Offered by HellsGatePark.org
A day of adventure, nature, and relaxation in Kenya’s Rift Valley
🌋 Overview
Discover one of Kenya’s most thrilling and scenic destinations on this full-day private tour from Nairobi — combining Hell’s Gate National Park and Lake Naivasha, two gems of the Great Rift Valley.
Spend your morning biking, hiking, and exploring the dramatic gorges and cliffs of Hell’s Gate, and your afternoon relaxing by Lake Naivasha, with optional add-ons like a boat safari, walking tour on Crescent Island, or a dip in the Olkaria Geothermal Spa.
It’s the perfect mix of adventure, wildlife, and tranquility — ideal for couples, families, and small groups.
🚙 Summary of Hell’s Gate 1-Day Tour
- Start Time: Pick-up between 6:00–7:00 AM from your hotel, residence, or the airport in Nairobi.
- Return Time: All activities end by 4:30 PM; depart Naivasha by 5:00 PM and arrive back in Nairobi around 7:00 PM (traffic dependent).
- Vehicle: Private Toyota Noah minivan (seats up to 6 passengers) with an experienced, English-speaking driver-guide.
- Core Experience:
- Explore Hell’s Gate National Park through cycling, hiking, or both.
- Walk or bike past Fischer’s Tower, volcanic cliffs, and geothermal steam vents.
- Spot wildlife such as zebra, giraffe, gazelle, buffalo, eland, and baboon, all in a predator-free environment.
- Optional Afternoon Add-Ons (choose in advance):
- 🚤 Lake Naivasha Boat Ride – Watch hippos, pelicans, and African fish eagles up close.
- 🦒 Crescent Island Walking Safari – Stroll among giraffes, zebras, impalas, and wildebeests.
- 💦 Olkaria Geothermal Spa – Relax in steaming, mineral-rich pools surrounded by volcanic terrain.
- 🌋 Other Naivasha Activities – Visit the Olkaria Geothermal Power Plant Visitor Centre, local markets, or scenic viewpoints (time-permitting).
⏰ The day’s schedule is structured to ensure a relaxed pace while completing all activities by 4:30 PM.
🕘 Suggested Day Plan & Schedule
- 6:00–7:00 AM – Pick-Up & Departure from Nairobi
- Meet your driver-guide and depart the city.
- Stop briefly at the Great Rift Valley Viewpoint for panoramic photos and a short stretch.
- 9:00 AM – Arrive at Hell’s Gate National Park (Elsa Gate)
- Register at the gate, get a short safety briefing, and pick up rental bikes (KES 1,000 per bike).
- Choose to explore by bike, hike, or combined route.
- 9:15 AM – 12:15 PM – Hell’s Gate Adventure
- Cycling: Ride the 14-km scenic trail through the park, stopping at Fischer’s Tower, Central Tower, and geothermal vents.
- Hiking: Descend into the Lower Gorge for a guided trek among steep canyon walls and natural hot springs.
- Guide Fee: KES 2,000 per group
- Gorge Conservation Fee: KES 600 per person
- Optional rock climbing at Fischer’s Tower (KES 500–1,000 per person).
- Watch for giraffes, zebras, gazelles, elands, and eagles soaring overhead.
- 12:30–1:15 PM – Lunch Break
- Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park or dine at a nearby restaurant in Naivasha town (meals at guest’s cost).
- 1:30–3:45 PM – Choose One Afternoon Activity
- 🚤 Boat Ride on Lake Naivasha: 1-hour guided tour spotting hippos and fish eagles (KES 7,000 per group).
- 🦒 Crescent Island Walking Safari: 1–1.5-hour guided nature walk (See all applicable fees here).
- 💦 Olkaria Geothermal Spa: 1–1.5-hour visit for a warm soak (KES 600 adults / KES 400 children).
- 4:30 PM – Wrap Up Activities
- Conclude your chosen activity and prepare for the return journey.
- 5:00 PM – Depart for Nairobi
- Begin the drive back through the scenic Rift Valley.
