THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO MOUNT SUSWA
Mount Suswa is a shield volcano in the Great Rift Valley, Kenya. It is located between Narok and Nairobi. The northeast part of Mount Suswa is in Narok, and the eastern and southern parts are in Kajiado.
Mount Suswa is 2356m, or 7730ft, above sea level. The Maasai Community manages the conservancy. The road leading to it is Murram Road; you will need a 4WD or a 4×4 car to access it.
What is a shield volcano? A shield volcano are volcanoes with gentle slopes and are shaped like a warrior shield lying flat on the earth.
They are shaped like a convex since they are flatter near the summit. Shield volcanoes are constructed of basaltic or andesitic lava flows, which were very fluid when erupted.
The shield volcanoes are built by repeated eruptions that occur at irregular intervals over a vast period.
THE HISTORY OF MOUNT SUSWA
Mount Suswa has an interesting history of eruptions that happened a million years ago. Mount Suswa has erupted two times. The first eruption formed the outer crater, which is also the outer ring. The second eruption formed the inner crater.
There are caves at Mount Suswa which were formed after the second eruption. An attraction you should look up to explore in your visit here.
The second eruption a million years ago led to the formation of over 76 caves with unique and different features. The mountain is now dormant, so do not worry; it cannot erupt on your visit there. The dormant state is due to the start outlet of the steam coming from the ground.
The outlet is the main source of water to the entire community. It is harvested using pipes. You will come across one steam vent closer to the summit.
MOUNT SUSWA HIKE
As you plan your visit to Mount Suswa, come prepared to go for long hikes. The long hikes are hiked all around the rim. The short hike is two hours to and fro the first peak in the inner crater.
The highest summit is a 5-hour walk, and from the first peak is a 2-hour walk, making it a total of a 7-hour hike. The inner crater is divided into two. From the first peak in the inner crater to the highest peak, there is a rim connecting to the high summit. There is a caldera shaped like a U-shape and very deep.
You can also start your hike from the bottom of the mountain, where there is a school, Suswa Primary School. There is another trail that starts off from Duka Moja.
There is no proper trail to access the summit of Mount Suswa. You can access it from the north or northeast. You can get to the peak on foot using the rauch trail.
MOUNTAIN SUSWA TRAILS AND THEIR DIFFICULTY
When you drive all the way to the campsite, you can start your hike from there. The campsite is on a flat summit with a view of the inner crater and the highest peak on the opposite side.
From this point, the trail starts off in a shaded trail. The shade is given by the acacia trees on the side of the trail. The trail will continue on to a rocky area as you continue hiking. The view of the inner crater as you go around it is just amazing.
You can choose to do the short hike only which is to and fro the the first peak and takes 2 hours or the long hike to the highest peak. You can even explore more and go round the entire rim of the inner crater.
Come prepared to climb rocks since some of the trails are really rocky. The vegetation along the trail is a combination of acacia tree and tuff grass. Even before you reach the first summit, you can see Mount Longonot from afar, a must-visit destination for another amazing hike.
You can also see the Aberdare Ranges from afar. The view from the first summit is just amazing. You get to see the crater from another view.
The hills, other peaks, and vegetation cover down the crater to the peaks on the other side. It is just beautiful. Words cannot explain; you need to see it yourself to believe.
You will also get to see the steam vent where they trap water. There is steam coming from it.
The highest peak stands at approximately 2355 m. From the highest peak, you can have a breathtaking view of the whole inner crater. You can also see Mount Longonot more clearly, the sleeping warrior, part of the Aberdare ranges, and the Ngong hill.
The feeling of reaching the summit only hikers can understand. It is always the greatest achievement. The trail are steep and some parts rocky. You will pass through stunted thorn bushes, grasses, and thick vegetation along the trail.
You will need to be physically fit to conquer the hike. You will also need to be of good shape health-wise since a change in attitude can bring about changes in the body. You can feel sickly sick.
Carry enough water because water is medicine in every hike. Water helps get rid of headaches during hikes. Hydration is key.
DIRECTIONS TO MOUNT SUSWA
From Nairobi, you will use the route via Kamandura-Mai Mahiu, then Narok Road/B3. It is 128.8 km and will take you 3 hours, 4 minutes, or longer depending on traffic and the condition of the road.
When you get to Narok, about 10 km away, you will pass a satellite station on the left. After approximately 6.5 km, you will see a signboard for Suswa Conservancy signaling the dusty tarmac road towards Mount Suswa.
You can also use public transport. Take a Matatu from Nyamakima to Narok and ask the driver to drop you off at Maragateway Hotel Suswa town. From there to the crater, it is 2 hours.
