Hell's Gate National Park at a glance
Hell's Gate National Park lies in Nakuru County in Kenya's Rift Valley, south of Lake Naivasha and between the volcanoes Longonot and Suswa. The park covers 68.25 km² and was gazetted in 1984. Cycling, hiking and rock climbing are the main activities in the park, which is run by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), so most visitors spend a half day on a bike or on foot below the cliffs.
This guide covers entry fees, cycling, the Ol Njorowa Gorge, day trips from Nairobi, the Olkaria Geothermal Spa, Fischer's Tower and Central Tower, climbing, the link to The Lion King, wildlife, camping, history, weather and the road from Nairobi. Prices are in US dollars for non-residents and in Kenyan shillings (KES) for citizens and residents, as of 2026, and they change.
Our picks: Hell's Gate tours
For most visitors a guided bike day is the simplest way into the park. The cheaper van trips leave the park entry and the boat for you to pay, while the spa day has the park, spa and boat fees in the price. Take the two-day trip if you want the gorge walk and Lake Nakuru as well.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Two days: Lake Nakuru, Hell's Gate and Lake Naivasha
- Bike hire included
- Private Hell's Gate guide
- Boat ride on Lake Naivasha
Lake Nakuru on day one, then a gorge walk when access allows, optional Fischer's Tower climbing and an hour on the lake on day two. Ask whether the park fees and climbing gear are included before you book.
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Hell's Gate, geothermal spa and lake boat
- Hell's Gate entry
- Geothermal spa entry
- Lake boat fee
The park, spa and boat fees are already in the price, with pickup at 7:00. Ask whether bike hire and a gorge guide are included before you book.
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Hell's Gate, Naivasha and Crescent Island day
- Hotel or apartment pickup
- Rift Valley photo stop
- Return to Nairobi
A full day that links the park, the lake and the island. The park entry, bike hire and the island visit cost extra, and the boat is only covered with the private option.
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Hell's Gate by bike with a private park guide
- Bike hire included
- Private park guide
- Nairobi pickup and return
The drive on to Lake Naivasha is an option, not a fixed part of the day. The park entry and the boat ride are paid on top.
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Lake Naivasha boat and guided bike ride in Hell's Gate
- Hotel transfer
- Driver and guide
- Drinking water
One hour on the lake and two hours on a guided bike ride in the park, with a look into the gorge where access allows. Ask whether the park entry, bike hire and boat fee are included before you book.
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Hell's Gate and Lake Naivasha day trip
- Hotel transfer
- Mineral water
About three hours in the park and one on the lake. The park entry is paid on top, and the park and boat parts are billed as extra fees.
Check availability →Hell's Gate tours and day trips
Cycling days, gorge visits and day trips from Nairobi, with live prices and availability.
Plan your visit
One page for each part of the trip.
Entry fee
Rates for non-residents, citizens and residents, vehicle fees and how to pay.
Cycling in Hell's Gate
Bike hire, the KWS bicycle fee, routes and safety rules.
Ol Njorowa Gorge
Access, guides and flash flood safety.
Tours from Nairobi
What a day trip costs and what to check before you book.
Olkaria Geothermal Spa
Hot pools, tickets and how the spa fits into a park day.
Fischer's Tower and Central Tower
Two volcanic rock formations and what to know before you go.
Rock climbing
Where climbing takes place and what to arrange in advance.
The Lion King story
What the park has to do with the film, and what it does not.
Wildlife
Zebras, giraffes, buffalo and vultures on the cliffs.
Camping
Campsite types, fees and what to bring.
History
An ancient lake outlet, the park and the floods of 2012 and 2019.
Weather
Dry seasons, rains and flash flood risk.
Nairobi to Hell's Gate
The road, Elsa Gate and transfers.
Hells Gate Naivasha: where the park sits
South of the lake, reached from the Naivasha road.
Hell's Gate near Naivasha is reached from the A104 road between Nairobi and Naivasha, then along the Moi South Lake Road. Elsa Gate is 25 km from the turn-off. Olkaria Gate is a second access, so check which gate suits your route. Boat rides, hippos and Crescent Island belong to the lake, not to the park: see boat rides on Lake Naivasha for those.
Hell's Gate Kenya: what you can do
Cycle on dirt roads
Hire a bike near the gate and ride across the grass plains towards the gorge area. Wildlife can be close, so keep your distance.
