Wandering in the Wild on Mt Suswa
Mt Suswa is a haven for people who enjoy a little thrill. Sometimes challenging hiking trails are not enough to make the weekend a little more memorable. Mt Suswa sits in the Rift Valley along with other geographical marvels. It is a formidable fixture of the Rift Valley where human beings enjoy more than just the challenging hiking trails.
Key Attractions
- Mt Suswa is a volcanic mountain that boasts, not one, but two craters.
- The inner crater has a forest in it which is not just decorative but functional as well. Part of the challenging hiking trail is inside the crater. Imagine the thrill of walking in a crater while there is still some volcanic activity inside. It is a little scary and also quite the adventure.
- The forest is home to numerous wild life.
- There are caves which are believed to have been left behind by volcanic activity. An interesting thing about these caves is that they are home to baboons at night and bats during the day.
- The Maasai lived at the foot of the mountain. They graze their livestock inside the crater forest. They have found an ingenious way to keep it all green and lush even during dry seasons. They use pipes to condense steam from the volcanic activity into water.
- There is just so much to see on and in the mountain itself that you might forget to look around and enjoy the view. So, make a point of looking out into the horizon while you are up there.
Challenge Level
Mt Suswa is one of those moderately challenging hiking trails that do not fit descriptions. It is a one of a kind experience. There is a lot to see but do not be so excited about camping inside a crater that you forget that this is something you have to work up to. Build your endurance before you go up there.
Logistics
The central meeting point is on the benches near Bata Hilton Nairobi CBD. From there, we head out to Narok. The journey to the starting point is about three hours long.
What do you need for the trail?
- Hiking boots
- Trekking pole
- Sunscreen and sun hat
- Headlamp
- Backpack
- Snacks such as nuts, granola bars, fruits, fresh juice,
- 3 Litres of water (bring a reusable water bottle or a hydration pack)
Here’s a list of resources for hiking gear you can check out.
Hiking Gear Vendors – Lets Drift
Can you bring your kids with you?
No. The trail is not child friendly
Now that you know about Mt Suswa, we hope to see you on the trails!
Similar trails
For lovers of challenging hiking trails and unique weekend experiences, similar trails to Mt Suswa are:
Mt Longonot and Mt Kenya
