Nestled in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, Mount Suswa is one of the country’s most dramatic and underexplored destinations. With its rare double crater, sprawling lava caves, Maasai heritage, and raw landscapes, the conservancy offers something special for hikers, campers, cultural travelers, and off-grid explorers alike.
Beyond the crater, the surrounding region holds its own gems — from geothermal marvels and scenic drives to nearby nature reserves and cultural encounters.
🧭 Top 12 Things to Do in and Around Mount Suswa
1. 🥾 Hike the Double Crater Rim
Activity Type: Adventure | Difficulty: Moderate
Mount Suswa is famous for its twin caldera — a 10 km wide outer crater and a 5 km wide inner crater with a forested floor. Hike along the outer rim for sweeping views of the entire structure, Mount Longonot in the distance, and the plains beyond.
- Full rim loop: ~20 km (6–8 hours)
- Summit point: 2,355 meters
- Ideal for sunrise or sunset hikes
2. 🕳️ Explore the Lava Caves & Baboon Parliament
Activity Type: Exploration | Must-do
The southern slopes of Mount Suswa are riddled with lava tubes, formed during past volcanic eruptions. These caves are long, dark, and spectacular — perfect for torch-lit adventures.
- The Baboon Parliament cave is a huge cavern where baboons sleep at night
- Massive bat colonies occupy other chambers
- Some caves are marked with Maasai ceremonial symbols
🔦 Hire a local guide — the caves are unmarked and easy to get lost in.
3. ⛺ Camp on the Crater Rim
Activity Type: Overnight Adventure
There’s no better place to wake up than on the rim of a volcano, watching the mist rise from the crater below. With no fences, no lodges, and no noise — Suswa offers raw, wild camping.
- Star-filled skies with zero light pollution
- Fire rings and long-drop toilets near caves
- Buy firewood from locals and bring all your own supplies
4. 🔥 Visit the Steam Vents
Activity Type: Nature/Geology
Scattered across the outer slopes are natural steam vents, where geothermal heat escapes through the volcanic soil. Locals use these to condense water or dry hides — they’re also dramatic photo spots.
- Best visited in the early morning for dramatic fog
- Often combined with crater rim hikes or cave tours
5. 🐾 Spot Wildlife in the Conservancy
Activity Type: Nature Watching
While not a national park, Suswa is teeming with wildlife — if you know where (and when) to look.
- Striped hyenas, rock hyrax, klipspringers, and mongoose
- Dozens of birds of prey (eagles, vultures, hawks)
- Baboons dominate the crater and caves
Bring binoculars, move quietly, and camp near natural wildlife corridors for the best chance of sightings.
6. 🌅 Catch Sunrise or Sunset from Secret Viewpoints
Activity Type: Photography
Sunrise and sunset are magical here. The best views are from:
- East Crater Rim: Watch sunrays spill across the inner crater
- West Ridge Rocks: Glowing sunsets behind the Rift Valley hills
- Steam Vents Plateau: Early morning mist + steam = surreal atmosphere
📸 Photographers should bring tripods and wide-angle lenses.
7. 🧑🌾 Visit a Maasai Manyatta
Activity Type: Cultural Immersion
Mount Suswa is Maasai land — and the local community offers visitors a chance to experience their traditions firsthand.
- Tour a traditional homestead
- Learn beadwork, fire-making, and traditional songs
- Enjoy a homestay with local meals (KES 4,500 per night incl. food)
- Hear stories about Maasai rites, lion hunts, and more
🤝 This is not a tourist show — it’s a real cultural exchange.
8. 🚲 Mountain Bike the Inner Plains
Activity Type: Adventure
The plains inside the outer crater are smooth and ideal for mountain biking. Ride past lava chimneys, open grasslands, and grazing livestock with zero vehicle traffic.
- Great for morning rides
- Coordinate with guides to avoid thorns and wildlife zones
9. 🗿 Search for Ancient Rock Markings
Activity Type: Archeology/History
Some of Suswa’s deeper caves feature ceremonial markings, handprints, and charcoal drawings used during Maasai age-set rituals. They aren’t prehistoric in the traditional sense, but they’re living cultural artifacts.
- Access is only with guide permission
- Some markings are still in use for local ceremonies
10. 🚙 Take a Rift Valley Road Trip
Activity Type: Scenic Drive
Extend your Suswa trip with a road trip loop through the Rift Valley:
- Start: Nairobi → Mai Mahiu Escarpment
- Stop at Great Rift Viewpoint
- Pass through Suswa Town
- After Suswa, detour via Narok or continue south to Lake Magadi
It’s rugged, cinematic, and full of Instagram stops.
11. ♨️ Pair with a Visit to Hell’s Gate or Olkaria Spa
Activity Type: Extension Trip
If you want a more relaxed or family-friendly follow-up, head to Hell’s Gate National Park (1.5 hrs from Suswa):
- Hike through canyons
- Visit geothermal power stations
- Swim at Olkaria Geothermal Spa
Perfect way to unwind after camping on a volcano.
12. 📍 Explore Surrounding Towns and Trading Posts
Activity Type: Local Interaction
Before or after your trip, stop in nearby towns for:
- Street food & snacks in Maai Mahiu
- Local markets and crafts in Suswa Town
- Chat with locals about the region’s volcanic myths and history
📅 Best Time to Visit
| Season | Weather | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Jan–March | Dry, clear | Hiking, camping, photography |
| June–October | Cool, dry | Comfortable temps for hiking |
| April–May | Rainy, muddy | Not recommended (access tricky) |
| November | Light rains | Green landscapes, but slippery |
🛠️ What You’ll Need
- 4×4 vehicle or guide with local transport
- Tent, sleeping bag, cooking gear if camping
- Flashlights/headlamps for caves
- Hiking boots and warm clothes
- 5–10L of water per person per day
- Local guide (especially for caves and cultural sites)
🎯 Final Word: Why Suswa Is More Than a Hike
Mount Suswa is a place you feel — not just see. It’s raw, quiet, powerful. Whether you’re staring into a crater at dawn, crawling through ancient lava tubes, or sipping tea with a Maasai elder beside your tent, Suswa offers a deeper kind of adventure.
It’s the kind of place that stays with you — long after the dust on your boots has faded.