Mount Suswa Caves

Useful Information

Location:	Suswa Conservancy Cave Campground or Mt.Suswa Eco Lodge. Nairobi Narok Highway, (-1.131759, 36.404696)
Open:	no restrictions. [2023]
Fee:	Foreigners: Adults KSH 3,000, Children KSH 1,000. Residents: Adults KSH 1,000, Children KSH 300. Citizens: Adults KSH 500, Children KSH 300. Camping: Adults KSH 1,000, Children KSH 500, Firewood KSH 1,000 . [2023]
Classification:	lava tube
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:
Guided tours:	D=2 d.
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Mount Suswa Caves, Mt Suswa Tours, Nairobi Narok Highway, Tel: +254-700-148521, Tel: +254-712-244583. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

Mount Suswa Caves is not a single cave, it's a group of lava tubes, which formed in a lava flow on the eastern slopes of Mount Suswa volcano. The caves are visited on organized safari trips, which include a visit of the crater rim and some caves. The tubes have multiple collapses, and if the collapsed roof has formed a slope of debris, it's possible to climb down to the floor of the cave. There are more than 30 such collapse dolines, some of them are accessible.

A unique spot is called Baboon’s Parliament. Every evening baboons take shelter from night hunters such as the Leopard in the caves. It was called parliament because of the typical behavior of the baboons. Once settled into the caves they appear to sit and await the daily address from the troop leaders.

The caves are home to the world’s largest colony of giant Mastiff bats. They sleep during day in the caves, and leave the caves in the evening.

Suswa Cave is a traditional shrine for the Maasai community, the young men spend the night before their initiation inside the cave. It is decorated with Maasai art.

Then the tubes are almost horizontal and are easily visited. Nevertheless, its quite dark, even darker than in limestone caves because the dark rock of the walls requires much more light. And of course the basaltic lava has sharp edges, so sturdy boots are much recommended. Also, it is necessary to find a comfortable entrance, there is actually no chance to find it on your own. Fortunately there are guided tours by Mt Suswa Tours. The necessary equipment like helmet, headlamp, and climbing gear is provided. Visitors have to provide some physical fitness and surefootedness.

The company has 12 campsites around the crater, they offer log drop toilets and waterless shower booths. Wood for the bonfire is provided at a small fee, as it has to be transported to the treeless mountain slopes. Its required, as the temperatures drop substantially in the evening. As far as we understand overnight stay is necessary as it's not possible to visit the caves on single day tours. We strongly recommend a visit of the spectaular Oldoinyo Nyukie Crater.