Ngong

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 synonym 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.

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.