Hell's Gate & Lake Naivasha Day Tour: Bike, Walk, Boat

Bike past giraffes and zebras, then walk an island where hippos wade nearby.

A full-day tour from Nairobi combines a two-hour bike ride through Hell's Gate National Park with a walking safari on Crescent Island and a boat excursion on Lake Naivasha. You cycle among grazing wildlife, walk through a sanctuary home to giraffes and hippos, and travel by boat while the guide identifies bird species. Hotel pickup at 7am and drop-off in the evening are included, along with park entry, bike rental and boat fees.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hell's Gate and Lake Naivasha tour

• Pick up from Nairobi hotel at 7 am
• Drive to Hell's Gate with Rift Valley stop
• Bike tour in Hell's Gate National Park
• Drive to Naivasha Marina Camp for lunch
• Boat ride on Lake Naivasha at 2 pm
• Walk on Crescent Island Sanctuary
• Depart for Nairobi at 5 pm
• Drop off at Nairobi hotel

The experience

The day starts with a 7am pickup from your Nairobi hotel, then a drive south to Hell's Gate National Park with a stop at the Rift Valley viewpoint. By 9:30am you're on a bicycle for two hours, riding through one of Kenya's smaller parks where animals graze openly. Gazelles, zebras, giraffes and antelopes move across the landscape as you pedal. Hell's Gate is built for this: it's one of the few parks where walking and cycling among wildlife is the standard way to explore.

At 1pm you break for lunch (your own cost), then at 2pm head to Naivasha Marina for a boat ride to Crescent Island Sanctuary. The guide points out bird species (fish eagles, ospreys, lily-trotters), while you watch for hippos in the water and spot the larger animals on shore: giraffes, water-bucks, elands, wildebeests and impalas. The walk on the island puts you close to the animals in their own space. At 5pm the boat returns and you're driven back to Nairobi, arriving in the evening.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from your Nairobi area residence.
• Hell's Gate National Park entry and guide.
• two-hour bike rental.
• Lake Naivasha boat ride.
• Crescent Island Sanctuary entry.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (4 to 17 years) · Under 4: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfants must sit on laps

Operated by African Beast tours and safaris

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to move through the wildlife yourself (pedaling past animals and walking among them) rather than watching from a vehicle. The bike ride and island walk are the core of the day, so it suits travelers who enjoy being active and getting closer to the animals on foot.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 17 years). Under 4: they can't be included in the booking.

Can I bike through Hell's Gate if I haven't cycled in years?

The two-hour bike ride covers the park at a pace that suits all fitness levels. The terrain is flat and the animals move slowly, so you're not racing. You're moving through the landscape at wildlife-watching speed. Bikes are rented as part of the tour.

Will I actually see hippos on the lake?

Lake Naivasha is home to hippos, and the boat ride is timed to spot them. The guide watches for them and explains what you're seeing. You'll also see a range of bird species the guide identifies during the ride.

What's the difference between the bike ride and the island walk?

The bike ride covers more ground through Hell's Gate in the morning, moving past grazing herds. The island walk on Crescent Island is slower and closer. You're on foot among the animals in a smaller, contained space.

Do I need to bring my own water?

Bring a reusable water bottle. Only reusable bottles are allowed in the parks. You'll want water during the bike ride and the walk, especially in the midday heat.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is available for purchase at Naivasha Marina Camp at 1pm, but it's not included in the tour fee. You can bring your own food or buy a meal there before the boat ride.