Hell's Gate Cycling Tour & Lake Naivasha Boat Ride from Nairobi

Cycle among giraffes, paddle past hippos, walk through a volcanic gorge: all in one day.

This full-day tour from Nairobi combines a guided boat safari on Lake Naivasha, cycling or walking through Hell's Gate National Park, and a guided walk through Hell's Gate Gorge with geothermal steam vents and volcanic rock formations. You'll see hippos, African fish eagles, zebras, giraffes, and antelopes without the constraint of a vehicle, and finish with lunch at a lakeside hotel. Pickup from Nairobi hotels is included. The boat ride, park entry, bike hire, and lunch are separate costs.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat safari and Hell's Gate adventure

• Pickup from Nairobi hotel
• Drive along Nairobi–Nakuru highway
• Stop at Rift Valley viewpoint
• Boat safari on Lake Naivasha
• Observe hippos and birds
• Relax at lakeshore
• Lunch at Lake Naivasha Crescent Hotel
• Drive to Hell’s Gate National Park
• Briefing at park gate
• Cycle or game drive in park
• Guided walk through Hell’s Gate Gorge
• Visit Fischer’s and Central Towers
• Return drive to Nairobi

The experience

The day starts before dawn with pickup from your Nairobi hotel and a drive along the Nairobi–Nakuru highway through the Great Rift Valley, stopping at a panoramic viewpoint before reaching Lake Naivasha mid-morning. A guided boat safari follows: you'll watch hippos surface close to the hull, track African fish eagles diving for fish, and spot pelicans, cormorants, and herons along the shoreline while your guide explains the lake's ecosystem and bird migration patterns. The boat ride is the part of the day built entirely around water: no engine noise, no glass between you and the wildlife.

After time at the lakeshore and lunch at Lake Naivasha Crescent Hotel overlooking the water, you drive into Hell's Gate National Park. The park briefing covers safety and rules, then you choose: cycle through the open plains or take a guided game drive. Either way, you move at ground level among zebras, giraffes, warthogs, gazelles, and buffaloes: animals that roam freely here because the park has no large predators. The cycling option is the rare one: few national parks in Kenya let you pedal inside their gates. A guided walk through Hell's Gate Gorge comes next, moving through narrow canyons and dramatic rock formations while geothermal steam vents and hot springs mark the volcanic geology underfoot. You'll stop at Fischer's Tower and the Central Tower for photography and short nature walks before the afternoon drive back to Nairobi.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Nairobi.
• transportation throughout the day.
• an English-speaking driver-guide.
• bottled water.
• and time for lunch at Lake Naivasha Crescent Hotel (meal cost separate).

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 100

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Day 2 Day Tours and Safaris Ltd

Is this one for you?Book this if you want water-based wildlife viewing, cycling, and walking all in one day: three different ways of moving through the landscape that most Kenya tours split across multiple days.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What's the difference between the boat ride on Lake Naivasha and a regular game drive?

The boat safari gives you uninterrupted, close-range viewing of hippos and prolific birdlife from the water, with no vehicle engine or glass between you and the animals. Your guide explains the lake's ecosystem and bird migration patterns as you cruise.

Can I cycle through Hell's Gate National Park, or is it only a game drive?

You choose at the park: cycle through the open plains at ground level among the wildlife, or take a guided game drive. Cycling is the interactive option and rare for a national park in Kenya. Bike hire is a separate cost.

What happens during the walk through Hell's Gate Gorge?

The guided walk takes you through narrow canyons, dramatic rock formations, and geothermal steam vents while your guide explains the volcanic geology. You'll stop at iconic landmarks like Fischer's Tower and the Central Tower for photography and short nature walks.

How long is this tour, and what time do I get back to Nairobi?

The full tour runs 11 hours from pickup to drop-off. You leave Nairobi early morning and return in the early evening, leaving the rest of your day free.

What's included in the price, and what do I pay separately?

Pickup and drop-off from your Nairobi hotel, transportation throughout the day, a driver-guide in English, bottled water, and lunch time at the lakeside hotel are included. You pay separately for the boat ride, Hell's Gate entry fee, bike hire if you cycle, and your meal.