Hiking Mount Longonot
Mount Longonot is the volcano you see rising from the Rift Valley plain near Lake Naivasha. It is a well-known hike in the area. A trail leads from the gate to the crater rim, and a second path runs around the rim. Below you lies the crater floor.
Mount Longonot National Park is run by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). You pay the park entry fee to KWS, not to a tour company. A guided tour adds transport and a guide. Check whether the entry fee is part of the price before you book.
Our picks: Mount Longonot hikes
The full-day tour with the park entry, the boat and lunch in the price is the easiest to plan. The other two are the cheaper way up, and the park entry is extra there.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Full day: Mount Longonot hike and Naivasha boat ride
- Park entry included
- Lake Naivasha boat ride
- Lunch included
A full day with the park entry, the boat and lunch already in the price. Groups are limited to 15 people.
Check availability →
Guided Mount Longonot hike with options
- Local hiking guide
- Safety briefing
- Climb to the crater rim
The walk around the crater and a private boat safari on the lake are options you choose when you book. The park entry is extra.
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Mount Longonot hike from Nairobi
- Hotel or airport transfer
- English-speaking driver-guide
- Private vehicle
A day trip to the volcano hike, with water included. The park entry is extra, and the boat ride on Lake Naivasha is not part of this tour.
Check availability →Mount Longonot and Lake Naivasha tours
Guided hikes and day trips in the area, with live prices and availability.
Mount Longonot National Park
What the park is and how the volcano is built.
The area became a national park in 1983 and covers about 52 km². Hikes lead around the wooded crater. The summit stands at 2,776 m. That figure is the highest point, not the height of the whole rim and not the climb from the gate.
The volcano last erupted around 1863, give or take about five years. That is recent in geological terms, so do not call it extinct. Today the visit is a walk, with the crater floor in view from the rim.
Where it fits in your trip
Longonot works as a half-day or full-day hike on a Lake Naivasha trip. Many visitors combine it with a Lake Naivasha boat ride on another day, because the hike takes a large part of the day. The nearby Hell's Gate National Park uses the same KWS fee categories.
Longonot hike: distance, time and what to carry
Plan for the full loop, and leave time to get back before closing.
Distance
From Mount Longonot Gate to the crater rim is about 3.1 km. The walk around the crater is about 7.2 km. If you return by the same trail, plan for roughly 13 km in total.
Time
Allow 4 to 7 hours for the climb and the rim loop, depending on fitness and stops. Allow more time rather than less. The park closes at 18:00.
What to carry
Bring water, food, sun protection and proper walking shoes. Do not count on buying anything on the mountain.
Park rules
Stay on the trails. Single-use plastic is not allowed. Do not feed wildlife. Keep at least 20 m from animals.
Ranger-guided walks
KWS prices ranger-guided security tours per ranger: KES 2,000 for up to 4 hours and KES 4,000 for longer, with at least two rangers. Ask at the gate which option fits your route.
Rain
The long rains run roughly from March to May and the short rains from October to December. Local conditions differ, so check the forecast before you go.
Naivasha weather →Mount Longonot entry fee 2026
KWS rates for one entry per person, valid for up to 24 hours. The tariff changed on 1 October 2025.
| Visitor status | Adult | Child or eligible student |
|---|---|---|
| East African Citizen | KES 500 | KES 250 |
| Kenya Resident | KES 675 | KES 350 |
| African Citizen outside the EAC | $20 | $10 |
| Non-resident | $50 | $25 |
For most overseas visitors the non-resident rate applies: $50 per adult and $25 per child. Residents need proof of residence. Students pay the student rate up to age 23 on an organised, documented educational visit.
Vehicle charge per day
Under 6 seats KES 600. Six to 12 seats KES 1,500. Thirteen to 24 seats KES 3,000. Twenty-five to 44 seats KES 4,500. From 45 seats KES 5,000.
Who is exempt
Kenyan citizens aged 70 and over, people with disabilities, and registered drivers, guides, crew and porters. Children up to 5 years are exempt, while the child rate starts at 5. For a five-year-old, ask at the gate which applies.
How to pay
KWS asks you to pay in advance through KWSPay or eCitizen. M-Pesa, Visa and bank transfer are also accepted. Do not plan on paying cash at the gate. Check the current tariff on the KWS website before you travel.
Plan the rest of your trip
Other stops around the lake.
Mount Longonot: frequently asked questions
How long does the Mount Longonot hike take?
Plan 4 to 7 hours for the climb and the walk around the crater rim. The gate to the rim is about 3.1 km and the crater loop about 7.2 km. Your pace, the heat and your stops change the time.
How much is the Mount Longonot entry fee?
Non-residents pay $50 per adult and $25 per child. Kenya Residents pay KES 675 per adult and KES 350 per child. East African Citizens pay KES 500 and KES 250. Rates are those of the KWS tariff in 2026 and are for one entry within 24 hours.
Do I need a guide for Mount Longonot?
Ranger-guided walks are available at a set price per ranger. Ask at the gate or when you pay about the current rules for your route.
Is the fee the same as at Hell's Gate?
Both parks belong to the KWS scenic parks category and use the same visitor categories and rates. Each park charges its own entry.
Can I pay at the gate?
KWS asks visitors to pay in advance through KWSPay or eCitizen, or by M-Pesa, Visa or bank transfer. Do not plan on cash at the gate.
Is this site the official Mount Longonot website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by KWS, Nakuru County or any tour operator. For the current tariff and rules, use the KWS website.