Mt. Suswa Hike and Lava Caves Adventure

Just a few hours from Nairobi, Mt. Suswa is one of the most unusual places to hike in Kenya. This dormant volcano sits on the floor of the Great Rift Valley between Narok and Kajiado, and it is famous for something you won't find anywhere else in the country: a crater inside a crater. Standing on the outer rim, you look down into a deep inner crater with a huge raised block of land in its centre, cut off from the rest of the mountain by a dramatic trench. Our guides call it the island, and it is a sight that stays with you. The hike takes you up through open grassland and volcanic terrain to the crater rim, where the views stretch across the Rift Valley towards Mt. Longonot and the Ngong Hills on a clear day. The ground is mostly gentle to moderate, so it suits fit beginners as well as regular hikers, with plenty of stops to catch your breath and take photos. After lunch, the adventure goes underground. Suswa's eastern slopes hide a network of lava tubes, long tunnels that formed when molten lava drained away from beneath a cooled crust. Torch in hand, you'll follow your guide through cool, echoing chambers to the Baboon Parliament, a large cave where troops of baboons gather to shelter at night. Some of these caves have long been used by the local Maasai community, and our guides from the area will share the stories behind them. Mt. Suswa is managed by the local Maasai community, so your visit also supports the people who look after this landscape. Transport, conservancy fees, guides and a certified first aider are all included. All you need to bring is good shoes, plenty of water, a packed lunch and your sense of adventure.