Photo: Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Lake Naivasha and Hell's Gate

The Masai Mara and the Rift Valley

Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake in the Great Rift Valley, about two hours from Nairobi. Unlike most safari stops, it's a place to get out of the vehicle: you can take a boat among hippos, walk among giraffes and zebras, and cycle through a national park.

It makes a relaxed break on the long road to the Masai Mara, or a weekend trip from Nairobi.

Things to do

Activity	What it's like	Time
Boat trip on the lake	Hippos, fish eagles and pelicans, often with a stop near Crescent Island	About 1 hour
Crescent Island walking safari	A private sanctuary where you walk with a guide among giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and antelopes	2 to 3 hours
Hell's Gate National Park	Cycle or drive past cliffs, steam vents and grazing animals, then hike into the gorge with a guide	Half a day
Elsamere	The former home of Joy Adamson, author of Born Free, now a small museum with afternoon tea	1 to 2 hours
Mount Longonot	A volcano hike with a walk around the crater rim	4 to 6 hours

Why it's different

Crescent Island and Hell's Gate have no large predators such as lions, which is why walking and cycling are allowed. Hippos are dangerous, though, especially at night near the shore: follow your guide and camp staff.

Fitting it in

Most safaris spend a night at Naivasha between Nairobi and the Masai Mara, or pair it with Lake Nakuru, about 1.5 hours away. See our Lake Nakuru and Naivasha guide and Kenya safari itineraries.

Tip: Hire a guide for the Hell's Gate gorge: paths are steep and the gorge can flood quickly after rain.

Practical information

Hell's Gate fee	About US$50 a day, plus bike hire
Crescent Island	About US$30, with a guide
Boat trip	About US$20 to 30 per person
Mount Longonot fee	Paid at the Kenya Wildlife Service gate
Where to stay	Lodges and camps along the southern shore

Prices change; confirm on arrival or with your operator. See our Kenya safari cost guide.

Honest downsides

Naivasha is busy at weekends with visitors from Nairobi, and the flower farms around the lake mean it doesn't always feel wild. Treat it as a break from game drives rather than a safari highlight in its own right.

Where it is

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Combine it with

Lake Nakuru National Park

UNESCO

A Rift Valley lake with black and white rhinos, Rothschild's giraffes and flamingos at times.

Visitor guide →

Masai Mara National Reserve

Kenya's most famous safari, with lions, cheetahs and leopards all year and the Great Migration from July to October.

Visitor guide →

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Lake Naivasha and Hell's Gate: questions

Can you walk among animals at Lake Naivasha?

Yes, with a guide on Crescent Island and in Hell's Gate, where there are no big predators.

Is Hell's Gate worth visiting?

Yes, for a half day of cycling and a gorge hike. It's one of the few Kenyan parks you can explore on a bike.

How far is Lake Naivasha from the Masai Mara?

About 4.5 hours by road, which is why it's a popular overnight stop on the way.

← More things to see in Kenya