Mt. Longonot hike from Nairobi: Crater rim and Rift Valley views

Climb to the crater rim and look down into the mountain's hollow center

This private 9-hour hiking day trip from Nairobi takes you 45 miles into Mt. Longonot National Park on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, where you climb through gulleys to the crater rim, look into the crater below, and stop at a viewpoint overlooking the rift valley escarpment. A local English-speaking guide, hotel pickup and park entrance fees are included. The hike requires moderate physical fitness and takes 3–4 hours up and down.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Lake Naivasha6h
2. Great Rift Valley1h

Hiking and sightseeing at Mt Longonot

• Optional boat ride on Lake Naivasha
• Hike up Mt Longonot to crater rim
• Rest at designated stops during hike
• Optional walk around crater rim
• Stop at Great Rift Valley viewpoint

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Nairobi hotel and a drive out to Mt. Longonot National Park, about 45 miles away on the rift valley floor. Once you arrive, you begin the hike up through the gulleys that run along the mountain's sides. The route is graded for moderate fitness. You'll find designated rest stops built into the trek, so you can pace yourself as you climb. The real payoff comes when you reach the rim of the crater and can look down into the hollow center of the mountain. If you have the energy left, you can walk around the rim itself for different angles into the crater.

On the way back down or after the hike, you stop at a viewpoint on the escarpment edge where the scale of the Great Rift Valley becomes clear. The rift system runs from the Red Sea through Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania, and from this high vantage point you can see across the valley floor to volcanic Mt. Suswa and the green undulating landscape below. The rift is an active volcanic zone with more than eight lakes, dormant and active volcanic mountains, hot springs and geysers scattered across it. This is the moment to take the photos that show what you came to see.

An optional boat ride on Lake Naivasha is available to add to the day (an hour on the water to watch African fish eagles dive for fish and see hippos in the hippo pool), though the boat fees are separate. Lunch can be purchased during the day. The whole outing, including the drive, hike and stops, runs about 11 hours door to door.

What’s included

• Local English-speaking guide leading the hike.
• hotel pickup and drop-off within Nairobi CBD.
• Mt. Longonot National Park entrance fees.
• designated rest stops on the trek.
• access to the crater rim and the Great Rift Valley escarpment viewpoint.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (12 to 70 years) · Child (8 to 11 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by PERFECT WILDERNESS TOURS AND SAFARIS

Is this one for you?The 11-hour commitment means a full day away from Nairobi, so plan accordingly if you have other activities scheduled. The hike itself takes 3–4 hours with rest stops built in, leaving time for the drive, the crater exploration and the rift valley viewpoint without rushing any of it.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (8 to 11 years). Children under 8 can't be included in the booking.

How long does it take to hike up Mt. Longonot and back down?

The hike up to the crater rim and back down takes 3–4 hours depending on your pace and how much time you spend at the rim. Rest stops are built into the route, so you can take breaks as needed.

What is the Great Rift Valley and what will I see from the viewpoint?

The Great Rift Valley is a massive geological system formed 5 million years ago that runs from the Red Sea through Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania. From the escarpment viewpoint, you look down across the rift valley floor and can see volcanic Mt. Suswa, multiple lakes, dormant and active volcanic mountains, and the green undulating landscape stretching across the valley.

Can I look inside the Mt. Longonot crater?

Yes, when you reach the crater rim, you can look down into the crater below. If you have the strength and time, you can also walk around the rim itself to see it from different angles.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a local English-speaking guide, hotel pickup and drop-off within Nairobi CBD, and Mt. Longonot National Park entrance fees. Lunch and the optional Lake Naivasha boat ride are available to purchase separately.

Can I add a boat ride on Lake Naivasha to this trip?

Yes, an optional one-hour boat ride on Lake Naivasha is available, where you can see African fish eagles diving for fish and hippos in the hippo pool. The boat ride fee is 25 USD per person and is paid separately.