Suswa
| Suswa | |
|---|---|
  Suswa Location in Kenya | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,356 m (7,730 ft) |
| Coordinates | 1°09′00″S 36°21′00″E / 1.150°S 36.35°ECoordinates: 1°09′00″S 36°21′00″E / 1.150°S 36.35°E |
| Geography | |
| Location | Kenya |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Shield volcano |
| Last eruption | Unknown |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Rauch's Trail |
Suswa is a shield volcano in the Great Rift Valley, Kenya. It is located between Narok and Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.
Suswa has a unique double crater with a moat-like inner crater surrounding a tilted block of rock. The mountain is also known for its lava tube caves on the northeast side of the outer crater.
It is possible to drive up the lesser-end of the mountain into the outer crater with a four-wheel-drive vehicle; however, there are numerous barricades across the trail where local Masaai try to collect a fee for allowing you through. Arrangements can be made to pay a set fee and get a guide to take you past the barricades. The inner crater is home to a variety of snakes species. Other wildlife of interest found on or near Mt. Suswa includes zebras, giraffes, mongooses, turtles, hyenas and leopards.
It is also possible to climb the mountain, which owns a 2,356-meter summit. There are no specified paths, but Suswa is best accessed from the mountain from the north and northeast. The Suswa Primary school, located at the base of the mountain, is another practical starting point. Also, there are many Masaai homesteads surrounding the base of the mountain; it is recommended to introduce yourself to the head of the family if your route crosses such. With the exception of Rauch's Trail, there are no designated pathways to the summit. However, the Masaai do graze cattle on the mountain's grasslands, making for the occasional route. The peak can be reached on foot by following Rauch's Trail, which begins approximately one-and-a-half kilometers from the summit, from the northeast. Rauch's Trail is marked with a wooden sign, overlooking the crater.