Suswa is a charming small town located at the heart of Narok County. Despite being an under-explored place in the region, it offers a plethora of thrilling activities to engage in and is an ideal destination for budget-friendly relaxation. Outdoor activities such as hiking, sightseeing, picnicking, and group and team-building activities are some of the exciting things you can do here. You can reach Suswa on a road trip or try the newly constructed Standard Gauge Railway for a more unique experience.
Suswa is predominantly inhabited by the Maa community, a subgroup of the plain Nilotes in Kenya. They uphold their values and culture strongly, and you will undoubtedly learn a thing or two about their way of life during your visit. Don’t miss out on trying their delicious food, particularly their meat. Without delay, here is a list of places to see and things to do in Suswa.
10 Best Fun Activities To Do In Suswa
1. Polite Drive to Enkikombe Sapuk Park
Looking for a relaxing weekend drive? Check out Enkikombe Sapuk Park, just an hour’s drive from Nairobi along Ngong, Suswa Road. This themed park is perfect for those seeking a chilled-out atmosphere. The drive itself is enjoyable, with stunning views along the way. The park has a cosy ambience, making it a great spot to hang out with friends or family. Keep in mind that it can get chilly in the evening, with strong wind gusts.
Don’t miss the honey-glazed pork ribs if you’re looking for a delicious meal. The food and drinks are affordable, too. In addition to dining, the park has an outdoor cinema and play area for kids. On movie nights, popcorn is complimentary. Take some time to explore this amazing park and enkombe sapuk (big cup) of tea or whatever your poison may be.
2. Explore Mount Suswa
Being less explored, this is your go-to place if you are looking for a wild experience in a place that is less crowded. It is a broad, low-shield volcano that was formed after the eruption process. Located a few kilometres from Suswa town, the mountain has the perfect vegetation for all kinds of outdoor activities. The weather is mostly sunny, which is exactly what you need to make your experience a blast.
3. Hike on Mount Suswa
Mount Suswa offers a great hiking experience for enthusiasts. The scenic ridge walk along the inner volcanic crater edge leads to the main summit, Ol Doinyo Nyokie (also known as the red mountain), towering at 2,356m (7,730 ft). On the way, hikers can enjoy majestic views of the landscape and the “lost island” in the middle, which is home to numerous animals. This hike usually takes about 4 hours. Alternatively, hikers can opt to explore the entire inner crater by trekking through the forest and open grazing land of the local Maasai. This longer hike takes approximately 8 hours.
4. Cave Exploration
The lava caves of Mount Suswa are easily accessible with more than 70 collapsed holes forming the world’s most intricate braided system of lava tubes. These caves are adorned with glittering stalactites and stalagmites, making them a sight to behold. Interestingly, these caves are also known to have been a source of refuge for the Kenyan Mau Mau fighters in the colonial era. These rare volcanic lava caves are also home to a thriving bat population. These bats are known to travel up to 30km in search of food at night before returning to the caves in the morning. During the day, one can witness these bat colonies hanging from the cave ceilings.
At dusk, baboon troops seek refuge in the caves, escaping their predators. This creates two-way traffic with the departing bats. One particular cave opening is particularly interesting as the troop’s leader can be seen perched on rocks, seemingly addressing the rest of the baboons. This spectacle has been named “The Baboon Parliament” by the local Maasai and was featured in a BBC documentary. Apart from this, one of the chambers in the lava caves is adorned with rock paintings. These paintings are believed to have been created by the local Maasai morans who sleep there during their initiation rituals.
5. Wild Camping
Mount Suswa offers a truly wild camping experience with the option to sleep beside the caves hosting the ‘Baboon Parliament’ or up on the volcano overlooking the inner crater. The absence of any lights on the horizon provides a spectacular night sky, as well as beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Visitors may even hear the distant sounds of leopards fighting with wild dogs at dawn.
A campsite is currently being constructed among tall acacias at a spectacular point overlooking the inner crater. It will feature wooden huts for cooking and shade, toilets, and showers, and is expected to be finished in the coming months. Campfires are allowed in designated areas, and cooking equipment is available upon request. While there is currently no running water, water tapped from the local hot steam jets can be arranged upon request.
