Hell's Gate & Lake Naivasha Day Trip: Walk, Cycle, Wildlife

Eleven hours of walking, cycling and boat rides through volcanic cliffs and alongside wildlife

A full-day tour from Nairobi to Hell's Gate National Park and Lake Naivasha where you walk or cycle freely among zebras, giraffes and antelopes through dramatic volcanic landscapes, then take a guided boat ride spotting hippos and fish eagles on the water. Hotel pickup and drop-off, a community guide in English, and bottled water are included. The Hell's Gate entry fee is optional depending on your chosen option, and the Lake Naivasha boat ride is paid separately in cash on the day.

The experience

Hell's Gate National Park is one of the few places in Kenya where you can walk or cycle through wildlife habitat without staying in a vehicle. You move on foot or by bike among zebras, giraffes and antelopes across open plains and volcanic terrain, guided by a community expert who explains the geology and animal behavior as you go. The Hell's Gate Gorge itself (a narrow passage between towering rock walls with hot springs and geothermal steam vents visible along the way) is the centerpiece, a landscape that feels both raw and intimate in a way a game drive cannot reach.

After Hell's Gate, the day shifts to water. Lake Naivasha's guided boat ride is calm and deliberate, built for spotting hippos resting in the shallows and watching fish eagles hunt overhead. The pace suits photography and birdwatching, a contrast to the active morning that keeps the day from feeling one-note. You'll have time for lunch at a local restaurant (your own cost) before the return drive to Nairobi, arriving back in the late afternoon.

The tour runs 11 hours total. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, as is transportation and a community guide speaking English. Bottled water is provided throughout. The Hell's Gate entry fee depends on which option you book (some include it, others don't), and the Lake Naivasha boat ride costs $25, paid in cash when you arrive at the lake. Cycling in Hell's Gate is optional. If you choose to walk instead, there's no extra charge.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from your Nairobi accommodation.
• transportation throughout the day.
• a community guide speaking English.
• bottled water.
• access to Hell's Gate National Park (entry fee optional depending on your chosen option).
• time to walk or cycle through the park and the Hell's Gate Gorge.
• a guided boat ride on Lake Naivasha (boat ride paid separately in cash, $25).
• lunch at a local restaurant (your own cost).

Options for this experience

3 options

Shared tour, entry fee not includedUp to 15 people · Guide in English · 06:00Pickup is included

Private option, entry fee not includedUp to 7 people · Guide in English · 06:30, 07:00 and 07:30Private transportation: With this option, you have your own car and driver, either just yourself or your own group. Duration: 10 hours. Vehicle: a customized tour van. Includes pickup.

Shared trip, entry fee includedUp to 15 people · Guide in English · 06:00Pickup is included

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:00, 06:30, 07:00 and 07:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): 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.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Day 2 Day Tours and Safaris Ltd

Is this one for you?Choose shared if you want to meet other travelers. Pick private if your group prefers a dedicated guide and vehicle for the full day.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

Can I walk through Hell's Gate instead of cycling?

Yes. Hell's Gate lets you choose between walking or cycling as you move through the park. Both are included in your tour, and you decide which suits you on the day. The guide walks or cycles with you either way.

What animals will I see at Hell's Gate and Lake Naivasha?

Hell's Gate is home to zebras, giraffes, antelopes and other wildlife you'll encounter as you walk or cycle through the park. At Lake Naivasha, the boat ride focuses on hippos in the water and fish eagles overhead, plus other birdlife depending on the season.

Is the Hell's Gate entry fee included in the tour price?

It depends on which option you choose at checkout. Some options include the Hell's Gate entry fee. Others don't. The Lake Naivasha boat ride is separate and costs $25 in cash, paid on the day.

What's included in the pickup from my Nairobi hotel?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in all options, along with transportation throughout the day, a community guide in English, and bottled water. Lunch is at your own expense at a local restaurant during the break between Hell's Gate and Lake Naivasha.

How long does the full day take?

The tour runs 11 hours from pickup to drop-off. That includes time at Hell's Gate for walking or cycling, the Hell's Gate Gorge, the Lake Naivasha boat ride, and a lunch break.