- 7:00 PM – Drop-Off in Nairobi
- Return to your hotel, residence, or airport — ending your adventure with lasting memories of Kenya’s wild and beautiful Great Rift Valley.
💡 To keep the day enjoyable and well-paced, all itineraries are time-managed to finish by 4:30 PM and leave Naivasha by 5:00 PM.
🦓 Highlights of the Day
🌄 Inside Hell’s Gate National Park
A UNESCO-recognized Geothermal Reserve and one of Kenya’s most adventurous parks, Hell’s Gate offers a rare chance to explore on foot or by bike — surrounded by towering cliffs, wildlife, and volcanic formations.
🚴♀️ Cycling / Biking Safari
- Cycle along a 14-km scenic trail between Elsa Gate and the Lower Gorge, passing herds of zebra, gazelle, buffalo, giraffe, and warthogs.
- Bike rental: KES 1,000 per person (available at the gate).
- You can ride the full route or combine with a hike through the gorge.
🥾 Hell’s Gate Gorge Hike
- A guided walk through the Lower Gorge, famous for its towering red cliffs, hot springs, and narrow sandstone passages.
- This hike takes 1–2 hours and may include a section where you scramble through streambeds and rock crevices.
- Guide fee: KES 2,000 per group (paid directly to licensed park guide).
- Gorge conservation fee: KES 600 per person (mandatory for gorge access, paid at the gate).
🧗 Climb Fischer’s Tower
- Test your courage on the iconic Fischer’s Tower, a volcanic plug rising 25 meters high.
- Rock climbing is guided by trained locals; gear rental and climbing guide fee: KES 500–1,000 per person.
- Optional short hike to the tower if you prefer to watch and take photos.
🚶 Extended Walking Trail from Elsa Gate
- For those who prefer a relaxed pace, take a guided nature walk instead of biking.
- Follow zebra and giraffe tracks from the gate along the cliffs, with frequent wildlife sightings and incredible photography spots.
🦅 Game Viewing & Birdwatching
- Hell’s Gate is home to over 100 bird species, including vultures, augur buzzards, and Verreaux’s eagles, which nest on the cliffs.
- Common wildlife sightings include zebra, giraffe, eland, hartebeest, Thomson’s gazelle, warthog, and baboon — all visible without fences or predators.
🌊 Outside Hell’s Gate: Lake Naivasha Experiences (Choose 1–2 Add-Ons)
🚤 Boat Safari on Lake Naivasha
- Glide across the freshwater lake surrounded by hippos and birds like fish eagles, pelicans, and kingfishers.
- Boat ride duration: 1 hour
- Cost: KES 7,000 per group
- Great for photography and close wildlife encounters.
🦒 Walking Safari on Crescent Island
- Accessible by short boat transfer, Crescent Island Sanctuary offers guided walking safaris among giraffes, zebras, impalas, and wildebeests — with no predators.
- Entry fee: $33 per person (non-residents)
- Walking time: 1–1.5 hours
💦 Olkaria Geothermal Spa Visit
- End your day with a soothing soak in the world’s largest natural geothermal spa, heated by underground volcanic activity.
- Spa entry: KES 600 per adult, KES 400 per child
- Relax in warm, mineral-rich waters surrounded by steam vents and Rift Valley views.
🌋 Visit the Geothermal Power Plant
- Learn how Kenya harnesses volcanic heat for electricity at the Olkaria Geothermal Visitor Centre (optional short educational stop).
💰 Pricing for the 1-Day Tour Using Private Toyota Noah Minivan
| Guests | Price Per Person | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $180 | $180 |
| 2 people | $100 | $200 |
| 3 people | $80 | $240 |
| 4 people | $60 | $240 |
| 5 people | $50 | $250 |
| 6 people | $45 | $270 |
Vehicle: Toyota Noah (seats up to 6 people comfortably)
Note: Park entry and activity fees are paid separately (see below).
