位于内罗毕西北约90公里处的隆戈诺特山(Mount Longonot)海拔2776米,是东非大裂谷谷底最显眼的地理地标。这座死火山上一次喷发大约在19世纪60年代,如今它以近乎完美的圆形火山口和深邃的森林谷底吸引着无数徒步爱好者。从内罗毕出发只需不到两小时车程,非常适合作为探险一日游的首选。爬到山顶往下看,整个大裂谷的线条就在脚下铺开,视野甚至能穿过尘烟看到远处的奈瓦沙湖(Lake Naivasha)。
徒步的起点位于海拔约2150米的公园管理处,从这里到火山口边缘的距离大约3.1公里。前一公里坡度相对平缓,两旁长满了金合欢树,运气好的话能看到斑马和长颈鹿在灌木丛中游荡。随后坡度会陡然增加,尤其是在接近火山口的最后段落,很多地方是风化严重的火山灰碎石路,走起来比较费鞋。体力匀称的旅行者通常需要45分钟到1.5小时才能登顶。当你气喘吁吁爬上边缘的那一刻,眼前的景色会让你觉得刚才的汗水没白流。直径约1.8公里的火山口内部覆盖着茂密的原始森林,看起来像是一个被现代文明遗忘的失落世界。
抵达火山口边缘并不代表挑战结束。大多数硬核玩家会选择完成长达7.2公里的环火山口徒步。这条路全是沿山脊延伸的窄径,不仅考验平衡感,还得顶住大裂谷强劲的山风。建议采取逆时针方向绕行,这样可以更早攻下全山最高点。整个环线走下来大约需要2到3小时。沿途地貌变化非常丰富,一会儿是光秃秃的熔岩岩石,一会儿又是冒着硫磺味的微小喷气孔。下山时膝盖压力较大,建议侧身下行或者利用登山杖支撑,避免在松散的土坡上滑倒。
肯尼亚野生动物服务署(KWS)在2025年10月更新了收费标准,目前非居民成人的门票价格上调至50美元,非居民儿童为25美元。肯尼亚公民和东非居民的费用大约在500肯尼亚先令。需要特别注意的是,现在所有肯尼亚国家公园都不接受现场现金支付。你必须提前通过肯尼亚官方的eCitizen平台或KWSPay系统完成预付。由于山里手机信号不稳定,建议在内罗毕出发前就买好门票并保存好电子凭证。现场扫码入园时,系统偶尔会卡顿,最好预留出二十分钟的入场时间。
这里对塑料制品的管控非常严格。公园大门处的安检人员会仔细检查你的背包,严禁携带任何一次性塑料水瓶进入。如果带了普通矿泉水,通常会被要求倒进自备的耐用运动水壶里,或者在门口花100先令买一个简易的非塑料水壶。山上基本没有遮荫的地方,紫外线强度很高,宽檐帽和高倍数防晒霜是必需品。水分补给要带够,至少准备2到3升水,因为山上没有任何售卖物资的摊位。鞋子最好选抓地力强的中帮徒步鞋,普通平底运动鞋在陡峭的火山灰坡面上很容易打滑。
如果不打算包车或自驾,从内罗毕乘坐公共交通(Matatu)也是可行的方案。你可以前往市中心的OTC车站,乘坐开往奈瓦沙方向的小巴。跟售票员说明在Longonot下车,车费大约在300到500肯尼亚先令之间。下车点距离公园大门还有几公里的土路,路边有很多摩的(Boda Boda)在等客,花大约150先令就能把你送到售票处。考虑到下山后的体力和回程车的频率,建议早上七点左右就从市区出发,这样能避开中午最毒辣的太阳,下午三点前就能结束战斗。
如果你的体能和时间都充裕,完全可以把隆戈诺特山和旁边的地狱之门国家公园(Hell’s Gate National Park)串在一起。这两个地方距离很近,地狱之门可以骑自行车游览,风格更加轻快。很多旅行者会选择第一天爬隆戈诺特山,晚上住在奈瓦沙湖畔的营地,第二天再去湖上划船看河马,最后去地狱之门骑行。这样两天的行程既有高强度的攀登,又有休闲的生态观察,算得上是肯尼亚短途旅行里的黄金路线。
属于中等难度。从大门到火山口边缘的垂直爬升高度约600多米,路面多为碎石和火山灰。如果你只是走到火山口边缘并返回,普通体力的成人约需3小时。如果要走完7.2公里的环线,总路程会达到13公里以上,对耐力有一定要求。建议带着7岁以上的孩子参与,太小的孩子在陡坡段会非常吃力。
能看到但数量不算极多。在山脚下的灌木区,你经常能偶遇斑马、长颈鹿、水牛和瞪羚。火山口内部的森林里居住着一些灵长类动物和珍稀鸟类。由于这里以徒步为主,动物通常会保持距离,建议随身带一个小型望远镜。遇到水牛时要格外小心,最好跟随公园向导或成群结队行动。
每年的1月到2月以及6月到10月是最佳窗口期,这段时间属于旱季。雨季时山路会变得非常湿滑,火山灰混水后会变成粘稠的泥浆,增加爬坡难度。即便在旱季,也推荐清晨八点左右开始徒步。到了中午十一点之后,地表温度升高且没有任何植被遮盖,脱水的风险会大大增加。
Stefanie Vandeweyer One of my favourite activities in the area! A must do 😃. Beautiful views! It’s an amazing hike around the volcano. Make sure to bring enough water. Note that you are not allowed to bring plastic water bottles. You can buy reusable bottles at the gate (150kenyan). The payment via E-Citizen was a bit of a struggle. Since the visa payment didn’t go through. Same issue happened for some other travellers… I would recommend to book it in advance, so you don’t lose time at the gate.
