Mount Longonot is not just a hike — it’s a visual feast. Towering above the Great Rift Valley with its dramatic crater rim, sweeping vistas, and changing light, it offers some of the most stunning photography spots in Kenya. Whether you’re shooting on a smartphone, DSLR, or drone, this guide will help you capture Longonot’s best angles.
🌅 Best Sunrise Spots at Mount Longonot
If you’re an early riser, sunrise at Mount Longonot is magic. Watching the golden light spill over the Rift Valley, paint the crater walls, and cut through morning mist is a memory you’ll want to frame.
Top Sunrise Spots:
- Eastern Rim (near the Summit)
- First to catch the light
- Overlooks the crater with Naivasha in the distance
- Rim Entry Point (North Side)
- Less steep and easier to reach
- Great for wide-angle shots of the inner crater lighting up
Tips:
- Arrive by 6:00 AM for peak lighting
- Use a tripod for stable long exposures in early light
- Bring extra batteries — cold morning air drains them faster
- Neutral density filters help balance light and shadow contrasts
📸 For hikers, sunrise is best paired with camping nearby or staying in Naivasha and departing before dawn.
🚁 Can You Fly a Drone at Mount Longonot?
Yes — but with limitations. Mount Longonot is a national park managed by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), and flying drones here requires prior permission.
What You Need to Know:
- KWS Permit Required: Apply in advance for drone use
- Fees apply, and your purpose must be non-invasive (tourism, research, etc.)
- Avoid flying over wildlife or hikers
- Respect other visitors’ peace — early morning or off-peak hours are best
Best Aerial Shots:
- Top-down views of the full crater loop
- Cinematic tracking shots along the rim
- Pull-away shots from summit to surrounding plains
🛰️ If you do get permission, your footage will be spectacular — Longonot’s geometry is perfect from the sky.
🌄 Most Instagrammable Views at Mount Longonot
Looking for shots that wow your followers? Mount Longonot has no shortage of Instagram-worthy moments.
Don’t-Miss Spots:
- Rim-edge shot with crater backdrop
- Summit rock perch looking out over Lake Naivasha
- Wild, windswept hair shot on the ridge during golden hour
- Shadow-and-light contrast shots along the loop trail
Popular Hashtags:
- #MountLongonot
- #HikeKenya
- #VolcanoVibes
- #RiftValleyViews
- #ChasingCraterDreams
📲 Portrait mode, panoramic mode, and Reels all work well here. Drones and GoPros take it next level.
🕳️ Where to Find the Best Crater Views at Mount Longonot
The massive crater is the volcano’s crown jewel — and getting the best angle matters.
Top Viewpoints:
- Southwestern Rim
- Deepest view into the forested caldera
- Best perspective of the inner crater’s symmetry
- Summit (East Side)
- High point gives a commanding wide shot
- Best place for panorama and time-lapse
- Northwestern Rim
- Good for late afternoon light
- Faces west and offers lake backdrops
Pro Tip:
Use polarizing filters to cut haze and boost contrast in wide crater shots. Wide-angle lenses (10–24mm) work best for capturing the full scope.
🦓 How to Photograph Wildlife in Mount Longonot
While not a wildlife hotspot like Maasai Mara, Longonot does have its quiet residents — and if you’re patient, you can get some fantastic wildlife shots.
Common Wildlife:
- Zebras and buffaloes (lower slopes and plains)
- Gazelles and warthogs
- Birds of prey (kites, eagles, vultures)
- Rock hyraxes and lizards on the rim
Photography Tips:
- Bring a zoom lens (200mm–600mm) for bird and mammal photography
- Visit early morning or late afternoon for better light and active animals
- Use quiet shutter or burst mode to catch quick movement
- Stay low and still — you’ll see more
🔍 Look for raptor nests on rock ledges and buffalo trails near the lower park area.
🌇 Sunset Photography Guide for Mount Longonot
While sunrise is stunning, sunset casts a golden glow across the western rim and beyond — great for moodier, softer shots.
Best Sunset Spots:
- Northwest Rim — with Lake Naivasha in view
- Crater entrance point — easy to reach, good west-facing exposure
- Lower trail looking back at the volcano — silhouette shot of Longonot at dusk
Tips:
- Use golden hour settings (low ISO, wide aperture, slow shutter)
- Try silhouette shots of hikers against the crater backdrop
- Sunset behind the volcano also creates great sky gradient images
🌄 Stick around 15–20 minutes after sunset for “blue hour” magic.
✅ Final Tips for Capturing Longonot
💧 Hydrate & rest between shots — photography adds time to the hike
🎒 Protect your gear from dust — volcano trails can be gritty
🎥 Mix video and stills — the crater wind and sweeping views are cinematic
🔋 Bring extra batteries & SD cards — the crater eats both quickly
📸 Why Mount Longonot Is a Dream for Photographers
Mount Longonot isn’t just a hike — it’s a natural film set. The lighting changes fast, the textures are dramatic, and every rim view feels like a scene from another planet.
Whether you’re chasing sunrise gold, drone loops, crater shadows, or wildlife detail, Longonot offers the perfect canvas for your lens — and stories your followers won’t stop talking about.