No need for all this trouble; you can hook up with us. We will give you the best safe, guided, and fun tour.
MOUNT SUSWA WEATHER PATTERN
You can visit Mount Suswa any season through out the year. But to many, it is best to visit the destination during the dry period. Mount Suswa experiences the dry season in the months of June to October and December to February.
During this period, the trail into the conservancy is accessible, and easier to hike. The sun is usually hot; therefore, when hiking in this season, you need to carry sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to shield youself from the sun.
The wet season is in the months of April, May and the beginning of June. This is the long rain. The short rains are in November and the beginning of December. During this period, the crater and its terrain have a very beautiful vegetation cover that looks like a carpet. The roads and the trails are muddy and slippery.
CAMPING AT MOUNT SUSWA
Mount Suswa offers great campsites for you to camp and enjoy. There is a famous camping area in the edge of the inner crater. The campsite has a beautiful view of the inner crater and the highest peak of the inner crater on the other side, opposite to the campsite area.
There is also another campsite you can camp in near the caves. Some of the camping tips are:
- 1, The best time to camp is during the dry period. The weather during this period is warm and the ground is dry.
- 2, Plan yourself well before you go camping. The number of days you plan to stay there and the activities in each day. This will enable you to fully utilize your stay here.
- 3, You should come well prepared with camping gear like tents, sleeping bags, a camping stove, cooking utensils, and warm clothes. Do not forget to bring enough food.
This is a famous camping area not far from Nairobi; therefore, the experience is great here. The campsite offers pit toilets and shaded ‘Gazibos for resting.
THINGS TO DO AT MOUNT SUSWA
Apart from hiking, there are other activities you can engage in at Mount suswa. Some of them are:
- Game viewing
The inner crater is home to a variety of wildlife. There are the snake species mostly found in the caves. The wildlife you see here is zebras, giraffes, mangooses, turtles.
At night, you will hear the hyenas crying in the bushes. There are also lions, baboons and leopards.
- Visiting the caves
When visiting the caves, make sure you have a headlamp or a flashlight. The caves are dark, and you can hardly see anything inside.
The maasai community use the caves to carry out the initiation rite. This serves as a seclusion area for the young men. Here they are taught to be men and take responsibilities in the community.
You will hear the caves being referred to as the ‘Baboon Parliament.’ The baboons shelter here at night to avoid predators roaming in the forest.
The formation of the rocks in the cave over the years due to isolation gives them a unique and amazing view to explore. The the caves were after the second eruption. This is a site you can’t wait to see.
The cave is home to an endangered specie known as the Kenya big-eared free-tailed bat. It is at risk of being extinct due to the loss or too much interference of its natural habitat.
- Bike riding
You can explore the inner crater while cycling. This will enable you to explore all around the inner crater rim easily. You can bring your bike and have a great experience cycling while exploring the wildlife.
- Running
You can visit Mount Suswa for running exercise. The trails offer the challenge you need to perfect your running career. The trails are well-marked.
The distance around the rim is approximately 20.74 km. The time taken to run is 3 hours 30 minutes, depending on your speed and resting time in between.
The distance to the summit is 7 km to and fro; it is 14 km.
WHERE TO STAY NEAR MOUNT SUSWA
- 1, zambezi cabin resort located in Kamandura-Mai Mahiu-Narok Rd, Mai Mahiu.
- 2, Chui Lodge, a 4-star hotel at Oserengoni Wildlife Sanctuary
- 3, Naivasha Rocky Eco Lodge. It is a 3-star hotel in Naivasha 1262, Naivasha.
- 4, Shwari Cottages Karagita.
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT MOUNT SUSWA
Mount Suswa is a mount you can visit any season of the year. This is because the weather around the mountain is not extreme in all seasons.
The best time to visit is during the dry period June to October and December to February. Despite being the dry season, little rain may be experienced in between. The month of July until mid August is usually cold, especially around Nairobi and its environs.
The dry period is the time to visit because the roads entering the conservancy is accessible and the trails to hike on are accessible. The only difficulty you will face during this season is the sun. Hiking under the sun in this period is not a walk in the park. You will need sunscreen, a hat, and light clothes that cover most part of your body to avoid sunburn.
During the wet season, the area is beautiful but cold, and the roads and trails are muddy and slippery. The benefit of this season is that the place is not crowded.
Mount Suswa is the best place to spend the weekend with family, have nature walks, camp, and just bond with your family and friends.
Another adventure, another great experience with us. Prepare yourself, pack up with your hiking spirit, and book with us to explore Kenya’s beauty.