Hells Gate National Park Nairobi - Full Day Trip
Hell’s Gate National Park is a premier day-trip destination located approximately 90–100 km northwest of Nairobi (about a 2-hour drive). It is one of the few Kenyan parks where visitors can freely cycle or walk among wildlife such as giraffes, zebras, and buffalo because there are no large predators.
The full-day trip begins when we depart Nairobi by road. The journey includes a drive through the Great Rift Valley, stopping at a viewpoint for photos. You then continue to get to Hell’s Gate National Park in Naivasha.
Once at the Park, you have the option of a walking game drive or a bike ride into the Park. Cycling in the Park is a great adventure, as you can ride for 7 km before resting at a ranger’s post. We begin our cycling from the Park’s Gate.
Hell’s Gate is famous for its natural hot springs, eagle and vulture breeding grounds, and activities for visitors, such as walking, cycling, and rock climbing. There are also special locations to view, such as Fischer’s Tower, formerly a volcano’s plug, the Central Tower, and Njorowas Gorge.
The Olkaria and Hobleys, the 2 extinct volcanoes, are worth a trip as natural steam vents rise from fissures in the volcanic rock. There is also a game in this park which includes the buffalo, Masai Giraffe, eland, lion, leopard, and cheetah. Over 100 species of birds have been recorded.
Horse riding can also be arranged. After a brief stop at the ranger post, you leave the bike and start a walking safari. Enjoy the spectacular views of the gorge. The walking trip or safari takes 3 hours. The hot springs and the fabulous scenic landscape, along with the diverse wildlife, are just incredible.
Hell’s Gate National Park Full-Day Itinerary from Nairobi
0700 Hours: Depart Nairobi with a stop at the Great Rift Valley Viewpoint.
0930 Hours: Arrive at Elsa Gate; begin cycling or a game drive.
1130 Hours: Guided hike of the Lower Gorge and “Devil’s Bedroom”.
1300 Hours: Lunch at a lakeside restaurant or a picnic in the park.
1430 Hours: Optional 1-hour Lake Naivasha Boat Ride to see hippos and eagles, or a dip in the Olkaria Spa
1500 Hours: Depart for Nairobi; arrive by 1900 Hours
Hell’s Gate National Park Activities
✓ Rock Climbing: Scale the 25-meter Fischer’s Tower. Gear and local guides are available at the site
✓ Cycling Safari: Rent a bike at the Elsa Gate and ride the 14-km trail past Fischer’s Tower and grazing wildlife
✓ Olkaria Geothermal Spa: Relax in natural, mineral-rich turquoise pools heated by underground volcanic activity
✓ Gorge Hiking: A guided 1–2 hour trek through the Ol Njorowa Gorge, featuring hot springs and rock formations. A local guide is mandatory for safety
Prepare Ahead
✓ What to Bring: Sturdy walking shoes, high-factor sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of drinking water
Hell’s Gate National Park, a full-day trip from Nairobi, is an ideal family getaway or a short break from Nairobi city life, located 110 km from the city. The Park lies on the southern edge of Lake Naivasha in Kenya. Hell’s Gate National Park is 14 km past the turnoff from the old Nairobi–Naivasha highway.
Covering an area of about 68 square km, Hell’s Gate National Park is one of the few game parks in Kenya where you can walk, run, or cycle alongside Giraffe, Zebra, Gazelles, and other wildlife. During our Hells Gate National Park Nairobi Full Day Trip, you can enjoy the following activities: hiking, walking, or bicycling.
Other activities include horse riding, rock climbing, bird watching, photography, and wildlife viewing.
Hells Gate National Park Highlights
Horseback safaris can be done during our Hells Gate National Park, Nairobi Full Day Trip.
Game Watching While Walking: The parking game includes Giraffe, Eland, Buffalo, zebra, eland, hartebeest, Thomson’s gazelle, serval Cats, klipspringer, and baboons. Lions and leopards are rare, but you might just see a cheetah.
Fischer’s Tower Rock climbing: Hells Gate Park features Fischer’s Tower, a prominent volcanic plug standing 25m high over the surrounding flat valley floor, framed by imposing cathedral-like cliffs along the valley’s edges. Seasoned rock climbing enthusiasts and beginners alike will often be spotted scaling their way up this imposing tower.
