If you are already planning a visit to Hell’s Gate National Park (Naivasha), adding Nairobi National Park (NNP) is one of the best ways to balance your itinerary: classic Big Five–style game viewing in the morning, followed by cycling, hiking, gorges, and geothermal scenery in the afternoon.
This guide is written for HellsGatepark.org visitors who want to compare the two parks, understand what you’ll see in Nairobi that you will not see in Hell’s Gate, and confidently plan a same-day combo itinerary.
1) How far is Nairobi National Park from Hell’s Gate?
- Driving distance: approximately 103 km between Nairobi and Hell’s Gate area (Naivasha).
- Typical drive time: around 2 hours depending on traffic and your exact pick-up / drop-off points.
Practical note: Nairobi traffic can swing your timing significantly. If you want to finish your Nairobi game drive by 10:00 AM, it is best to start at 6:00 AM and keep the game drive tight and purposeful.
2) Why Nairobi National Park is worth adding to a Hell’s Gate trip
Hell’s Gate is famous for walking and cycling among wildlife, dramatic cliffs, gorges, and geothermal landscapes.
Nairobi National Park complements that by delivering the “classic safari” elements that Hell’s Gate typically cannot match in one afternoon.
What you can realistically see in Nairobi National Park that you may miss at Hell’s Gate
Kenya Wildlife Service lists Nairobi National Park wildlife including lion, leopard, cheetah, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and more.
In practical visitor terms, Nairobi National Park is especially valued for:
- Large predators (lions and, with luck, cheetah/leopard) in a more “game-drive-first” setting.
- Classic savannah scenes with Nairobi’s skyline in the background (iconic for photos and first-time visitors).
What Hell’s Gate does better than Nairobi National Park
KWS highlights Hell’s Gate’s strengths as walking and cycling, plus gorges, rock towers, volcanic/geothermal features, viewpoints, and nature trails.
3) Nairobi NP vs Hell’s Gate: quick comparison
| Feature | Nairobi National Park | Hell’s Gate National Park |
|---|---|---|
| Core experience | Drive-based wildlife viewing | Cycling + walking + hiking + scenery |
| Signature “wow” | Wildlife with city skyline backdrop | Gorges, cliffs, geothermal landscapes, bike safari |
| Best time of day | Early morning | Afternoon (when you want to be active outdoors) |
| Ideal pairing | Morning game drive before heading out of town | Afternoon biking / gorge walk after lunch |
4) Nairobi National Park entry fees (KWS official)
KWS lists Nairobi National Park entry fees as follows:
| Visitor category | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| East African Citizen (KES) | 1,000 | 500 |
| Kenya Resident (KES) | 1,350 | 675 |
| Non-Resident (USD) | 80 | 40 |
| African Citizen (USD) | 40 | 20 |
Payment: Through eCitizen (KWS Pay) using MPesa/Visa/RTGS/EFT.
5) Hell’s Gate entry fees (KWS official)
KWS lists Hell’s Gate entry fees as follows:
| Visitor category | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| East African Citizen (KES) | 500 | 250 |
| Kenya Resident (KES) | 675 | 350 |
| Non-Resident (USD) | 50 | 25 |
| African Citizen (USD) | 20 | 10 |
Payment: Through eCitizen (KWS Pay).
6) Tour options for Nairobi National Park (half-day vs full-day)
Because Nairobi National Park sits right next to the city, it is one of the few places in Africa where you can do a proper safari game drive before breakfast and still be in Naivasha for lunch.
Half-day Nairobi National Park safari (up to ~5 hours)
Best for: travelers pairing Nairobi with Hell’s Gate the same day.
Typical structure:
- 06:00 AM enter the park
- Focus on high-probability game-drive loops (open plains early; rivers/wooded edges after sunrise)
- Exit by 10:00–10:30 AM to begin the Naivasha transfer
Half-day private tour pricing (vehicle + guide; park fees separate):
| Guests | Price per person (USD) | Total (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 180 | 180 |
| 2 | 100 | 200 |
| 3 | 80 | 240 |
| 4 | 70 | 280 |
| 5 | 60 | 300 |
| 6 | 50 | 300 |
| 7 | 45 | 315 |
Full-day Nairobi National Park safari (up to ~10 hours)
Best for: visitors who want to combine Nairobi National Park with nearby Nairobi attractions (or spend longer tracking specific species), then do Hell’s Gate on a different day.
Full-day private tour pricing (vehicle + guide; park fees separate):
| Guests | Price per person (USD) | Total (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 220 | 220 |
| 2 | 150 | 300 |
| 3 | 120 | 360 |
| 4 | 100 | 400 |
| 5 | 90 | 450 |
| 6 | 70 | 420 |
| 7 | 60 | 420 |
7) The recommended same-day itinerary: Nairobi NP (morning) + Hell’s Gate (afternoon)
This is the cleanest way to experience both parks in one day without feeling rushed.
Morning: Nairobi National Park safari (06:00 AM – 10:00 AM)
- 06:00 AM: enter Nairobi National Park (early is best; animals are active and the light is excellent for photography).
- 08:30–09:30 AM: shift your focus toward areas with shade and water where animals settle after feeding.
- 10:00 AM: exit the park and begin the drive to Naivasha.
Why this timing works: you avoid Nairobi’s later-morning congestion and still arrive in Naivasha in time for a relaxed lunch.
Midday: transfer + lunch in Naivasha (approx. 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM)
- Plan a proper sit-down lunch in Naivasha town or along Moi South Lake Road depending on your afternoon plan.
Afternoon: Hell’s Gate adventure (approx. 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
Pick one primary activity block so you do not overload the afternoon:
Option A: Bike safari + viewpoints
- Cycle the main tracks, stop at key viewpoints, then return bikes before late afternoon.
Option B: Gorge walk / hike (conditions permitting)
- Allocate enough time to do it safely and return well before closing, especially if weather changes.
KWS explicitly positions Hell’s Gate for walking/cycling and highlights its gorges, rock towers, geothermal steam, and scenic circuits.
8) Planning tips that prevent common mistakes
Do not underestimate timing
- Leaving Nairobi later than planned can compress your Hell’s Gate afternoon.
- Build a small buffer: if you exit NNP at 10:30 AM rather than 10:00 AM, you can still do Hell’s Gate well—just keep lunch efficient.
Keep the parks “distinct” in your mind
- Nairobi NP = wildlife-first (stay in the vehicle, cover ground intelligently).
- Hell’s Gate = activity-first (you are there to walk, cycle, hike, and enjoy the geology).
Pay park fees smoothly
Both parks use eCitizen / KWS Pay.
If you are short on time, it is wise to confirm payment readiness before you arrive at the gate.
9) What to pack for a Nairobi + Hell’s Gate combo day
A combined day mixes early-morning chill with midday sun and active walking/cycling.
Bring:
- Light jacket for the early Nairobi game drive
- Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
- Drinking water
- Comfortable closed shoes (especially if hiking the gorge)
- Camera / phone power bank
- Small daypack (keep it light for biking)
KWS also recommends typical essentials for Hell’s Gate such as camera/binoculars, sunscreen, insect repellant, first aid kit, sunglasses, and appropriate hiking gear.
10) Bottom line recommendation for HellsGatepark.org visitors
If you are choosing “one extra park” to complement Hell’s Gate, Nairobi National Park is the most efficient add-on in Kenya because it offers:
- A real predator-and-plains safari experience in the morning
- A clean drive corridor to Naivasha (about 103 km)
- A natural itinerary fit: NNP early game drive → Naivasha lunch → Hell’s Gate biking/gorge hike