Lake Naivasha and Hell's Gate
Rift Valley freshwater lake with hippo boat rides, next to Hell's Gate, where you can cycle and walk among wildlife.
Lake Naivasha is a freshwater Rift Valley lake about 2 hours from Nairobi, known for hippo pods and fish eagles seen from a boat. Crescent Island is a walking sanctuary with giraffe, zebra and wildebeest. Next door, Hell's Gate National Park allows cycling and walking among zebra, giraffe and buffalo, with a guided walk down the gorge. It is a natural stop between the Mara or Nakuru and Nairobi.
Lake Naivasha at a glance
| Distance from Nairobi | About 100 km, roughly 2 hours by road |
|---|---|
| Managed by | Lake: private operators. Hell's Gate: Kenya Wildlife Service |
| Boat ride | From KES 1,000 per person for 1 hour |
| Hell's Gate fee | USD 50 per non-resident adult. EA citizen KES 500, resident KES 675 |
| Wildlife | Hippo, fish eagle, pelican, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, gazelle |
| Activities | Boat ride, Crescent Island walk, cycling and gorge walk in Hell's Gate |
Safari packages that visit Lake Naivasha
| Package | Price |
|---|---|
| 5-Day Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Naivasha Safari | From USD 1,810 Jan to Jun, USD 2,980 Jul to Dec |
| 14-Day Kenya Grand Safari | From USD 5,615 Jan to Jun, USD 8,100 Jul to Dec |
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Questions
How much is a boat ride on Lake Naivasha?
From KES 1,000 per person for a one-hour hippo boat ride.
Can you cycle in Hell's Gate?
Yes. Hell's Gate is one of the few Kenyan parks where cycling and walking among wildlife are allowed.
How far is Lake Naivasha from Nairobi?
About 100 km, roughly 2 hours by road.
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