Calvin Majau Mt Longonot is a must-visit for any hiking enthusiast. Starting the hike in the morning is highly advisable as the sun can be quite intense later in the day. It is also the best time to enjoy the cool breeze and stunning views of the surrounding landscape. One thing to remember is to carry sufficient snacks and water to reward yourself once you reach the summit. The hike to the top can be quite strenuous, especially the last stretch to Kilele Summit. However, the feeling of accomplishment and the breathtaking views from the top make it all worth it. The first part of the hike around the rim of the volcano is relatively easy, but the real challenge comes when you start the ascent to the summit. It requires a good level of fitness and determination, but once you reach the top, the sense of achievement is unmatched. Overall, Mt Longonot offers a challenging yet rewarding hiking experience. Starting the hike in the morning, carrying enough snacks, and being prepared for a strenuous climb are key to enjoying this amazing adventure.
Holger Großmann We arrived early on a Sunday morning. Not a lot of hikers at that time. When we headed down from the rim again, there were plenty of people hiking up and they are leaving a significant amount of trash behind. Other than that it’s definitely worth to hike to the rime and around the crater, stunning views and a nice day trip.
studio eleven (studio.eleven2020) One of the best experience of hiking. Please carry enough water and food if you want to hike circuit of crater rim. Toilets at the gate are very clean There is breakfast shop and bar at the gate, For local it's 350ksh or tourist 37 USD. Of you take guide from 1k to 3k ( for complete rim hike). Park fee you have to pay via e-citizen portal.
eric mwangi The views into the crater are totally worth the trek up the mountain. On the way you might spot some zebra, giraffe and eland which is quite cool. Pace yourself in the hike and make sure you carry lots and lots of water since the sun gets quite hot and. The altitude can make it a bit challenging for newbies and kids, but with a little stretching and preparation you are good to go. There are some concrete steps on one section that can get a bit slippery from the dust so watch out when you get there. The good thing is there is a gazebo that provides some much needed shade. It's also a great spot to catch up with other hikers as they come up or descend.