Hell’s Gate National Park in Naivasha (about 90 km from Nairobi) is the only park in Kenya where you can safely walk and cycle alongside wildlife. Because it lacks large predators like lions and cheetahs, visitors can freely roam past grazing zebras, giraffes, and buffaloes.

Park Details & Logistics

• Location: The main entrance (Elsa Gate) is a roughly 2-hour drive from Nairobi via the A104 and Moi South Lake Road.
• Park Hours: Open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
• Entry & Cycling Fees: The entry fee and bike permit must be paid via the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) portal. Daily cycling fees are roughly KES 300 for residents/citizens and USD 10 for international non-residents. [1, 2, 3]
• Bicycle Rentals: Mountain bikes can be rented at the Elsa Gate or arranged ahead of time through your tour provider or nearby lodges in Naivasha.

The Safari Experience

• The Cycle: The main dirt track stretches about 14–18 km one way. You’ll ride past iconic natural landmarks like Fischer’s Tower and the Central Tower. The return journey can be a bit challenging as it is primarily uphill.
• The Walk: Many visitors lock their bikes at the designated ranger post near the gorge to do a guided hiking safari through the sculpted rock canyons, volcanic hot springs, and steam vents.
• Optional Add-ons: Extend your adventure by soaking in the Olkaria Geothermal Spa or visiting nearby Lake Naivasha and Crescent Island for an additional boat and walking safari.

Tips for Your Trip

• Guides: Hiring a local guide for the gorge walk is highly recommended; they navigate tricky, steep sections and ensure you don’t miss hidden exit routes.
• Gear: Wear sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots, and bring plenty of sunscreen and drinking water.
• Traffic: Be aware of occasional 4x4s speeding along the dirt tracks, which can kick up dust while you ride. [1, 2]

For a visual guide on what to expect along the cycle paths, including the terrain, wildlife, and surrounding landmarks, watch this overview of a Hell’s Gate cycling safari

Hells Gate Walking Safari 2026.

Hell’s Gate National Park in Kenya offers a unique, affordable, and active walking safari experience near Lake Naivasha, where visitors can hike or bike among wild animals like giraffes, zebras, and gazelles without a required vehicle escort.

Due to the absence of predators like lions, the park is safe for exploring, with highlights including the dramatic gorge, towering cliffs, hot springs, and the Olkaria Geothermal Spa.

“A Walk on the Wild Side”

Named for the intense geothermal activity within its boundaries, the Hell’s Gate National Park is a remarkable quarter of the Great Rift Valley.

Spectacular scenery including the towering cliffs, water-gouged gorges, stark rock towers, scrub clad volcanoes and belching plumes of geothermal steam make it one of the most atmospheric Parks in Africa.

If you’re looking for a Kenya safari that swaps safari vans for bikes, hiking boots, and volcanic cliffs, Hell’s Gate National Park in Naivasha is East Africa’s ultimate adventure destination.

It’s the only national park in Kenya where you can cycle and walk among wildlife, climb natural rock towers, explore geothermal gorges, and unwind in a natural spa—all in a single day.

Hell’s Gate is an ideal venue for a day trip from Nairobi where, in addition to the biodiversity that includes raptors, visitors can enjoy mountain biking, rock climbing and a natural spa.

Attractions

• Spectacular scenery including the towering cliffs, water-gouged gorges, stark rock towers, scrub clad volcanoes and belching plumes of geothermal steam make it one of the most atmospheric Parks in Africa.
• Wildlife viewing
• Raptor nesting in cliffs
• Hot springs
• The Olkaria Geothermal Station
• The Mervyn Carnelley Raptor Hide
• Tourist circuits, nature trails
• Health spa

Hells Gate Walking Safari

HELL’S GATE NATIONAL PARK

Drive, Hike, Bike or Climb

Everything about Hell’s Gate National Park is different.

You can take a guided walking safari here. In fact, it’s encouraged.

And where else can you do a bicycle safari, riding past grazing zebra, giraffe, impala, buffalo and baboon.

The opportunities for climbing are plentiful, accessible and not too challenging on the park’s volcanic spires.

And the land here is striking as well, greeting visitors with dramatic gorges, great towers, looming cliffs and steaming columns of geothermal clouds escaping from the rocks. Hell’s Gate indeed!

But the park is actually quite tranquil and safe, very suitable for hiking, biking and family exploration.

Though there are populations of the larger hunters like lion, leopard and cheetah, their numbers are small and sightings rare, so you can walk or ride in peace, enjoying closeup views of eland, hartebeest, gazelle, antelope and over 130 species of birds.