6. Visit Hot Springs and Maasai Manyattas
Beneath Suswa, there are hot springs that release steam jets. The Maasai people who live on the volcano’s plateau have utilized these springs by developing them to collect water for domestic use. Visitors can learn about these hot springs and Maasai life on Suswa if they are interested. Previous visitors have arranged homestays in manyattas and cow-milking demonstrations. Additionally, chai is always offered to any guest passing a homestead.
7. Tour Mount Suswa Conservancy
This conservancy, located within Mount Suswa, is entirely run by the Maasai community. Its main purpose is to protect the animals and the environment surrounding Mt Suswa from pollution and human invasion. The funds collected through the entrance fee and other activities are used to improve the conservancy and the lives of the locals residing there.
One of the activities offered at the conservancy is a game drive, where visitors can witness various animals up close. The number of animals in the conservancy has been increasing over the years, including monkeys, lions, antelopes, zebras, buffaloes, leopards, and baboons. The wardens take great care of these animals to attract tourists and prevent their extinction. Therefore, it is advisable to tip them for their excellent work in preserving the heritage.
The Conservancy also offers several nature trails that are perfect for winding down after experiencing the hot temperature. During your nature walk, you may encounter flocks of birds searching for food, and their chirping will be a captivating experience, along with the serene surroundings. If you’re looking for an overnight stay, camping is allowed at the conservancy. It is recommended to bring your camping gear to have a fulfilling experience.
8. Game Viewing
Mount Suswa is home to a diverse range of micro-ecosystems that support a variety of wildlife. Among the animals that can be found there are baboons, Martienssen’s Mastiff Bat, lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, civet cats, barn owls, wild dogs, and rock hyraxes, which all frequently visit the caves. Interestingly, one of the caves even has a designated feeding corner for leopards.
On the slopes of the volcano, giraffes, zebras, klipspringers, and Thompson’s gazelles can be seen grazing. Sometimes, elephants pass along their migratory route from Amboseli to the Maasai Mara. At night, hyenas and genet cats are common sightings. In terms of birdlife, Mount Suswa is home to the Rufuos Naped Lark, Augur Buzzard, Superb and Hildebrandt’s Starlings, and the Variable Sunbird, among others.
9. Visit Suswa Ranch Resort
This is a state-of-the-art facility that will make your stay at Suswa an unforgettable one. The strategic location of the ranch ensures that guests have stunning views of the nearby Mt Suswa. The orange horizon when the sun is setting will have you blown away. Guests wake up to chirping and singing birds, a far cry from the chaos and noise in towns.
Savour your taste buds with exemplary dishes, both local and international, that will have you drooling. Security is tight, parking facilities are ample, room service is top-notch, and the staff is very friendly, so what more could you ask for while on a holiday? For a similar experience at the foot of a mountain, you can also consider making trips to either Nyeri or Nanyuki and get to experience Mt Kenya among other fun activities to engage in.
10. Visit Zambezi Cabin Resort
Zambezi Cabin Resort is a polite chill over the weekend on a budget. It’s situated along Narok Road just about 7 kilometres from Mai Mahiu Town right on the highway, You can see the gate along the all-weather driveway, it is on the right as you head towards Suswa. They have placed visible signage on the left of the highway that you cannot miss.
The food is fairly good and affordable. 1kg of nyama choma, wet fry of goat meat and beef is Ksh 1000 while pork costs Ksh 900 per kg. The service is great and the recreational facilities are good enough, the green lawns are well-tendered and manicured you will probably struggle to believe you are in the hot town of suswa. The resort has a nice swimming pool and a play area for children. Swimming pool charges are Ksh 400 for adults and Ksh 200 for children. There is also a nice dance hall which doubles as a conference hall.
The rooms are clean and ironically the showers are hot water. Strategically positioned outside are tents and a nice wooden cabin private lounge which work to regulate the temperature of your favourite drink as you sip or gulp the minutes away. The rooms are Ksh 3000 for a bed only or Ksh 3500 for a bed and breakfast. A couple pays Ksh 4000 for a bed and breakfast. Camping tents cost 1500 per person.
Wow,thank you!