The Menengai Crater

Menengai Crater is located in the Great Rift Valley-Kenya in East-Africa, Menengai Crater is an extinct volcano with striking views of Lake Nakuru and Lake Bogoria. The crater itself is one of the largest calderas of the world and the largest in Kenya; it is an extinct volcano of the Central Rift Valley (it has been volcanically active until relatively recently as fresh lava flow could be observed in 1991). The crater, covers an area of 90 sq. km, is 12 km in diameter and 485 m deep, standing on the rim of the crater the view extends a panorama of the northern Rift Valley and the many mounts such as the Aberdares Ranges, Mau hills, the Elgeyo-Marakwet escarpment, the Matthews range, and the Cherengani. These are one of the most splendid and most excellent scenery in Kenya. It is a legend that the Menengai Crater is home to many demons and ghosts and so the crater is referred to by the kikuyu of central Kenya as Kirima Kia Ngoma, “the mountain of devils”. The Awesome sounds and sights of Menengai Crater is most frightening which makes the crater most mysterious.

These unexplained mysteries could have been contributed to the legend by the many folklore and songs on the topic have not enlightened the communities living around the mysterious Menengai Crater At the summit of the crater which is easily accessible by car, there is a signpost dressed by Rotary Club of Nakuru showing the directions and distances to several towns in the that including Mt. Kilimanjaro, Cape Town, London, Cairo and Mecca.

As expected, from the rim of the crater, the view extending a panorama of the northern Rift Valley and a dozen hills that offers the finest hill scenery in Kenya. The site offers excellent hiking opportunity, scenic site, hot springs, geysers, mud pots among others. Since the 19th C, it has been the scene for battles between different Maasai clans for the pastures at Naivasha and the Rift slopes.
Hobbies & Activities :
Hiking opportunity; Natural area; Scenic site or route; Volcanoes, hot springs, geysers, mud pots

ACCOMMODATION

Maili Saba

Maili Saba Camp is a sanctuary of tranquility away on the edge of the magnificent, dormant Menengai Crater.  At Maili Saba there is a, relaxing site, secure environment to suit every guest’s need and comfort ability in the camp. Maili Saba is the ideal place. Whether you visit on your way to the Northern/Western frontier or you go for a weekend out; you will leave refreshed and inspired by nature.

Location: Maili Saba Camp is situated just 20 minutes from Nakuru National Park.

Cuisine:
At the lodge you will experience gourmet food style. The lodge also has a fully stocked bar.

Activities and General Facilities Maili Saba Camp

• Swimming pool
• Constant power supply
• Guided nature walks
• 20 minutes drive to the gate of Lake Nakuru National Park
• Nature walks down the Menengai Crater, ballooning safaris and game drives can be organized from the camp
• Uninterrupted view of the magnificent Menengai Crater from the bandas