After my brief and muddy stay at SoySambu Conservancy, I headed south to Mount Longonot National Park (59 sq. mi.), established in 1983. As the name suggests, the Park is centered on Mount Longonot, which is a stratovolcano rising from the floor of the Great Rift Valley to a height of 9,108 ft. For the non-geologists among us, stratovolcanoes have relatively steep sides and are more cone-shaped than shield volcanoes. They are formed from viscous, sticky lava that does not flow easily. The lava therefore builds up around the vent forming a volcano with steep sides. Mount Longonot contains a large caldera formed by major eruptions some 21,000 years ago. Apparently, the volcano is still geologically active – yikes, with the last minor eruption occurring in the 1860s.
My campsite was the only public campsite in the Park, but I had it to myself. It was a decent spot at the base of the mountain and it had running water and a toilet, albeit trashy but functional. Here’s my campsite .
This Park was solely about hiking the mountain and caldera, but rather than describe the 9 mile hike up the mountain and around the rim of the caldera, let me take you on a musical slide show journey:
Mount Longonot hike (4 minutes)
On to my last stop, Mount Suswa Conservancy!
Can’t wait to see you at Suswa!
Must have been nice to finally get out and go for a hike….I will assume that there was no concerns for dangerous wildlife. And it also looks like you were the only one on your hike. Did you see anyone else out hiking?
It was great to stretch the old legs. No concerns for wildlife on the volcano. I left my campsite at 7:00 and didn’t see anybody until I got all the way around the caldera and met the trail back down to the campsite, at which time I met two school groups of 70+ students – yikes – and they all wanted a turn using my binoculars. Fortunately, i was saved by the teachers calling them to order after about 20-30 minutes. Love from Africa.
Nice hike. Did you pas any other hikers or wild animals in the hills/mountain? You must be meeting up with Mark and Kirsten today and then to their house I hear for your last week. Have a great end to your long journey through your 1st part of Africa. XXXOOO Joan
XXOO
Yes, it was a great hike. No other hikers, but when I got back to the trail descending off the caldera I met 2 school groups of 70+ students each and they all wanted to try my binoculars. Got saved by the teachers after 20-30 minutes. Met up with Mark and Kirsten and friends and had a great time. Will post that soon. Love ya.
Musical background made for a fun experience. Looks rather steep! It must’ve felt great to get out and stretch your legs. Any wildlife or birding? Onwards! Rick
Glad you enjoyed the musical slideshow, it was fun to make it. Yes indeed, the shield volcano has super steep slopes, especially on the inside of the caldera. Lots of cliff faces. Great to test out my legs and I will admit they felt like rubber by the end. No wildlife to speak but did see a few birds and pick up a new species or two. Cheers!