💰 Pricing for the 1-Day Tour Using a Private 4×4 Land Cruiser with Driver-Guide
If you choose to use a 4WD Land Cruiser instead, below are the prices:
| Guests | Price Per Person (USD) | Total (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $250 | $250 |
| 2 people | $180 | $360 |
| 3 people | $130 | $390 |
| 4 people | $100 | $400 |
| 5 people | $90 | $450 |
| 6 people | $80 | $480 |
| 7 people | $70 | $490 |
Vehicle: Toyota Land Cruiser (seats up to 7 people comfortably)
Note: Park entry and activity fees are paid separately (see below).
🎟️ Park Entry & Activity Fees (2025 Reference)
Hell’s Gate National Park Entry Fees (Comparison Table)
| Visitor Category | Old Rate (Currently in Effect) | New Rate (Temporarily Halted) | Currency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya Citizen | 300 | 500 | KES |
| Kenya Resident / East African Resident | 300 | 675 | KES |
| Non-Resident | 26 | 50 | USD |
Notes:
- “New Rate” refers to the fee schedule proposed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to take effect on Oct 1, 2025 but suspended following a court ruling on October 2, 2025.
✅ Inclusions
- Private Toyota Noah Minivan (up to 6 passengers) or Toyota Land Cruiser (up to 7 passengers)
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Fuel, comprehensive insurance, and taxes
- Bottled drinking water
- Vehicle and driver park entry fees
- Up to 10 hours of guided service (from Nairobi departure to return)
- Pick-up and drop-off in Nairobi*
❌ Exclusions
- Hell’s Gate NP and activity fees (entry, bike hire, guides, gorge fees)
- Meals and drinks
- Optional activities (boat ride, Crescent Island, Spa, etc.)
- Tips & gratuities
- Personal insurance or medical cover
*Pick-up or drop-off outside Nairobi may attract additional fee.
📩 Booking Details
- Booking Email: bookings@hellsgatepark.org
- Cut-off period: At least 1 day before departure
- Deposit: 50% required to reserve your vehicle and driver
- Balance: Payable before departure
- Accepted Payments:
- Online via Pesapal (Card or Mobile)
- Bank Transfer
- M-Pesa
To Book, Include:
- Date of travel
- Number of guests
- Pick-up location (hotel, residence, or airport)
- Preferred start time (between 6:00–7:00 AM)
- Optional add-ons you’d like to include
🧭 Tips for the Best Experience
- Start early (6:00 AM) to maximize your day and enjoy cooler weather for cycling or hiking.
- Wear comfortable sports shoes, hat, sunscreen, and carry light clothing — it can get hot by midday.
- Bring a swimsuit and towel if you plan to visit the geothermal spa.
- Carry cash (KES) for bike hire, guide fees, and local purchases.
- Hell’s Gate and Naivasha are safe and family-friendly — perfect for all ages.
How Your Driver will Add Value to the Trip:
At HellsGatePark.org, every tour includes a professional driver-guide who ensures a seamless, stress-free day — from timely pick-up to organizing all your activities. Your driver coordinates logistics, manages park entry, and connects you with trusted local providers we’ve worked with for years.
For example, they’ll recommend reliable bike rental services that deliver quick replacements to the park if needed, and arrange boat rides at fair, pre-negotiated rates. If you’re visiting Crescent Island, your driver will drop you at the closest access point, so you pay a lower transfer fee for the short boat crossing.
While your driver will help negotiate and plan everything, we recommend that guests always pay service providers directly rather than through the driver. This keeps all transactions transparent and ensures you get fair prices and full value. If you already have a local guide you’d like to include, just let your driver know in advance for smooth coordination.
🌟 Why Travelers Love This Tour
- Adventure: Cycle among giraffes, climb volcanic towers, and hike through gorges carved by steam and water.
- Relaxation: Float across Lake Naivasha or soak in natural hot springs.
- Wildlife & Scenery: Up-close encounters with plains game, cliffs, and endless Rift Valley horizons.
- Convenience: All within a single day from Nairobi — no overnight needed.
Ready to explore Hell’s Gate and Lake Naivasha?
📧 bookings@hellsgatepark.org