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90 km from Nairobi on the Nairobi–Nakuru highway

Mount Longonot National Park

Information status: Verified

About Mount Longonot National Park

A national park of about 52 km² around a young volcano, 90 km from Nairobi on the Nairobi–Nakuru highway. Gazetted in 1983, its main draw is the challenging hike up to and around the crater rim.

Information status: Verified

Highlights

  • The crater rim hike, with wide views over the crater
  • A dense, secluded forest inside the crater
  • A young stratovolcano that last erupted in 1863
  • Its name comes from the Maasai Oloong'onot, the "mountain of spurs" or steep ridges
Information status: Verified

Suggested time

At least 1 day

Information status: Unconfirmed

Confirm before booking

  • Your fitness for a steep hike at altitude
  • Water and sun protection for the climb
  • Transport to and from the park gate

KenyaPlus does not yet hold verified data for these.

Park gates

Open 06:00 – 18:00

Mt. Longonot National Park (Kenya Wildlife Service): gates open at 06:00 and close at 18:00, unless you are spending the night inside the park. Plan the drive so you arrive before closing; the Reality Check works out when to leave.

Information status: Verified

When to go

Rain affects travel in Kenya, especially on unpaved roads. Here is the yearly pattern and the current forecast for Mount Longonot National Park, both from the Kenya Meteorological Department.

  1. January: between the rains.
  2. February: between the rains.
  3. March: long rains.
  4. April: long rains, expected peak.
  5. May: long rains.
  6. June: between the rains.
  7. July: between the rains.
  8. August: between the rains.
  9. September: between the rains.
  10. October: short rains.
  11. November: short rains.
  12. December: short rains.
  • Long rains
  • Short rains
  • Between the rains
  • Expected peak (2026 outlook)
Information status: Estimated

Forecast: October–December 2026

For Nakuru County, the Kenya Meteorological Department expects above-average rainfall in October–December 2026, with rains already falling from September and continuing into January.

Information status: Verified
Kenya's rainy seasons

More in our guide: Best time to visit Kenya.

Park entry fees

Information status: Verified

Mt. Longonot National Park — daily entry

Per person, per 24 hours. Children under 6 enter free.

Mt. Longonot National Park — daily entry: fees by visitor category
VisitorAdultChild
East African citizenKES 500KES 250
Kenya residentKES 675KES 350
African citizenUSD 20USD 10
Non-resident / foreign visitorUSD 50USD 25

Official KWS tariff "Conservation Fees 2025", supplied by the KenyaPlus owner and checked on 17 Oct 2026.

  • Listed by KWS with the scenic parks.
  • Entry is charged per person and is valid for one visit of up to 24 hours.
  • Children aged five and younger enter free; the child rate covers ages 5–17, and students up to 23 on an organised visit from their school or college.
  • Kenyan citizens aged 70 and over and persons with disability are exempt.
  • Vehicle charges are extra (from KES 600 a day for a vehicle with fewer than 6 seats), as are camping and activities.

Guides for Mount Longonot National Park

  • Mount Longonot: the crater rim hike

    A young volcano 90 km from Nairobi with a steep hike to the crater rim and a forest inside the crater — what the Kenya Wildlife Service says.

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Sources

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