Kenya · Short Trips
Lake Naivasha & Hell's Gate Day Trip
Overview
One of Kenya's most active and rewarding day trips. Hell's Gate National Park is one of only a handful of African national parks where you can cycle and walk freely among wildlife — there are no big cats here, so you can rent mountain bikes at the gate and ride past zebra, giraffe, eland, buffalo and warthog grazing meters from your handlebars.
The park's dramatic basalt gorges inspired the landscape of Disney's The Lion King, and a guided hike with a Maasai ranger takes you down into the lower gorge to see hot springs, narrow slot canyons and the volcanic plug of Fischer's Tower. Lunch is at a Naivasha lakeside restaurant, and the afternoon is spent on a 90-minute boat ride on Lake Naivasha among hippos and African fish eagles.
This is the day trip we recommend to fit travelers who want maximum Africa in a single day from Nairobi. Long but unforgettable.
Highlights
- ✦Cycle in Hell's Gate among zebra and giraffe
- ✦Hike The Lion King-inspired gorges with a Maasai guide
- ✦Boat ride on Lake Naivasha among hippos
- ✦African fish eagles dive for tilapia
- ✦Optional Crescent Island walk among free-roaming wildlife
- ✦Hot springs and Fischer's Tower volcanic plug
- ✦Long, fully-packed day from Nairobi
- ✦Perfect for active travelers
Day-by-day itinerary
- 1
Nairobi → Hell's Gate → Lake Naivasha → Nairobi
Hell's Gate, Lake Naivasha
An action day in the Rift Valley. Depart Nairobi at 7am for the 90-minute drive to Hell's Gate National Park — one of the only Kenyan parks where you can walk and cycle freely among wildlife (no big cats live here). Hire mountain bikes at the gate and ride through the dramatic basalt gorges that inspired the landscape of Disney's The Lion King — past zebra, giraffe, eland, buffalo and warthog grazing meters from your handlebars. Hike down into the lower gorge with a Maasai guide to see hot springs, narrow slot canyons and the dramatic Fischer's Tower volcanic plug. Lunch at a Naivasha lakeside restaurant. Afternoon: a 90-minute boat ride on Lake Naivasha among hippos and fish eagles. Return to Nairobi by 7pm — a long, satisfying day.
Meals: Lunch · Stay: N/A (day excursion)
Included
- ✓ Pickup and drop-off from your Nairobi hotel
- ✓ Private 4x4 vehicle with English-speaking driver-guide
- ✓ Hell's Gate National Park entry fees
- ✓ Mountain bike rental in Hell's Gate
- ✓ Maasai ranger gorge hike guide
- ✓ Lake Naivasha boat ride
- ✓ Lunch at a lakeside restaurant
- ✓ Bottled drinking water
Not included
- ✕ Crescent Island walk ($30 per person, optional)
- ✕ Personal expenses, tips
- ✕ Beverages with lunch
What to bring
- • Comfortable cycling clothes and closed shoes
- • Sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
- • Light layers (mornings cool, midday warm)
- • Camera
- • Refillable water bottle
- • Swimwear if you want to swim at hot springs
Frequently asked questions
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