The Menengai Crater's statistics are impressive, to say the least. Measuring 12 km / 7 miles across and 500 metres / 1,640 feet in depth, it is hard to get a sense of its sheer size. It certainly helps to view the crater from a lookout point. In the mid-19th century, the crater was the site of a bloody battle between the Ilaikipiak and Maasai tribes, with many of the former meeting their end by being thrown into the crater. Together with legends that the crater is haunted by evil spirits, it is hardly surprising that even locals aren't particularly keen on going too near the crater's edge. The Menengai Crater can be reached after a fairly long hike, although this can be made shorter if a taxi can be found.
