National park · Kenya
Mount Longonot National Park
Enter Mount Longonot for KES 300 ≈ $2 per person, hike the 6‑hour Corona ridge loop early (before 9 am) in the dry season (Jun–Oct) to avoid heat and crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
100 km² (39 sq mi)39 sq mi (100 km²)
approximate
Established
1995
Best months
Jun–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 12Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Kenya ↗Apply for the Kenya eTA only on the official portal (etakenya.go.ke) at least 3 working days before you fly; lookalike sites charge double. Most African passports have been exempt since 2025.
- Kenya ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention and check whether a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for your route, including transits.
- Kenya ↗Plastic carrier bags are banned; leave shop and duty-free plastic bags behind before you fly in.
- Kenya ↗Light aircraft to the parks have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator and leave a hard case in Nairobi.
- Southern Rift Valley ↗Kenya eTA is required before arrival; file it at least a week ahead.
- Southern Rift Valley ↗Drive on the left. The A104 Nairobi–Nakuru road is the main artery; matatus on it are fast and frequently unroadworthy.
- Southern Rift Valley ↗Kenya Wildlife Service park fees are paid per person per day and are higher for non-residents; check the current payment method on the KWS site before you travel.
At a glance
- Country
- Kenya
- Area
- 100 km² (39 sq mi)39 sq mi (100 km²)
- check
- Established
- 1995
- Best months
- Jun–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Mount Longonot is an extinct volcano near Lake Naivasha offering a 6‑hour ridge loop with crater views, accessible as a day‑trip from Nairobi.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1995.
Size and age
100 km² (39 sq mi)39 sq mi (100 km²) · national park since 1995
check
Why go
- A volcanic crater walk with ridge views over Lake Naivasha and the Rift Valley.
- Close to Nairobi, making it a convenient day‑trip for hikers.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanCool and dry.
- FebCool and dry.
- MarShort rains may start.
- AprRainy, hotter.
- MayIncreasing heat, occasional showers.
- JunDry, cooler mornings.
- JulDry, ideal hiking weather.
- AugDry, clear skies.
- SepDry, pleasant.
- OctDry, still warm.
- NovShort rains may begin.
- DecRainy, hotter.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birds (e.g., raptors, waterfowl)Mar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Leopards (rare sightings)All year · Keep distance; avoid walking alone at night. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park gate | Entrance, ticket office, basic shop, start of the Corona trail. | Open to visitors with a ticket. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the park; exact gate location may vary.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | KES 300 | person | 2026 estimate (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Crater access permit or guide
Park rules
- Ranger escort
- Required to enter the crater rim; arrange at the gate.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the park; stay in Naivasha towns.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use designated grills only.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are limited.
Where to stay
Near the park
Naivasha town
Budget lodges, guesthouses and campsites 5 km (3.1 mi) from the gate.Budget lodges, guesthouses and campsites 3.1 mi (5 km) from the gate.
Near the park
Lake Naivasha resorts
Mid‑range hotels with lake views, 10 km (6.2 mi) away.Mid‑range hotels with lake views, 6.2 mi (10 km) away.
Safety
Heat and sun exposure medium
Steep crater sections high
Wildlife (leopards) low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Gate area reachable by car; short walk to trailhead.
- Ridge sections involve steep, uneven terrain; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out all waste; use refillable water bottles.
- Support local Naivasha businesses for food and accommodation.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Mount Longonot National Park?
Entry is KES 300 per person (2026 estimate, check).
What are the best hikes in Mount Longonot National Park?
The Corona ridge loop (5–6 h) and the short crater rim walk (1–2 h) are the main routes.
When is the best time to visit Mount Longonot National Park?
Dry months June to October offer clear skies and cooler mornings; January–February are also good.
Do I need a guide to hike the crater?
Yes, a park ranger must accompany you on any crater rim entry.
Can I camp inside the park?
No, camping is prohibited; stay in nearby Naivasha towns.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Mount Longonot National Park
Loading…
Was this useful?