Mount Longonot Day Tour Review: Is It Worth It?

So, are you thinking of taking a day trip from Nairobi to Mount Longonot? Maybe you’ve seen some really tempting pictures, or perhaps you’re just looking for an escape from the Nairobi buzz. This review is aimed at giving you the lowdown on what to expect, so you can decide if it’s the right kind of adventure for you. Is this trip just pretty good, or actually unforgettable? Let’s find out together!

Getting There and What to Expect on the Road

That drive from Nairobi towards Mount Longonot tends to be fairly interesting. The route usually goes via the Nairobi-Nakuru highway, a bit of a well-trodden path for those leaving the city. Expect it to be somewhat busy, especially if you’re heading out on a weekend or during any holidays.

What you will actually see out of your car window is very interesting. As you leave Nairobi, it slowly turns into open plains, offering peeks at local life. There are also a few viewpoints along the way where you can often pause to grab pictures of the Great Rift Valley, which is really expansive and grand. The drive typically clocks in at roughly 2 hours, maybe a little longer, just depending on traffic, to the park entrance.

Also, keep an eye out, and you might just spot some wildlife on the route, maybe some zebras or gazelles grazing nearby. The condition of the roads can sometimes vary, with patches that are pretty smooth and other sections a little bumpy, but overall, they are very passable. Just prepare to sit back, relax, and view that Kenyan landscape unfold.

The Hike: Difficulty, Scenery, and What to Bring

The hike up Mount Longonot can be moderately physically challenging, a little like pushing yourself just enough to feel that thrill, very rewarding as you go. It’s more or less 3.1 kilometers straight to the crater rim from the park gate. The start of the trail actually has some steep sections. So, that could get your heart racing straightaway. As you move forward, the terrain often varies between packed dirt trails and some rocky parts, so proper footwear makes all the difference.

Now, talking about views, that climb will show off fantastic scenes of the Great Rift Valley, a little like watching a painting come alive. You’ll also spot wildlife roaming about, and you’re likely to come across birds soaring above, so keep an eye peeled and ready for them. Many people usually reach the rim somewhere between 1 to 2 hours, very individual depending on pace and any stops taken for catching your breath or maybe capturing that ideal photograph.

What you might want to bring totally boils down to preparedness: loads of water, some snacks that pack well, sunscreen for definite, and also a hat because it can get seriously hot out there. Wearing layers is always an excellent idea because the weather can actually be a bit unpredictable. Climbing Mount Longonot isn’t just any walk. Instead, it is an engaging venture requiring appropriate gear to maximize both enjoyment and comfort.

Around the Crater Rim: A Walk to Remember?

So, once you get to the top of Mount Longonot, you can circle the rim itself. That’s another 7.2 kilometers, more or less like extending the hike for those who like an extra challenge. Quite a lot of hikers might feel done just after reaching the rim, yet going all around truly brings something unique.

The trail circling that rim really delivers incredible views into the crater, very lush green space teaming with steam vents from the geothermal activity deep below. At certain points, some sections get quite narrow and exposed, so it is a good thing to watch your footing, particularly if it feels windy. That total loop takes somewhere around 2 to 3 hours, given the condition and how frequently someone chooses to stop for views or maybe for photographs.

It is a good thing to note that circling can actually be more physically taxing than that climb up. Therefore, bring along plenty of water and snack options. Consider this choice in light of endurance. Circling presents not only physically extending any activity. However, getting amazing expansive perspective will usually not get shown any place.

Wildlife Encounters: What You Might See

When exploring Mount Longonot, you might come across different local residents, adding unexpected fun. Many hikers often notice animals such as zebras, giraffes from afar on slopes in certain greener parts round mount. Often, those tend pretty relaxed while close nearby wildlife due its safety, creating fantastic photographing spots.

Birds will impress anybody interested, having numerous species surrounding environments there. Raptors might come hovering overhead while small colorful kinds dart amidst bush. So, getting binoculars really improves sightings here for nature lovers eager seeing everything there.

But generally it is advised to hold a certain reasonable length out of all wildlife just for protection purposes. In feeding times, all actions interrupt their routines but rather should allow watching creatures and let nature grow by taking only amazing memorable times rather affecting settings locally.

Planning Your Trip: Costs, Guides, and Practical Tips

To actually get the most out from Longonot visits. Consideration includes factors covering expenses needed guide services that provide experiences but more essentially some handy tips assuring smooth experience round journey here

Entrance Fees typically run some $20-30 US Dollars, a little like entrance to other national parks locally and are normally settled directly down at the gates using Kenyan currency(KES). Taking some tour may total amount overall though taking package allows to group discounts but handles transport arrangement also providing knowledge via knowledgeable specialists for enriched time there during your stay around site place.

For guides who know about surrounding settings and wildlife there is advantages gained; some cost varies. Hiring offers information beyond visible including animal behavior, details of plant, providing any adventure bit richer besides secure specifically regarding the conditions change and for unexpected animals seen in vicinity.

Practical tips always useful:

Begin hike sometime soon because during the late morning sun rays heat very bad making journeys hard to tolerate given how the place heats extremely over those period
Bring a decent range water amount also a high strength SPF suntan cream in conjunction together, sunglasses to tackle reflecting lighting throughout route since those environments turn extremely sunny at that zone of geographic setting.
Clothes choice selection. Choose freely fit clothes because flexibility while walking plus putting further warmer layers, climate turns rapidly particularly going toward heightened top heights
Consider security. Bring fellows when heading alone though not needed so generally and ensure other guys, park administrators acknowledge travels while keep some call number nearby.

Having plan with above factors does certainly produce better enhanced as very rewarding encounter for visiting Mount.

In the end, is a day tour to Mount Longonot from Nairobi worthwhile? That’s very situational to those liking physical challenges merged wonderful landscape. Provided the ability of proper preparedness and expectation management for traffic including strenuous journey, this excursion stands high rewarding an exploration around natures beauty with spectacular views from start the ends, it’s not like anything regular really because it can easily become those journeys really leaving unforgettable things there in everyone mind sets!

Key Takeaways

Expect a 2-hour drive from Nairobi with scenic views of the Great Rift Valley.
The hike is moderately difficult, requiring good footwear and plenty of water.
The crater rim offers stunning views, but the walk can be challenging.
You might see zebras, giraffes, and various bird species.
Plan your trip in advance, considering costs, guides, and practical tips like starting early.