Hell's Gate & Lake Naivasha: Bike Safari, Gorge Walk & Boat

Summary

Bike between zebras at Hell’s Gate then float past hippos

You’ll bike through Hell’s Gate alongside wildlife, walk ancient gorges with a local guide, share lunch under acacias by Lake Naivasha, then drift past hippos on a boat ride—all transport and entrance fees sorted for you. Expect muddy shoes, good stories, and moments you’ll replay long after heading home.

What’s the experience like?

Peter, our driver, grinned when I asked if we’d really be biking next to zebras. “You’ll see,” he said, and I swear he winked. The drive out from Nairobi was quieter than I expected—just the hum of the road and that early morning chill that makes you wish you’d brought an extra layer. We stopped at the Rift Valley viewpoint where a woman sold us sweet tea in paper cups. I spilled half of mine trying to take a photo (classic me), but honestly, it was worth it for that stretch of land below.

At Hell’s Gate, our local guide handed us bikes and waved us onto the red dirt track. The first thing I noticed was how dry the air felt—like dust on your lips—and then suddenly there were warthogs darting off and zebras just… standing there, watching us pedal past. It’s not every day you have to swerve for a gazelle. The gorge walk after was trickier; parts were slippery from last night’s rain and my shoes got caked in mud. Our guide told stories about Maasai legends while we ducked into shadowy caves—he laughed when I tried repeating one of the names back to him (I definitely didn’t nail it).

Lunch at Fisherman’s Camp was simple—grilled tilapia with lemon—and we ate outside under acacia trees while some monkeys eyed our chips. Then came Lake Naivasha. That boat ride is still stuck in my mind: water birds everywhere, hippos snorting nearby (closer than I thought they’d get), and this weirdly peaceful feeling as the sun slid behind clouds. Our boatman pointed out a fish eagle overhead; his voice got soft like he didn’t want to scare anything off.

The drive back to Nairobi was quiet again, everyone kind of lost in their own thoughts or dozing off. My shoes were still muddy and my arms smelled faintly of sunscreen mixed with lake water—I know that sounds odd but somehow it fits. Anyway, I keep thinking about those zebras by the road, just doing their thing while we biked past like visitors in someone else’s story.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hell's Gate and Lake Naivasha tour

• Depart Nairobi at 7am
• Stop at Great Rift Valley viewpoint
• Arrive Hell's Gate at 9am
• Bike tour in Hell's Gate for 2 hours
• Walk through gorges and caves for 1 hour
• Return bikes at Hell's Gate gate
• Drive to Naivasha Fishermans camp for lunch
• Take 1 hour boat ride on Lake Naivasha
• Drive back to Nairobi
• Arrive Nairobi by 6pm

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Nairobi to Hell's Gate & Lake Naivasha?

The tour starts at 7am from Nairobi and returns by around 6pm.

Is bike rental included for Hell's Gate?

Yes, bicycle rental charges are included in the tour price.

Do you need to be very fit for the biking safari?

No, it's suitable for all physical fitness levels according to the tour info.

Are guides provided during the gorge walk?

Yes, a private local guide leads both biking and gorge walks inside Hell's Gate.

Is lunch included on this day trip?

No, lunch is not specifically included but there's a stop at Fisherman’s Camp where you can buy food.

What animals can you see during the boat ride on Lake Naivasha?

You can spot hippos and numerous bird species during the boat ride.

Is hotel pickup available for this tour?

The tour includes transport from Nairobi but check if hotel pickup is offered when booking.

Are entrance fees covered?

Yes, entrance fees to Hell's Gate are included in your booking.

What’s included

Your day includes roundtrip transport from Nairobi with fuel and driver charges covered, bicycle rental for riding through Hell’s Gate with a private local guide leading both cycling and gorge walks inside the park, plus all entry fees—so you just show up ready for adventure before heading back in the evening.