Mount Longonot may be best known for its steep crater hike, but it’s also a thriving natural ecosystem. From rocky ridgelines patrolled by eagles to thick inner-crater forest hiding antelope and buffalo, this volcanic park in Kenya’s Rift Valley holds more biodiversity than meets the eye. Here’s what you’ll find, hear, and maybe even spot as you hike.
🦓 What Wildlife Can You See in Mount Longonot?
Mount Longonot National Park is home to a variety of wild mammals, many of which are elusive and shy due to the park’s low human presence.
Commonly Seen:
- Zebras – grazing on the lower slopes and grasslands near the gate
- Buffaloes – often seen near the crater rim forest or inside the crater
- Baboons – active around the gate and trail base
- Warthogs – trotting through open clearings
- Rock hyraxes – sunning themselves on rocks along the rim
Occasionally Spotted:
- Giraffes – especially in the outer plains beyond the park boundary
- Grant’s gazelles and antelopes – quick-footed and alert
- Jackals – often heard howling at dusk
- Porcupines and mongooses – nocturnal but leave tracks behind
🦁 There are no lions, leopards, or elephants in the park, making it a safe space for unguided hiking.
🐦 Birdwatching in Mount Longonot
Mount Longonot is a Rift Valley birdwatching hotspot, especially for raptors and savannah species. Over 100 species have been recorded in and around the crater.
Birds to Watch For:
- Augur buzzards – soaring above the rim, often seen gliding on thermals
- Verreaux’s eagles – nesting in cliff crevices and scanning the crater below
- Secretary birds – striding through open grasslands
- White-headed barbet – heard more than seen in the forested rim
- Sunbirds (various) – including the stunning variable sunbird
- Grey-headed sparrows, weavers, and starlings – around the gate area
Tips for Birders:
- Bring binoculars or a long-zoom camera
- Best viewing times: early morning or late afternoon
- Check the crater forest for hidden gems and canopy birds
- Visit during migration seasons (March–April, October) for surprises
🐤 The combination of altitude, forest, and open plains attracts both highland and lowland species.
🌱 The Flora of Mount Longonot
Despite its dry, rocky appearance, Mount Longonot has a resilient plant community adapted to volcanic soil, altitude, and fluctuating weather.
Vegetation Zones:
- Lower Slopes – Dry bushland with acacia, cactus, and grasses
- Trail Forest Section – Shrubs, wild olive, crotons, and hardy underbrush
- Crater Rim – Sparse, wind-beaten vegetation, mainly shrubs and volcanic lichens
- Crater Interior – A surprisingly lush, green forest with tall trees, vines, and ground cover
Common Plants:
- Acacia tortilis (umbrella thorn)
- Euphorbia candelabrum (giant cactus-like succulent)
- Croton megalocarpus – fast-growing native tree
- Wild fig trees and sycamores in wetter crater zones
🌋 The forest inside the crater is largely undisturbed, creating a small microclimate of biodiversity.
🐾 Animals You Might Encounter at Mount Longonot
If you’re quiet and observant, you’ll likely encounter signs of wildlife — if not the animals themselves.
What to Look For:
- Tracks in the dusty trail (buffalo, warthog, hyena prints)
- Scat or dung near water points or shady spots
- Nests or burrows in the cliff faces or rock outcrops
- Bones or horns scattered along animal paths (often buffalo)
Animal Safety Note:
- Buffaloes can be dangerous if startled. Give them space.
- Baboons may approach for food — never feed them.
- Carry a whistle or walk in groups for extra caution.
🧭 Most animals avoid humans — early morning or dusk are the best times for sightings.
🚶 Walking Mount Longonot’s Nature Trails
If you’re not up for the full summit or crater loop, Longonot still offers gentle nature walks for visitors interested in flora, geology, and photography.
Easy Nature Walk Options:
- Gate to Forest Trail (~1.5 km) – gentle incline, good for birding and wildflowers
- Rimline Short Loop – partial hike to the rim and back, with scenic stop points
- Base Trails (outside the park gate) – often used by wildlife and great for photography
Great For:
- Families with kids
- Elderly hikers
- Birdwatchers and photographers
- Education and nature study groups
🌳 Guided nature walks can also be arranged at the KWS gate for groups.
🌍 Understanding Mount Longonot’s Ecosystem
Mount Longonot is a dormant stratovolcano, and its ecosystem reflects this unique volcanic history. The interaction between geology, altitude, and Rift Valley climate has created a self-contained habitat unlike any other in Kenya.
Key Ecosystem Features:
- Volcanic soil – rich in minerals, supports fast plant regrowth
- Inner crater forest – protected from wind, home to rare birds and shy wildlife
- Rim exposure – harsh winds shape hardy shrubs and grasses
- Rain catchment – the crater collects rainfall, feeding underground springs
- No large predators – allows for safe wildlife growth and human exploration
📚 Longonot is an outdoor classroom for studying how landforms influence biodiversity.
✅ Final Thoughts: A Living Volcano
Mount Longonot may not roar with lava anymore, but it’s teeming with life — from high-flying eagles and zebra herds to resilient shrubs and cool crater forests. Hiking here isn’t just about reaching the summit — it’s about noticing the tracks on the trail, the birds overhead, the whisper of leaves in a volcanic breeze.
Take your time, look closely, and you’ll discover a wild world hidden in the bones of a volcano.