I recently climbed a mountain. No small feat for this couch potato. Ok so Mt. Longonot is not the highest mountain in the world but it’s a mountain none the less. The highest point of the mountain is the rim of the caldera, which is about 3321 m above seal level. The climb took a toll on me (do not climb a mountain carrying those big handbags that fit everything plus the kitchen sink! And stay hydrated!!) but the scenery was worth it.
Mt. Longonot is protected by the Kenya Wildlife Service as part of Mount Longonot National Park. The mountain is the main physical feature of the national park hence the name Mt. Longonot National Park but this does not mean the park has nothing else going for it. For one it is approximately 85km North West of Nairobi so you can get to the park in two hours from the capital city, climb the mountain and be back in time for lunch!
The park is also home to various species of wildlife notably zebra, giraffe, elands, thompsons gazelles, grants gazelles, guinea fowls, buffaloes and at least 400 different species of birds. We actually saw some buffalo and zebra while climbing the mountain.
Once at the top of the mountain we walked round the rim. A forest of small trees covers the crater floor, and small steam vents are found spaced around the walls of the crater. It is such a beautiful sight. I recommend visiting Mt. Longonot National Park to anyone. We left the hustle and bustle of the city for a few hours, climbed a mountain, saw some wildlife and had an amazing picnic without breaking our bank accounts or driving for hours.
Next challenge: climbing Mt. Kenya maybe? I hear it’s an excursion unlike any other…
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