Mt Suswa hike: the inner crater rim to the summit

Section by section

• The campsite: most hikers park at the road head beside the campsite and viewpoint on the edge of the inner crater. From here you look straight down into the forested trench around the central block.
• Along the rim: the path climbs a gradual slope along the crater edge, with the drop into the inner crater on one side. Rock hyraxes dart between the boulders, and small antelopes graze on the slopes.
• The first summit: about an hour from the start you reach the first high point on the rim.
• The second summit: another hour on, the higher second summit is the top of the mountain, at 2,356 m. You come back the same way.
• The full circuit: if you want more, the trail right round the inner crater is about 22 km and takes seven hours or more. Our map shows the out-and-back route to the summit only.

Terrain and how hard it is

The rim path to the summit is easy to moderate: a dirt trail with rocky sections and a gentle overall climb. The full circuit of the inner crater is much harder, with about 1,380 m of climbing.

The walk to the summit and back takes about four hours. The inner crater, about 5 km across, is covered in forest that is home to leopards, hyenas and buffalo, so stay on the rim path.

On our map the line from the campsite to the summit covers about 5.3 km one way.

Best time of year

The Kenya Meteorological Department describes March to May as the main rainfall season over most of Kenya, with October to December as the short rains.

The drier months, from January to February and from June to September, are the best for the hike and for the 4WD tracks up the mountain, which are steep and rocky.

What to bring

• Plenty of drinking water and food: there are no shops on the mountain.
• Shoes with good grip for the rocky sections.
• A hat, sunscreen and sunglasses: the rim has little shade.
• A warm layer for the morning and evening if you camp.
• A torch or head torch if you plan to visit the lava caves.
• Money for conservancy fees and a guide.

Getting there, entry and fees

From Nairobi, take the lower escarpment road to Mai Mahiu, then the Narok road. The quickest way to the crater campsite is to drive 43 km from Mai Mahiu to Duka Moja, then turn onto a 22 km dirt road. Allow about an hour and a half from Nairobi to Duka Moja, and another hour and a half to the crater. The final climb needs a 4WD vehicle. The lava caves are on the outer crater, on a separate track.

The mountain is managed by the Mount Suswa Conservancy, whose members collect fees at barriers on the access tracks. A guide can be arranged to take you past the barriers, and a local guide is recommended for the caves. The conservancy publishes no official fee schedule online, so agree the fees for entry, your vehicle, camping and a guide before you set off. Maasai homesteads surround the mountain; if your route crosses one, introduce yourself to the head of the family.

Checked on 8 November 2026 against the published sources we could find; confirm current fees before you go.

Keep the hike

We print the route on the real terrain, so Suswa's two craters and the island block in the middle stand out in 3D, with the rim path raised in colour. Add the date and the names of the group.