Mount Longonot
Mlima Longonot
Mount Longonot is a stratovolcano located in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya, approximately 60 kilometers northwest of Nairobi. Rising to a height of 2,776 meters (9,108 feet), the mountain is part of Mount Longonot National Park, which is managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service. The name "Longonot" is derived from the Maasai word "Oloonong'ot," which means "mountains of many spurs" or "steep ridges." The volcano's most striking feature is its large caldera, formed by a series of eruptions. The caldera measures about 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) in diameter and has a forested floor. Hiking up Mount Longonot is a popular activity, offering panoramic views of the Rift Valley and Lake Naivasha. The trek involves a steep climb to the crater rim, followed by a challenging but rewarding circumnavigation of the crater itself. Mount Longonot last erupted in the mid-19th century, and although it is considered dormant, geothermal activity is still evident, with fumaroles and steam vents along the crater floor.
