Longonot Ranch House, Naivasha, Kenya
Idyllic base for horseriding in the Rift Valley and exploring Naivasha and Hell's Gate National Park.
Game viewing from the saddle, Longonot Ranch House
Mount Longonot and the Rift Valley
Deep in the heart of the Great Rift Valley lies a dormant volcano, Mt. Longonot (9,111 ft above sea level) derived from the Masai word O-Loo-Nong'ot, meaning 'of the valleys'.
Straddling the slopes of Longonot and bordering Hell's Gate National Park to the West, (which a million years ago formed the dramatic outflow of fresh water from Lake Naivasha) lies 80,000 acres of private wilderness, Kedong, only 80kms from Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya.
The Ranch House
Longonot Ranch House, with stunning views of Hell's Gate gorge and the Aberdare Mountain range, is situated at 7,000 ft above sea level and looks out over rolling plains to Lake Naivasha, where approximately 475 different species of birds make their home.
Amongst the many species of game which roam freely over the open plains and rocky lava flows are eland, giraffe, Cape buffalo, zebra, impala, Thomson's and Grant's gazelle, kongoni, warthog, hyena, jackal, bat eared fox and spring hare.
Occasionally cheetah. leopard and aardvark are seen. About 10,000 head of wild animals are counted annually.
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Accommodation
Accommodation comprises of three double en-suite bedrooms in self-contained cottages with spectacular views of the Rift Valley and surrounding mountains.
The 'Kinangop' and 'Ol Karia' rooms are twin-bedded with dining and sitting room in between. 'The Happy Valley', a honeymoon suite, is adjacent. The cottages are fully furnished and completely self-contained.
Activities
This colonial style ranch house is hosted as a home-stay retreat by Tony and Susie Church. Longonot Ranch House is ideally located for excursions to Hells Gate National Park, Longonot National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, Mt Suswa caves, the Aberdare range and Lake Naivasha, well known for its birdlife, black bass fishing and watersports.
There is also an 18-hole golf course at Green Park, Eburru, 1 hour's drive from the ranch.
Client Feedback
"Tony and Suzi up at Longonot were really fantastic hosts and spending time talking to Tony was like stepping back in time in old colonial Kenya. He is just an amazing chap to talk to when it comes to African Bush and Safaris as it seems he's just about seen and done it all. It felt like we were staying with some old family friends when we stayed there which was great. We did a day's riding with Suzi and it definately whet our appetite for a proper riding safari with Extreme Safari at some time in the future."
Graham Merrick - Honeymoon, July 2005
Mount Longonot Viewed from Hell's Gate - Longonot Ranch House
Bookings, Availability & Rates
Prices are approximately:
450USD per double (2 people sharing) on full board, 300USD single occupancy on full board, 159USD per child under 12 years sharing full board.
This includes: Full board, laundry, beer and sodas, wine with dinner and visitor conservancy fee. Excludes: Escorted horde riding at 30USD per horse per hour, transport/transfers and liquor. Boating on lake Naivasha at 70USD per boat per hour (6 pax).
Extra meals at USD20 per person.
For more information email info@extreme-safari.com
(images courtesy Longonot Ranch House)
Map of Longonot Ranch House and environs
