MOUNTAIN LONGONOT NATIONAL PARK.
This national park is among the national parks that are least visited in Kenya yet is among the fascinating national parks in Kenya. The national park is having an area of 59 square miles/ 154square kilometers
Mountain Longonot National Park is found in the Lake Naivasha regions and got its name from Mountain Longonot that is found within. This national park. Mountain Longonot is 2776meters and the name Longonot is derived from the Maasai words that means Steep Ridges or mountain of spurs. On top of this park include. The national park has calderas on top i.e. the one that measurers 5miles by 7.5 miles located near the top of the mountain. The actual cone of the volcano is topped with another crater that measuring 1.12miles by 1.8km across.
The crater floor is covered with trees and steam vents can be found along the walls of the crater too.
Some of the wildlife include, buffalos, giraffes, hartebeest, Thomson’s gazelle and the zebras and bird species.
Location of the park.
Mountain Longonot National Park is located in the southwestern region of Kenya. the national park is found 37.2 kilometers away from Nairobi city
Some of the attractions at mountain Longonot National Park
The crater rim of Mountain Longonot
There exist a perfect and magnificent view for the geothermal steam coming out from several fissures along the crater rim, then the reminder of the energy traps beneath your feet.
Wildlife and Bird existence.
This national park has a selective wildlife view that can be viewed as heading to see other attractions. The animals around the park include, Giraffes, Zebras, antelopes, and some baboons.
There is a number of bird species mostly within the rift valley and some of the common species include, Verreaux’s eagle and lammergeyer.
Scenery of the park
The national park has the volcanic features that offer a good scenic view. Because the side is the rift valley, this gives a good looking view that visitors shouldn’t miss. Lake Naivasha its self within the park has a good view mountain Longonot all has good views
Activities offered by Mountain Longonot National Park.
Mountain climbing
For the hikers who are interested in mountain climbing this could be a chance for you having the best experience seeing raising and falling range from and to the peak. The hike is so fantastic. During the hike, animals like buffalos, giraffes, baboon and monkeys, antelopes are seen. During the hike lake Naivasha with a good scene is seen and many other attractions while on the walk
Bird watching.
Bird watching around the lake Naivasha and near the Rift Valley are seen though the number of species is not seeming to be so high like other national parks and some of the species include, Verreaux’s eagles, parrots. Lammergeyer and others
Mountain Bike cycling
Because the place is rugged, mountain cycling is very interesting with well created circuit trail toward the volcanic features for about 2 kilometers.
There are also other activities like wild life viewing. The common animals to be viewed include baboons, monkeys, giraffes, and others
ACCOMODATION FACILITIES AT MOUNTAIN LONGONOT NATIONAL PARK.
Inside the national park there only one accommodation facility though many are around the park
The Olononot campsite, that is located just inside the park entrance along the access road to the crater This campsite offers a variety of goodies, the tents flashed toilets. There are also other facilities nearby town of Naivasha and along the Moi south of the road i.e., Naivasha country club, Mamsade Hotel and many others.
How to get to mountain Longonot National park
By using road, the tarmac rod from Nairobi90 km then to Longonot village. From the village it takes 3 hours to 5.and half hours to the gate of the park
Taking a plane from Jomo Kenyatta national park or Wilson airport will take about 30 minutes to 40 with a distance of 71km.
