National park
National park
Hell's Gate National Park & Lake Naivasha
Cycle among zebras through Rift Valley gorges.
- Rift Valley
- Best: Jan–Feb, Aug–Sep
- Entry from US$50
Overview
- Area
- About 68 km²
- Gazetted
- 1984
- Gate
- Elsa Gate, 25 km from Moi South Lake Road
- From Nairobi
- About 2 hours
Hell's Gate was gazetted in 1984 and covers about 68 km² of the Rift Valley floor near Lake Naivasha. Towering cliffs, water-carved gorges and geothermal vents give the park its name.
With no big predators commonly seen, visitors can cycle and walk among zebras, giraffes and buffaloes, and climb Fischer's Tower, a volcanic plug.
The Olkaria geothermal spa is inside the park, and freshwater Lake Naivasha, a short drive away, offers boat trips to see hippos and fish eagles.
- Cycling safari
Ride the valley floor among plains game.
- Hell's Gate Gorge
Guided walks through the gorge.
- Olkaria geothermal spa
Warm geothermal pools inside the park.
Things to do
- CyclingUS$10 a day
Bikes for hire at the gate.
- Rock climbing
Fischer's Tower and the gorge cliffs.
- Boat trip on Lake Naivasha
Hippos and birds; run by private operators.
Prices are the foreign non-resident rate per person. Resident and East African rates are lower; see the full table below.
Wildlife and nature to look for
When to go
Dry months are best; the gorge can flood in heavy rain.
- Jan: Best
- Feb: Best
- Mar: Good
- Apr: Wetter
- May: Wetter
- Jun: Good
- Jul: Good
- Aug: Best
- Sep: Best
- Oct: Good
- Nov: Wetter
- Dec: Good
Fees and permits
Official rates from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS Conservation Fees 2025 (Legal Notice 160 of 2025)). Children, vehicle and accommodation rates are in the full tariff.
| Item | Foreign non-resident | Foreign resident | Rest of Africa | East African citizen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (adult)per person, valid 24 hoursChildren 5–17: KES 250 / KES 350 / US$25 / US$10 (citizen / resident / non-resident / African citizen). | US$50 | KES 675 | US$20 | KES 500 |
| Cyclingper day, excluding entry | US$10 | KES 300 | US$10 | KES 300 |
- Park entry (adult)per person, valid 24 hours
- Foreign non-resident
- US$50
- Foreign resident
- KES 675
- Rest of Africa
- US$20
- East African citizen
- KES 500
Children 5–17: KES 250 / KES 350 / US$25 / US$10 (citizen / resident / non-resident / African citizen).
- Cyclingper day, excluding entry
- Foreign non-resident
- US$10
- Foreign resident
- KES 300
- Rest of Africa
- US$10
- East African citizen
- KES 300
- Fees are paid cashless through KWSPay on eCitizen. Children are aged 5–17.
- The Kenya Tourism Federation challenged these rates in the High Court in October 2025; KWS republished the same rates in 2026. Confirm the amount when you pay.
Getting there
- By roadFrom NairobiAbout 2 hours
A104 to Naivasha, then Moi South Lake Road to Elsa Gate.
Open larger map Directions Marker shows an approximate location.
Photos
Know before you go
- Gorge walks need a guide and can be closed after heavy rain.
- Bring water and sun protection for cycling.
Frequently asked questions
Can you cycle in Hell's Gate?
Yes. It is one of the few Kenyan parks where you can cycle and walk among wildlife. KWS charges KES 300 or US$10 a day for cycling, plus entry.
Sources
Checked on 23 October 2026. Fees and rules change; confirm with the authority or your operator before you pay.
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