Menengai Crater Nakuru: 1 Day Hiking
Tour is a full day trip to climb Menengai crater. Menengai crater is located 10 kilometers (6 miles) north of Nakuru, the fourth-biggest city in Kenya. The drive from Nairobi to Nakuru takes about 2.5 Hours. It takes another 10 minutes to drive from town to the foot of the crater where the Menengai Forest station offices are located.
Menengai crater is an extinct volcano and one of the world’s largest intact craters and it is 12 kilometers across and nearly 500 meter deep in places. The crater floor covers nearly 90 square kilometers.
While standing at the rim of the huge crater, one is able to have the view of the large stretch of the Northern Rift Valley in a panoramic view, having a glance at some of the mountains like the Tugen Hills, Mau, Aberdares, Mathews Range, the Cherenganyi and the Elgeyo-Marakwet escarpment.
More striking is the fact that at the crater, one is able to have the beautiful view of Lake Bogoria, Lake Nakuru and the beauty of the crater itself. The hike takes approximate 4 to 5 hours walk from the base of the crater to the rim and back.
Menengai Crater Nakuru 1 Day Hiking Tour hike begins down hill to the floor of the crater, a flat stretch, then a rocky, grassy uphill to the summit. It is a pleasant trip with breathtaking views into the crater as well as surrounding parts of the Rift Valley.
Various bird species as well as hyenas, baboons and dik dik can be spotted at the crater. The descent down the crater looks pretty easy. However, it is the long trek upwards that is torturous. You need to be an expert hiker to conquer it!
With its amazing scenery, Menengai crater is indeed one of the most attractive places in the Rift Valley. The hiking, trekking, camping and picnicking options available to the visitor offer the promise of a rewarding trip.
There are also caves that can be explored, but they tend to be frequented by those on religious pilgrimages. Our Menegai Crater Tour ends in Nairobi at 1900 Hours.
Menengai Crater Nakuru 1 Day Hiking Tour Itinerary:
0600h rs: Pick up from Racecourse as usual and depart for Menengai crater, Nakuru County
0800 Hrs: Stop Over at the View Point
0930 Hrs: Arrival at the Menengai Forest station Gate
1030Hrs: Begin hiking (approximate 4-5 hours) Hike is hard and challenging. You must be fit to finish the whole hike
1230 Hrs: Enjoy Packed Lunch box
1530Hrs: Begin your journey back to Nairobi
0630 Hrs: Arrival in Nairobi with fond Memories to Cherish for