Cycling guide →Walk and look
Hiking is one of the park's activities. The gorge has its own rules for access, guides and weather.
Gorge guide →Climb or soak
Fischer's Tower is a climbing site, and the geothermal spa is a separate visit inside the park.
Climbing →A few things to know before you go
The points that most often change a plan.
Entry is priced by visitor group
Non-resident adults pay $50 and children $25. East African citizens pay KES 500 and KES 250. Plan to pay online in advance rather than in cash at the gate.
Entry fee →Cycling has its own fee
On top of entry, KWS charges a bicycle activity fee of KES 300 for East African citizens and residents or $10 for non-residents. Bike hire is paid separately, at about KES 800 to 1,200 per day in 2026.
Cycling costs →The park can be open while the narrow gorge is not
Entry does not include a guaranteed walk through the lower gorge. Ask at Elsa Gate what is open on your day, and leave the gorge if it rains upstream.
Gorge access →The spa has its own ticket
KenGen runs the spa inside the park, and park entry comes on top. Non-resident adults pay about KES 1,800 or $20, and closing time is between 5 p.m. and 5:45 p.m., so confirm both when you book.
Spa guide →The Lion King link is a popular story
Film makers are said to have visited the park in 1991 to study landscape and animals, and Hell's Gate is often said to have inspired the film. No rock in the park is Pride Rock.
The story →Entry to Kenya has two steps
Many travelers need an eTA, and from October 2026 Kenyan travel health insurance applies as well. Check your own nationality before you fly.
Getting there →Cliffs, rock towers and animals
What the landscape is made of.
The cliffs of Hell's Gate are volcanic rock, and the plains below them are open grassland. Fischer's Tower is a rock column of about 25 m near the main gate, and Central Tower is another formation in the park. Fischer's Tower is a climbing site, and the cliffs are a nesting place for Rüppell's vultures.
Zebras, giraffes and buffalo graze on the plains, and Maasai giraffe and rock hyrax live in the park. Predators such as leopard have been recorded there too, so treat every animal as wild and keep at least 20 m away. Sightings are never guaranteed. Read more about the rock towers, the wildlife and the history of the gorge as an ancient lake outlet.
More independent guides to Kenya
Separate guides from the same team.
Kenya Coast
Diani Beach, Mombasa, Watamu, Malindi and safaris to Tsavo East.
Lamu
The Swahili old town, dhow trips and the islands of the archipelago.
Maasai Mara
Safaris, the Great Migration, balloon flights and park fees.
Amboseli
Elephant herds, Kilimanjaro views, safaris and park fees.
Nairobi National Park
Game drives in the capital, the Giraffe Centre and the elephant orphanage.
Lake Nakuru
Rhinos, flamingos, Rift Valley lakes and day trips from Nairobi.
Tsavo
Tsavo East and West, red elephants and safaris from Mombasa.
Samburu
The Special Five, the Ewaso Nyiro River and northern Kenya.
Lake Naivasha
Boat rides with hippos, Crescent Island and Mount Longonot.
Ol Pejeta
Rhinos, the last northern white rhinos, chimpanzees and Nanyuki.
Mount Kenya
Treks to Point Lenana, the climbing routes and park fees.
Aberdare
Waterfalls, Treetops, mountain forest safaris and Nyeri.
Hell's Gate National Park: frequently asked questions
How much is the Hell's Gate entry fee?
In 2026, non-resident adults pay $50 and children $25. East African citizens pay KES 500 for adults and KES 250 for children, and Kenya residents KES 675 and KES 350. Vehicles pay a separate daily fee. See the entry fee page.
Can I cycle in Hell's Gate?
Yes. Cycling is an activity in the park, and bikes can be hired near Elsa Gate. A bicycle fee applies on top of entry, also if you bring your own bike. See the cycling page.
Is the gorge open?
That depends on the day. The park can be open while the narrow lower gorge is closed. Ask at the gate, take a guide where one is advised, and stay out of the gorge when rain is falling in the area. The gorge page explains the risks.
How long should I plan for?
A half day covers cycling or a walk. A full day leaves room for extra activities such as the spa. From Nairobi, add a little over 2 hours of driving each way.
Will I see animals?
Chances are good for zebras, giraffes and buffalo, but no sighting is guaranteed. See the wildlife page.
Is this the official Hell's Gate website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by the Kenya Wildlife Service, KenGen or any tour company, and park entry is paid through the official KWS payment channels.