In this article, we will discuss Menengai Crater Entrance Fees. Menengai Crater is located in Nakuru County of Kenya about 2 hours and 30 Minutes from Nairobi City. This Krakatau-style caldera is the second largest in Africa. Naturally, it is also one of the biggest volcano calderas in the world.
Menengai Crater offers stunning views of nearby Lake Nakuru and Lake Bogoria, as well as the depths of the crater proper. Reports indicate that the volcano was formed about 200,000 years ago, and the caldera about 8,000 years ago. The caldera floor is covered with numerous post-caldera lava flows.
The Menengai volcano is considered one of the best-preserved Krakatau-style calderas in the world and has very little sediment in the caldera, a thick mass of lava boulders and inaccessible ridges. The Menengai Crater is surrounded by lush forest and is protected by the Kenya Forest Service. There are numerous flowering plants and grasses, you can see Kirk’s dik-dik, slender mongooses. Black-faced vervet monkeys, tree hyrax and mountain reedbuck here. Also home to the Verreaux eagle, Abyssinian ground hornbill and African Marsh Harrier along with other forest species of bird.
History Of Menengai Crater (Is it true or a Myth?)
In the 19th century the Menengai Crater was the site of a bloody battle between different Masai clans, vying for the pastures of the Rift Valley slopes and Naivasha. The Ilaikipiak Moran (warriors) were defeated by their southern neighbors the Ilpurko Masai, who reputedly threw the former over the crater edge. According to legend the fumaroles rising from the crater bed are the souls of the vanquished seeking to find the way to heaven. The Maa word Menenga means ‘the dead’. The crater itself is enormous, about 12 km across and 500 m deep. The mountain is surrounded by a nature reserve.
Stories of strange happenings that have convinced many that this is a haunted place.A number of strange things are said to happen in the crater, such as people disappearing without trace, Others losing directions for hours (or even days) only to be found by their relatives wandering around in a trance.
The local people believe that the crater is haunted by evil spirits that capture people and animals and hide them in the netherworld.It is said that in the late 1950s and early 1960s, ghosts used to farm on a fertile piece of land on the floor of the crater.
According to eye witnesses, the ‘demons’ used to plough the land with tractors, plant wheat and harvest all within an hour. The locals even claim to have seen the devil riding a motorcycle on a hill called ‘Kirima Kia ngoma (Devil’s Hill)’ situated next to the crater. There is also the widespread allegation of a ‘flying umbrella’ that normally appears whenever it rains. Despite the stories, some people stay in the cave at the south of the crater praying for months. They say that they feel very close to God when praying in the crater.
Menengai Crater Activities
1. Touring Menengai Caldera
Menengai Crater is the largest volcano caldera in Kenya. Moreover, the post-caldera lava flows cover a big part of the Caldera. The sediment found in the caldera is minimal and is a thick mass of lava boulders and ridges. The volcanic activity continues even in this day and age and is used by the Kenya geothermal power generation to generate energy. The spectacular Menengai Crater caldera draws visitors from all over the world and features large circular rims and plunging cliffs that will take your breath away.
2. Mountain Biking and Hiking
You can hike or go biking along the nature trail meandering through the Menengai forest in the company of your friends as you enjoy the breeze and chirping birds in the area. The crater is a favorite spot for visitors who want to go hiking, jogging or walking a dog. You can walk and have a local guide to take you down from the Menengai Crater viewpoint and around the crater and walk up back to the same spot. The walk is approximately 6 km from the main gate and hikers can go with a local guide or take a motorbike. The trip which takes about four hours is unforgettable, and no photos can give you a satisfying idea. It is worth to plan to visit and see it for yourself.
3. Picnicking
There are campsites around, and you can plan to visit the place for camping and other adventures. People visit the crater and caves for picnic and photo sessions. It is a relaxing picnic spot to be in because of its calmness and serenity.
4. Visit the Menengai Caves
There are two caves in the forest. Both caves were used as hideouts by the Mau Mau freedom fighters during the war on Kenya’s Independence. Today, they attract pilgrims from different parts of Kenya who come to pray, meditate, fast, and contemplate.
5. Photography and Site Seeing
Menengai crater presents a great view of Lake Bogoria, Nakuru town, and Lake Nakuru. It is a great place for photography.
6. Camping
This is a good picnic site for camping.
7. Bird Watching
Watch different bird species as you hike and trek along the crater and forest trail leading to the caves.
Menengai Crater Entry Charges
The entry fee to Menengai Crater is payable at the Kenya Forest Service gate. Remember to carry your a national Identification document (ID or Passport).
| School parties | Ksh 33.2 |
| Adults | Ksh 282 |
| Children | Ksh 88 |
| Non-Residents | Ksh 796 |
| Non-Residents child | Ksh 282 |
| Resident | Ksh 564 |
| Resident Child | Ksh 216 |
| College/ University | Ksh 68 |
Menengai Service Fees
| Education Tours | Ksh 1000 |
| Caves Exploration | Ksh 2000 |
| Hiking group | Ksh 7000 |
| Nature walks (Groups) | Ksh 5000 |
| Horse/camel ride | Ksh 2000 |
| Cycling | Ksh 1000 |
| Geothermal Education | Ksh 2000 |
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