Ol Njorowa Gorge Hiking: This is the jewel of Hell’s Gate – a 24-kilometre-long deep ravine lined with sheer cliffs, and endowed with hot water springs feeding a stream. It is arguably one of the most beautiful places to hike.
Cycling through this Park: Seeing wildlife and enjoying the surrounding scenery is another favourite pastime for visitors. This has been made possible by rental bikes at the Park.
Bird watching: A haven for ornithologists and rock climbers, the cliffs of Hell’s Gate are breeding grounds for vultures, Verreaux’s Eagles, augur buzzards, and thousands of swifts; 103 bird species have been recorded in the Park.
Hell’s Gate National Park Obsidian Caves: Obsidian Caves (and their distinctive black glass-like obsidian rock) are located on the Buffalo Circuit and have a track that takes you to a lookout over the Fisher Tower, and the Kedong plains around Mount Longonot.
Hell’s Gate National Park Ol Karia Geothermal Project: The power station, located over the lava flow of the Ol Karia extinct volcano, exploits superheated steam locked 1,500 meters below the surface and provides 25% of Kenya’s electricity through its giant turbines.
Hells Gate National Park Nairobi Full Day Trip Itinerary
0630 Hours: Hells Gate National Park, Nairobi, Full Day Trip departs Nairobi by road. The journey includes a drive through the Great Rift Valley, stopping at a viewpoint for photos. You then continue to get to Hell’s Gate National Park in Naivasha.
0900 Hours: Once at the Park, you have the option of a walking game drive or a bike ride into the Park. Cycling in the Park is a great adventure, as you can ride for 7 km before resting at a ranger’s post.
We begin our cycling from the Park’s Gate. Hell’s Gate is famous for its natural hot springs, eagle and vulture breeding grounds, and activities for visitors, such as walking, cycling, and rock climbing.
There are also special locations to view, such as Fischer’s Tower, formerly a volcano’s plug, the Central Tower, and Njorowas Gorge. The Olkaria and Hobleys, the 2 extinct volcanoes, are worth a trip as natural steam vents rise from fissures in the volcanic rock.
There is also a game in this park which includes the buffalo, Masai Giraffe, eland, lion, leopard, and cheetah. Over 100 species of birds have been recorded. Horse riding can also be arranged.
1230 Hours: After a brief stop at the ranger post, you leave the bike and start a walking safari. Enjoy the spectacular views of the gorge. The walking trip or safari takes 3 hours. The hot springs and the fabulous scenic landscape, along with the diverse wildlife, are just incredible.
1400 Hours: Walk back to pick up your bikes and return to the vehicle for the 90 km journey back to Nairobi.
1600 – 1700 Hours: Arrive back in Nairobi
Hells Gate National Park Full Nairobi Day Trip Prices
Hell’s Gate National Park, Nairobii Full Day Trip Rates Include:
✓ Guided Bike rides in Hell’s Gate Park
✓ Professional English-speaking guides
✓ All entry fees, service charges, and taxes
✓ Pickup from your hotel in Nairobi and drop-off at your hotel
✓ Enjoy any of the activities available inside the park + guide services & Packed Lunch or hot lunch at any of the lodges/ Hotels in Lake Naivasha
| Dates From | Dates To | Price Per Person | Children Aged 8 to 12 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st January 2026 | 31st December 2026 | Request for rates | Request for rates |
Notes
* Hell’s Gate National Park is about 120 Km from Nairobi
* Walking or cycling begins at the Elsa Park Gate and ends at the Elsa Park Gate, taking between 3 and 6 hours. The walk is considered to be fairly easy
Hells Gate National Park Nairobi Full Day Trip Rates Do Not Include:
* Drinks
* Tips or gratuity
* Travelers Insurance
* Communication charges
* Minimum of one person required
* Visas, international airfares, and airport taxes; meals
* Sightseeing not included in the package; optional activities
* Personal expenses such as transfers to/ from the airport (supplement airport transfer cost applies for tours starting from the airport) etc.
Booking & Reservations, Hells Gate National Park Nairobi Full Day Trip, Contact
Mobile: +254-721-242-711
WhatsApp: +254-721-242-711
Reservations: +254 718-179-967
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://africanspicesafaris.com