The park is also a sanctuary for the rare bearded or lammergeyer vulture and Verreaux’s eagle. Plus, there are opportunities here to view these raptors up close.

Hells Gate Walking Safari 2026

Named for a great gash in its sheer red cliffs and its steamy geothermal billows, Hell’s Gate features three geothermal stations, the first in Africa.

Lying beneath Hell’s Gate, the plants generate power from the constant energy flowing off the hot springs and geysers.

With its three campsites, camping is safe and encouraged as is bicycling and even motorcycling. There are also plenty of opportunities for climbers along the sandstone gorges and volcanic towers.

And being just a short drive from Nairobi, Hell’s Gate is an ideal day trip for hiking, game viewing, enjoying the hot springs and even visiting its health spa.

After a vigorous morning of hiking or biking you can take a lunch break here at a neighboring restaurant and enjoy the local Kenyan cuisine.

And trips to nearby Crescent Island Preserve and Lakes Naivasha and Nakuru are easily arranged.

About Hell’s Gate National Park

At only 68 sq. km (25 sq. mi) Hell’s Gate is a compact park. But there’s much to see in the arresting geographic features packed into this dramatic place of grassland, cliffs and gorges. The park rises 1,900 meters or 6,200 feet above sea level.

Location:
Hell’s Gate is 90 km or 55 miles northwest from the capital of Nairobi and just south of Lake Naivasha. It’s an easy day trip from Nairobi and close to several other national parks such as Naivasha and Lake Nakuru.

Climate:
The park is known to be warm, dry and dusty.

Best time to visit:
Hell’s Gate is open for wildlife viewing throughout the year however the rainy season could impede your touring during the wet season months of March through May.

Operating Hours:
The park is open from 0600 hrs. to 1800 hrs. daily.

Getting there:
By road – you can book a tour with Natural World Kenya Safaris from the coast or Nairobi. From Nairobi, you’ll take the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway. The drive affords fantastic views of the Rift Valley.

Things to do and see

Hiking
The park is an ideal place to follow nature trails and get close to the plentiful grazing wildlife. With a ranger you can explore the park’s exotic gorges, cut into the rock over eons by the steady passing of water.

Not to be missed is Hell’s Gate Gorge, the inspiration behind “pride rock” from the Disney movie, “The Lion King”. The filmmakers came to the park to study this formation to be replicated in their film.

Mountain biking
Cycling is a great and unique way to view the antelope, zebra and other foraging animals. Take the “buffalo circuit” for views of giraffe and the nearby Longonot volcano.

Climbing
Fisher’s Tower and Central Tower are extinct volcanos with perfect rock walls for climbing. You’ll need a guide but they’re easy and rewarding climbs.

Mervyn Carnelley Raptor Hide
This is a camouflaged viewing platform with a one-way window to view the many raptors in the park.

Ol Karia Geothermal Spa
The largest natural spa on the continent, it has been described as an “endless bathtub”. The spa features very warm, all-natural mineral water brought in as steam and allowed to cool. Relaxing and healthful after a day of hiking and biking.

Discover Hell’s Gate National Park
There’s so much to do in this small but very special national park. Enjoy the many kinds of safaris available here as you take in the dramatic canyons, peaks and spires. You’re sure to see abundant wildlife and thrill to the views, the steamy “atmosphere” and the land that inspired “The Lion King”.

1 Day Hells Gate Walking Safari

Summary

This 1-day hells Gate safari tour or excursion to Lake Naivasha offers an opportunity to visit hell’s gate national park where you get a chance to walk or ride a bicycle with wild animals and spice up your excursion with a boat ride in Lake Naivasha where you get a chance to spot over 200 species of water birds.

The 1 Day Lake Naivasha Safari Program.

Depart early in the morning to lake Naivasha arriving in mid-morning where you first activity will be a gentle walk at hell’s gate national park.

After lunch proceed for a boat ride at Lake Naivasha, where you will have a close encounter with Hippos and have a chance to spot different species of water birds.

As the sun goes down, your journey back to Nairobi begins where you will be dropped at the airport or hotel for further arrangements.

Major Attractions Hells gate national park Bike tours Birding in Lake Naivasha with over 400 species of birds Boat ride Mount Longonot, Crescent Island and Horse riding

Package Includes

 Park entrance fees

 Private transportation

 Bottled drink Water

 Bike Rental

 Services of an English-speaking walking guide.

Hells Gate Walking Safari 2026