History

Derived from the Maasai word Oloonong'ot, meaning ‘Mountains of many spurs’ or ‘steep ridges’, the name Longonot is a title short of the stature of the mountain. Mt. Longonot National park is a stretch of 52 km2 mostly occupied by Mt. Longonot. Sending different powerful messages, Mt. Longonot is the talk of geologists in boardrooms as well as couples in bedrooms due to its unique features. On the sides, the mountain has beautiful V-shaped dales and ridges. The soil profile is rocky with sparse vegetation, save for a thick forest in the crater. The Maa sub tribe obtained numerous medicinal plants and grazing land for their cattle during the dry season from the crater forest, which also served as a fortress and safe haven in times of war.