Olkaria Geothermal Spa at a glance
The Olkaria Geothermal Spa is a day spa run by the power company KenGen. It lies inside Hell's Gate National Park, so you pay the park entry on top of the spa ticket. The pools use geothermal water. The main lagoon is 36 to 40 °C.
Most visitors add the spa to a day of cycling or walking in the park. A full day leaves room for a soak after the physical part. If you are still choosing how to get to the park, look at the Hell's Gate day trips from Nairobi or read the route from Nairobi to the Elsa Gate.
Our picks: Olkaria spa tours
Take the spa visit with private transport if the pools are the main goal. The spa day with Hell's Gate and the lake boat suits you if you want a full day, since the three fees are already in the price.
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.
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.
Check availability →
Olkaria geothermal spa with private transport
- Professional guide
- Private transport
- Hotel pickup and return
About four hours at the spa. The park entry and the spa entry are paid on top, and this is a spa visit, not a bike or boat day.
Check availability →Hell's Gate day trips and tours
Day trips from Nairobi and Naivasha that combine the park with cycling, walks and the lake, with live prices and availability.
Spa prices in 2026
Day tickets in Kenyan shillings, adults from 18 years.
| Visitor category | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Kenyan national | KES 400 | KES 100 |
| Resident | KES 1,000 | KES 500 |
| Non-resident | KES 1,800 | KES 850 |
| Student group (under 18) | – | KES 1,000 |
Non-residents may also be charged in dollars, at $20 for adults and $15 for children. Ask at the cash desk which price applies on your day and keep both amounts in mind. The student group rate is not a discount on the child price.
Park entry comes on top. The rate for non-resident adults is $50 and for children $25 in 2026, valid for one entry within 24 hours. East African citizens pay KES 500 for adults and KES 250 for children, and Kenya residents pay KES 675 and KES 350. For most visitors from abroad, plan for the non-resident spa ticket plus the park fee, and keep a card or a mobile wallet ready.
Hours, booking and payment
What to arrange before you go.
Opening hours
The spa opens at 8 a.m. every day. Closing time is between 5 p.m. and 5:45 p.m., so confirm it when you book. Plan to arrive well before 5 p.m. so you get a full soak and time to change.
Booking
The spa has an online booking system with a date picker and payment on arrival. Maintenance days are blocked in the calendar. Check the calendar for your date, because walk-in visits may not always be accepted.
Paying the park
Park entry is paid in advance through KWSPay or eCitizen. Cash at the gate is not accepted. Sort this out before you leave the hotel. The spa cash desk takes credit and debit cards and mobile payments.
Park gates
The gates are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., with an exception for overnight guests. Elsa Gate is the road entrance, and Olkaria Gate is a second access. Confirm which gate is open on the day you visit.
Olkaria geothermal: the power stations behind the spa
Olkaria is a geothermal field south of Lake Naivasha. The operator separates steam from hot water, sends the steam to a power station and pumps the separated water back underground. This is why you see insulated pipes and steam plumes on the way into the park. The pipes belong to working industrial sites, not to the visitor area.
A spa ticket is not a power plant tour. Visits to a power station need arrangements with the operator beforehand. Not all stations belong to KenGen: Olkaria III is run by a separate private operator. The installed output of the main stations is shown below.
| Station | Nominal output | Installed, mid 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Olkaria II | 105 MW | 104.5 MW |
| Olkaria I AU, units 4 and 5 | 140 MW | 150.5 MW |
| Olkaria IV | 140 MW | 149.9 MW |
| Olkaria V | 172 MW | 172.3 MW |
The older Olkaria I units are under rehabilitation, with 45 to 63.3 MW. Conservation groups point to noise, light and vibration from geothermal development near the cliffs where vultures nest. If you want the park itself, see the guide to wildlife at Hell's Gate.
Planning a day with a spa visit
Simple rules that keep the day easy.
Swim only in the spa
Use the spa's own pools. Do not treat hot-water outflows near the pipes, thermal springs or the gorge as bathing spots.
No medical claims
The warm water is for relaxing. Do not rely on it as a treatment. If you have a heart condition or are pregnant, ask your doctor before you sit in water at 40 °C.
Stay on roads and paths
Off-road driving is not allowed and the speed limit for vehicles is 40 km/h. Keep at least 20 m from wildlife and do not feed animals. Single-use plastic is banned, so take your waste with you.
Watch the weather
Rain, also rain outside the park, can send water through the gorge. Do not enter the gorge after heavy rain. The weather guide covers dry seasons and flood risk.
More to see in the park
Pair the spa with the rest of Hell's Gate.
Hell's Gate entry fee
Park rates, gates and how to pay.
Day trips and tours
Combine the park with the lake and the city.
Cycling in Hell's Gate
Hire a bike and ride before you soak.
Boat rides and hippo watching belong to the lake, not the park. For that part of the day, see boat rides on Lake Naivasha.
Olkaria Geothermal Spa: frequently asked questions
How much does the Olkaria Geothermal Spa cost?
For non-residents, the 2026 rate is KES 1,800 for adults and KES 850 for children, or $20 and $15 if you are charged in dollars. Ask which price applies. Park entry is paid separately.
When is the spa open?
Daily from 8 a.m. Closing time is between 5 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. Arrive early in the afternoon to be safe.
Do I have to book in advance?
There is an online booking system with payment on arrival. Check your date in the calendar, as maintenance days are blocked. If you travel as part of a tour, ask whether the spa visit is included.
Can I visit the power station?
Not with a spa ticket. Power station visits need to be arranged with the operator before you travel.
Is this the official website of the Olkaria Geothermal Spa?
No. This is an independent guide with no link to KenGen or the Kenya Wildlife Service. Check opening hours and prices with the spa before you go.