Menengai Crater View Point — Attraction in Kiamaina ward

Menengai Crater is one of Kenya's most intriguing destinations, with spectacular scenery combining with local beliefs about evil spirits roaming the area. Menengai Crater is believed to be the second largest caldera in the world and at 90 km2 and almost 2500 m above sea level it is an impressive attraction. It provides amazing views of Lake Nakuru

Of Spirits and Peace Menengai Crater, located just outside the town of Nakuru, is a place of legend and violence. It is here where the Ilaikipiak Moran [also Maasai] were defeated by the Ilpurko Maasai during a fight over grazing land. The defeated were thrown over the edge of the crater and the place has been named for the Maa word for 'the dead' describing the fumaroles in the crater that are said by locals to be the souls of the dead warriors trying to get heaven.

The Crater is believed to be a very spiritual place and people come from far and wide to spend time praying and contemplating - and those who have spent time there say they have felt the presence of God - but it is thought by some to be haunted by evil spirits that take people captive.

Many people are said to have disappeared after exploring the area, and others return totally confused. There are reports of spirit beings cultivating the land on the crater floor with eyewitnesses saying that the plowing with tractors, planting and harvesting all happened within an hour. There are even witnesses who speak of a flying umbrella rising from the crater floor when it rains.

There are reports from the locals in the area that they have witnessed the devil riding a motorbike on Kirima Kia ngoma or Devil's Hill which is next...

Menengai Craters View Point is one of the best accessible points of viewing the Menengai Craters.At this viewpoint there and have a number of Curio Shop selling different African ornaments and lite snacks,water and non alcoholic drinks.Though a lot of people get to the view port by car and assume they have seen the best of Menengai they end up having minimal view of the crater.In order to experience the true nature of Menengai A walk is much appropriate and its better to access the created from the different roads well know to the locals that lead to the path that can follow to the top viewpoint.Alternatively one can access from the view point and drop on the edge of the crater using the same path to exit at different place than the entry point.To those planning to visit its a one of walk that takes 3 to 4 hours.

Safety first:

STAY AWAY FROM THE NEAR EDGE OF THE CRATER AS THERE ARE AREAS WHICH ARE STIFF.

FOLLOW THE FOOT PATH

AVOID DOING THE WALK IN A RAINY SEASON

CARRY SOME WATER OR ENERGY...

Not much information is available online. Here, what we learned: Good to arrive early to avoid a hike under the sun. We arrived before 8 am, and nobody was there - neither the guards or rangers. There is a phone number of the rangers/conservancy association on the billboard (next to the guard shack) in the entrance. Call them. 15 min they were there. There are 3 main hiking routes: 9km, 12km, and 21km - each a different price. 12km apparently is challenging down the crater and up. We took the 21km (actually was 18km). Took us 5 hours to complete, with a few stops, and we wouldn't manage the route without a guide (the paths are not marked/clear). It was a manageable route, with a 20-30min upwards section that was very hard. It's not advisable for kids. But mostly was flat, small hills, or downward. We passed 3 caves, entering 1. Truly exhausted at the end. The route finished near the prison complex (sure, other end points are available). The viewpoint on the top is very cold, dress...