Ngong is a town near the Ngong Hills along the Great Rift Valley within Kajiado County, located in the southwest of Nairobi, in southern Kenya. The word “Ngong” is a Maasai word derived from the word “enkong’u” meaning both “the ‘eye'” and “eye of water” or thus spring of water. The original place name is ɛnkɔŋʉ́ ɛ́ mʉny, literally the eye of the rhinoceros but functionally Rhinoceros Spring; an alternative name is ɔlchɔ́rrɔ ɛ́ mʉny (olchorro is a synonymn of enkong’u. Ngong is the anglicization of ɛnkɔŋʉ́. Seemingly the British found enkong’u e muñ too difficult to pronounce. A widespread false etymology is linked with the knuckle shape of the hills.
Ngong is a town situated near the Ngong Hills along the Great Rift Valley within Kajiado County, located southwest of Nairobi, Kenya. The name “Ngong” is derived from the Maasai word “enkong’u,” meaning “eye of water” or “spring of water,” referencing a local spring.
Geography and Climate
Ngong is positioned at an elevation of approximately 1,961 meters (6,434 feet) above sea level, offering a temperate climate with cooler temperatures compared to Nairobi. The town provides panoramic views of the Great Rift Valley and the Nairobi skyline.
Ngong Hills
The Ngong Hills are a prominent feature of the area, consisting of a series of peaks along the Great Rift Valley. These hills are popular for hiking, offering trails that traverse the ridge and provide expansive views of the surrounding landscapes. The highest peak reaches an altitude of 2,460 meters (8,071 feet) above sea level.
Economy and Infrastructure
Ngong has evolved from a pastoral community into a bustling town with diverse economic activities. The town serves as a residential area for many who work in Nairobi, benefiting from its proximity to the capital. Local businesses, markets, and services cater to the needs of residents and visitors alike.
Cultural Significance
The town and its surroundings are rich in Maasai culture, with traditional practices and lifestyles still evident. Visitors have opportunities to engage with the Maasai community, learning about their customs and traditions.
Tourism and Recreation
Beyond hiking, Ngong offers various recreational activities, including picnicking, bird watching, and exploring local markets. The area’s natural beauty and cultural heritage make it a notable destination for both domestic and international tourists.
Ngong’s blend of natural landscapes, cultural richness, and proximity to Nairobi contribute to its unique character and appeal.
The Ngong Hills, (known to the Maasai as ‘Oloolaiser”) from the eastside slopes, overlook the Nairobi National Park game reserve and, off to the north, the city of Nairobi. The Ngong Hills, from the westward slopes, overlook the Great Rift Valley dropping over 4,000 feet below, where nomadic Maasai live.
Demographics
As of 2019, the population of Ngong Town consisting of Enchorro-Emunyi and Ngong Township locations is 25,866. The elevation of Ngong town is 1,961 meters in altitude, but the altitude of the hills is about 2,460 meters above sea level. Ngong was the central town of Ngong division while Kajiado County was a district.
History
During the years of British colonial rule, the area around the Ngong Hills was a major settler farming region, and many traditional colonial houses are still seen in the area.
Today Ngong and its environs is a well-developed outskirt providing a good residing place for many of Nairobi’s workers
Ngong division consists of the Nairobi suburbs of Ongata Rongai, Kiserian,[Matasia] (Oloolua Area) and Kitengela where the residents are primarily Nairobians who build houses in the more quiet regions of the city.
In the 1985 film Out of Africa, the four peaks of the Ngong Hills appear in the background of several scenes at Karen Blixen‘s house, located near Ngong. Local residents still reported seeing lions in the Hills during the 1990s.
The solitary grave of Denys Finch Hatton, marked by an obelisk and garden, is located on the eastern slopes of the Ngong Hills at a place called Kahara, overlooking the vast game reserve.
Former and current world marathon athletes, including all time champion Paul Tergat reside here.
It is the see city of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ngong.
Sports
Ngong has a basketball court and a stadium that is being built. The basketballers of Ngong go to far places to play basketball. Ngong also has quite a good number of football pitches.
Ngong division consists of the Nairobi suburbs of Ongata Rongai, Kiserian,[Matasia] (Oloolua Area) and Kitengela where the residents are primarily Nairobians who build houses in the more quiet regions of the city.
Transport
Ngong has a train station on the Nairobi–Malaba Standard Gauge Railway, which was inaugurated in October 2019
