Located only a two-hour drive from Nairobi lies one of Kenya’s top destinations with 3 stunning activities on its doorstep – Naivasha.
Allow yourself at least two days on your Kenya itinerary to explore this captivating place with some of the best activities to do in Kenya.
If your Kenya itinerary doesn’t allow you two days it is possible to do a day trip from Nairobi.
1 – Why is Naivasha Worth Visiting? Hells Gate National Park
Hell’s Gate National Park, 25 minutes outside of Naivasha, should be called Paradise Gate!
Hells Gate is known as one of Kenya’s premier destinations, with plenty of sights and activities to do within the park. This place is so unique and beautiful that it was the inspiration for Disney’s “The Lion King.”
At Hells Gate, you can freely cycle or hike through the park without a guide, taking in the breathtaking landscapes of towering cliffs, deep gorges, hot springs, and steam vents.
You don’t need to worry about running into any predators here because they’re not present in the park. What you will find plenty of is zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, and numerous bird species.
The two most popular routes to cycle or hike are; The Buffalo Circuit (14km) and the Twiga Circuit (9km).
Along the way, you will come across highlights such as – Fishers Tower, Central Tower, Olnjorowa Gorge (to visit the gorge will cost an additional 14 USD for a mandatory guide), and Hell’s Kitchen.
Both circuits begin at Elsa Gate, which is also the place where you can hire a bike. Prices are normally around 800 KES per day, which is around 5 USD.
Other Things to do in Hell’s Gate National Park
Besides biking and hiking, visitors can enjoy rock climbing, camping, bird watching, and taking natural spa experiences at the Olkaria Geothermal Spa.
The Olkario Geothermal Spa offers a fantastic opportunity to relax and unwind in the naturally heated and milky blue waters before cycling back to Elsa Gate. Please note that this is also an extra charge of 18 USD per person for access to the spa.
Visiting nearby Maasai communities is also available for those interested in learning about local traditions and lifestyles.
At the Maasai village, visitors can participate in the traditional Maasai jumping dance, discover the art of making fire, and experience the daily life within the Maasai community.
- Park Entry: for non-residents, the entry fee is 30 USD per adult, and 20 USD per child. To buy your entry ticket for all 3 activities we will mention, it’s essential to have your passport with you, make sure to bring it with you!
- Opening hours: Hell’s Gate National Park is open from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Duration: Allow yourself 6 hours to explore the park.
- Food + water: Make sure to bring plenty of food and water with you as there are no shops within the park. Bring at least 2 liters of water per person.
- Getting there: It is possible to do a day trip to Naivasha from Nairobi. But, we would strongly recommend staying in Naivasha for at least two days. From Naivasha, the easiest option is to get a private driver (around 20 – 25 USD, depending on your negotiating skills). However, the cheapest and most fun option is to use a local minibus (around 2 USD per person).
2 – Why is Naivasha Worth Visiting? Mount Longonot
Located next to Hell’s Gate National Park is Mount Longonot, a dormant volcano with a hiking trail to its breathtaking summit.
This was one of our favourite, yet toughest hikes we did on our Cairo to Cape Town adventure.
The reason why Mount Longonot is a moderate hiking trail is because of the constant uphill hiking to the summit which stands at an elevation of 2776 meters above sea level. Your total elevation climb will be around 900 meters.
Due to the elevation, temperatures can be quite cold at the summit, especially when pausing to rest and admire the stunning views. Remember to pack a warm top to stay comfortable during these breaks.
On the way up there’s a great opportunity to spot giraffes, zebras, and gazelles.
Once you reach the rim, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of a dense forest that grows within the magnificent crater, almost resembling a secret Garden of Eden.
Besides the stunning crater rim, you will also be treated to gorgeous views of The Great Rift Valley, Hell’s Gate National Park, Lake Naivasha, and the surrounding volcanic grounds of Mount Longonot National Park.
To take in all of the views we would recommend hiking around the rim which is just over 7 kilometres.
But be prepared, this is a moderate hike that requires a basic level of fitness.
