Menengai Crater

Menengai is a shield volcano whose summit collapsed to form a caldera some twelve kilometres across and around five hundred metres deep, which puts it among the largest calderas anywhere. The floor is a chaos of black lava flows from more recent eruptions, dotted with steam vents where geothermal energy is being tapped by a power development, and vegetation is slowly colonising the rock. From the rim viewpoint above Nakuru the whole bowl opens up, with the Rift walls beyond and the lake below on the other side. Paths descend into the crater for those who want to walk on the lava, taking a couple of hours down and considerably longer back. The site carries a heavy load of local legend concerning battles between Maasai clans, which gives the name its meaning as a place of the dead.

The landscape

• The caldera bowl - twelve kilometres across, seen whole from the rim.
• Lava flows - black rock across the crater floor.
• Steam vents - geothermal activity and the power development.
• Nakuru views - the town and lake on the other side of the rim.

When to go

Year-round; mornings are clearest before haze and cloud build over the bowl. It is high and can be cold and windy on the rim. Weekends bring local visitors to the viewpoint.

Before you go

The viewpoint is developed with stalls and can be busy; the descent path is rough, long and hot with no water, and should not be done alone. Geothermal works are visible from the rim and detract for some visitors. There have been safety concerns about the rim area, so daylight visits with company are sensible.

Nearby

Lake Nakuru National Park is below; Hyrax Hill prehistoric site is on the town edge.

Key facts