Horseback Riding in Hell's Gate: Zebras on the Plains

Ride past grazing zebras at the foot of a dormant volcano

Hell's Gate horseback safari from Nairobi combines cycling through open plains, hiking into Ol Njorowa Gorge, and riding horses at Mount Longonot's base where wildlife stays calm around the animals. A professional guide leads the full day. Private transfer from Nairobi is included in one option. The horseback portion is what stays with travelers afterward: the horses know the terrain well enough that zebras, eland and gazelles carry on grazing as if you're not there.

The experience

The day starts on a bike. You cycle through Hell's Gate's open plains with zebras grazing alongside the track, then hike deep into Ol Njorowa Gorge where obsidian walls narrow around you and steam vents rise from the ground. Natural hot springs bubble up at the gorge's bottom. Most Kenya safaris happen through a car window. This one doesn't get near one. The cycling and the gorge hike form the core of the day, and a professional guide moves through both with you.

The horseback safari comes at the foot of Mount Longonot, where the volcano's crater rim sits above the plains. The horses are calm around wildlife, which is why you end up closer to a grazing zebra than most people get on an entire safari holiday. The Rift Valley opens up around you as you ride. If you want an extra challenge, Fischer's Tower, a freestanding volcanic pillar, can be climbed for an additional fee. A boat ride on Lake Naivasha is a natural way to end the day, with hippo pods surfacing alongside and fish eagles hunting overhead.

The day is 90 minutes from Nairobi but feels much farther from the city. If you want to stay longer, camping at Fisherman's Camp on the lakeshore shifts the pace completely: hippos come out of the lake after dark and graze on the lawn a few meters from your tent, and the boat ride moves to the following morning.

What’s included

• Bicycle safari and gorge hike with professional guide in English.
• horseback safari at Mount Longonot's base (depending on the chosen option).
• lunch (depending on the chosen option).
• private transfer from and to Nairobi (depending on the chosen option).
• Hell's Gate National Park entry and bike hire (depending on the chosen option).

Options for this experience

2 options

Hells Gate, without pickupGuide in English · 09:00No lunch and no pickup: meet at the meeting point (no private transfer). Includes bicycle safari and gorge hike only, with no other activities.

Hells Gate and horseback safariGuide in English · 07:30Hells Gate and horses: bicycle safari, gorge hike, and a sunset horseback safari afterwards (suitable for beginners and professionals). Includes lunch, round-trip transport from Nairobi, a private transfer to and from Nairobi (hotel pickup and drop-off), and pickup 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 07:30 and 09:00

AgesAdult (18 to 75 years) · Under 18: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 70

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Daring Escapes

Is this one for you?Book the option with pickup if you're traveling without a car from Nairobi. The transfer handles the 90-minute drive each way. Choose the camping add-on if you want to extend the day and watch hippos emerge on the lakeshore after dark, rather than returning to the city the same evening.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What's the horseback safari actually like at Mount Longonot?

The horseback safari takes place at the foot of Mount Longonot with the volcano's crater rim above you. The horses are calm around wildlife, so zebras, eland and gazelles continue grazing as you ride past. You end up closer to them than most people get on an entire safari holiday.

Can I climb Fischer's Tower, or is that a separate trip?

Fischer's Tower is a freestanding volcanic pillar at Hell's Gate and can be climbed on the same day for an extra fee with a guide and safety gear provided.

Does the day include a guide, or do I navigate on my own?

A professional guide leads you through the cycling, the gorge hike and the horseback safari. The guide speaks English and moves with you throughout the full day.

How far is Hell's Gate from Nairobi, and how do I get there?

Hell's Gate is 90 minutes from Nairobi. One option includes private transfer from and to Nairobi. The other option does not, and public transportation is available nearby.

Can I stay overnight at Fisherman's Camp instead of returning to Nairobi the same day?

Yes, camping at Fisherman's Camp on the lakeshore is available as an add-on. You stay in a tent a few meters from the lake where hippos graze after dark, and the boat ride on Lake Naivasha moves to the following morning.