The Menengai Crater is one of the largest calderas in Kenya, Africa, and the world. The image of a glowing and fiery ovoid mountain on the feet of the Great Rift Valley dominates the Kenyan façade, but if you travel deep into the Rift Valley, you will find something bigger than any artificialism.
Because the Menengai crater shows traces of both the cauldron block’s collapse and the production of magma eruptions that generate volcanoes, experts believe that the crater is somewhere between extinct and dormant.
Over the years, Menengai Crater has been a popular destination for local tourists as it’s one of the largest volcanic calderas in Kenya. Despite being inactive and dormant, it is still attracting visitors due to its wonder-inducing beauty that remains mostly preserved unspoiled.
How to get to Menengai Crater
Menengai Crater is about a two-hour drive from Nairobi and is situated on the outskirts of Nakuru. One of the main reasons local tourists frequently visit the enormous 12-kilometer crater is its proximity to the city.
Once you’re in Nakuru town, you may hire a taxi or a bike and ask them to drive you to the Menengai crater viewpoint, which is often where most hikers begin their climb to the caldera. When driving, it is simple to spot signposts pointing in the direction of the stunning vista just after the Nakuru railway station.
Things to do at Menengai Crater
Hiking at Menengai Crater
The Menengai crater has a diameter of 12 km and is located about 2500 m above sea level. The slopes descend 500 meters to the crater bottom from the rim.
The Menengai crater stands out as one of the most beautiful and distinctive hiking trails in Kenya, along with Ngong Hills. While climbing the slopes, you will experience the diverse flora and fauna as well as get an unparalleled view of the magnificent lake Nakuru.
Hikers are recommended to have appropriate hiking gear and bring along a bottle of water because the terrain can be difficult and the sun can be very intense.
Camping
The Menengai crater is the ideal camping destination. It’s unsurpassed, just picture spending your evenings on the crater edge under the stars.
There are several places nearby that sell camping supplies, but if you’re a real adventurer, you may also bring your own supplies and set up camp independently.
Sight Seeing
Bushy grasslands, verdant woodlands, and exotic plants and flowers fill the area around the Menengai Crater. Wild species including mountain reedbucks, mongooses, vervet monkeys, and a few others call this unusual vegetation home.
Along with other forest bird species, the area is also home to the Verreaux eagle, the Abyssinian ground hornbill, and the African Marsh Harrier. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to observe the sky’s inhabitants in their natural habitat.
The expansive lake Nakuru may also be seen from the crater, adding to the spectacular vistas of the animals and rich foliage.
Visit the Mau Mau Caves
Additionally, you will have the chance to see the Mau Mau cave, which lies west of the Menengai crater, when you go there. Guerrillas are thought to have retreated to those caves during the Mau Mau conflict from British colonial soldiers.
Menengai Crater Entry Charges
Access to the crater costs 200 shillings per person from the Kenya Forest Service.
The crater is definitely worth visiting and can be done on a day’s trip from Nairobi. Menengai Crater is also a great place for anyone who would love to spend a weekend camping, trekking, and enjoying the great outdoors. The crater has a variety of landscapes – volcanic earth, beautiful forests, and a scenic view that will leave you mesmerized.
Whether you are a history buff, nature lover, arachnophobia, or are simply looking for an alternative tourist attraction in Kenya, this article has given you enough reasons to consider Menengai Crater a must-visit.