Read everything you need to know about hiking Mount Longonot here.
- Park Entry: for non-residents, the entry fee, is 26 USD per adult, and 17 USD for a child. This MUST be paid by card! And don’t forget to bring your passport with you!
- Opening hours: Mount Longonot National Park is open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM every day.
- Food + Water: There are no shops available in the park, so bring adequate food and water. A minimum of 2 liters of water per person should be brought, you will need it! Leave an additional liter of water at the entrance gate instead of carrying it.
- Total Distance: The distance from the gate to the rim viewpoint is 6.5 kilometers. If you include the hike around the rim, the total distance extends to 13.5 kilometers.
- Duration: Allow at least 2 – 3 hours to hike to the rim viewpoint and back, and up to 6 hours if you include the rim.
- Getting There: Instead of doing a day trip from Nairobi, base yourself in Naivasha for a few days. From Naivasha, you can either get a private driver or the cheapest option is to use a local minibus and get a motorbike driver to drop you at the entrance gate.
3 – Why is Naivasha Worth Visiting? Lake Naivasha
At the top of Mount Longonot, you would have seen Lake Naivasha.
Visitors can enjoy boat safaris on the lake, which offers a fantastic chance to observe the numerous hippos living there up close.
In the middle of Lake Naivasha is Crescent Island. A private sanctuary, that is famous for its walking safaris where visitors can stroll among wildlife such as zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, and gazelles.
The lake is also great for bird lovers, with more than 400 different bird species sighted here.
This is a separate fee of 33 USD for adults and 16 USD per child.
- Park Entry: There is no entrance fee for Lake Naivasha, you only pay for a boat trip which lasts around 1 hour and will cost between 15 USD – and 25 USD per person.
- Opening hours: For boat trips the opening hours are 08.30 AM – 5.30 PM
Nairobi to Naivasha
If your time is limited for your Kenya itinerary, you can opt for a day trip from Nairobi. You have two choices: hire a private driver or join an organized tour.
Private Driver – Hiring a private driver typically ranges from 70 USD to 120 USD. Uber drivers are your best option with negotiable prices. It’s advisable to organize your driver a day in advance as you will need to leave Nairobi before 6:30 AM if you want to do two activities in one day.
When planning on hiking Mount Longonot you should leave even earlier to allow yourself time to do 2 activities. There are no entrance fees included with this.
Organized Tour – Hiring a private driver as a solo traveler can be costly compared to joining an organized day trip which tends to be more cost-effective.
Unfortunately, entrance fees are not included with organized tours, but what is normally included is; a guide, bike rental for exploring Hell’s Gate, water, and lunch.
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Where to Stay in Naivasha
Naivasha offers a wide range of accommodations catering to all types of budgets and traveler preferences.
In Naivasha town, lodging options include self-contained apartments, guest houses, and budget hotels starting from 15 Euros per night.
For those seeking luxury and proximity to the National Parks, resorts and hotels outside the town range from 30 Euros to 150 Euros per night.
The best website to score the best deals is Booking.com
When is the Best time to Visit Naivasha?
The best times to visit Naivasha are typically during the dry seasons, from January to March and June to October. The dry seasons offer the best chances of clear skies and minimal rainfall.
Is Naivasha Worth Visiting?
We hope you can tell after reading this article that in answering the question “Is Naivasha worth visiting?”, our answer is absolutely!
We loved our time in Naivasha and enjoyed some truly unique experience in this Kenya gem.
We genuinely hope that you fall in love with this place as much as we did during your Kenya holiday.
Enjoy Naivasha!
Lastly, some final tips.
- Temperature – You may mistakenly think that Kenya is always hot. But due to its high location, it can get quite cold in Naivasha. Bring sufficient warm gear with you.
- Card payment – Some entrance fees can only be paid by card.
- Cash – On the other hand, bring plenty of cash for extra costs such as; guides, bike hire, Olkaria Geothermal Spa, Crescent Island, and tips.
- Passport – Remember to bring your passport, particularly on a day trip from Nairobi!
Slán go fóil
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