Mt Suswa Concervancy

Mt Suswa is a fascinating and readily accessible volcano in the heart of Masai land. Located only 50 km from Nairobi is this little known yet massive double cratered volcano, lying close it’s well known sister Mt. Longonot. Comprising of a 12 km double crater system Mt Suswa is one of the most spectacular yet less trodden mountains of the Rift Valley and has a vast network of obsidian caves and a variety of wild animals and plants.

The Conservancy

Mt Suswa Conservancy is a community owned conservation area that promotes sustainable utilization of biological resources in Karuka, Kisharu and Mt Suswa area. Efforts are at an advanced stage to develop tourism activities in Suswa to encourage community participation in biodiversity conservation and to enhance income generation

Attractions & Activities

Mt Suswa Caves. About 70 in number, the Mt. Suswa caves are considered to be the world’s most complex braided system of lava tubes, and they are the main tourist attraction in the Mt. Suswa Concervancy. All are easy to access, none are too long or complex and no special gear or knowledge is required to explore these systems, but is always advisable to hire guiding services of the local scouts. Bring a good torch and lots of batteries.

The caves have a pre-historic occupation and a historic habitation by Kenyan Mau Mau fighters during the colonial era.

Hiking, climbing and cave explorations are the main activities at Mount Suswa.

The Mt Suswa Caldera and Summit are ideal for hikers. The inner crater edge provides a fine ridge walk to the main summit, Ol Donyo Onyoke, with excellent views of the caldera and parasitic craters. The hike takes approx 5 hrs.

In total contrast, the outer caldera floor provides good open grazing land for the local Maasai most of the year round, hence it is full of Masai herds as well as game. Also scattered on these plains are numerous steam jets some of which have been harnessed by the locals to collect drinking water.

The caves are home to a rare recently discovered species of bats that swarm in their thousands. Large baboon troops camp in the caves at night, with one of their favorite sites named by the local Maasais as "The Baboon Parliament".
A few large mammals have been sighted in Suswa including giraffe, thomsons gazelle, zebra and klipspringer. Hyenas are common at night, as well as the genet cat. Leopard is also present, and has a feeding corner within one of the caves.

Birds native to this part of East Africa are in abundance, viewed nesting and soaring along the steep walls of the inner raft, making Mt Suswa a great site for bird lovers.

Click Here to go to the other South Rift Destination - MAGADI

Suggested Safaris
Day Trip to Mt Suswa
4 Days Mt Suswa - Maasai Mara
5 Days South Rift - Magadi

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