Safari destination

Lake Naivasha & Hell’s Gate

A freshwater lake in the Great Rift Valley, with boat rides, hippos and Hell's Gate National Park next door.

Hell's Gate area

Covers 68.25 square km

Hell's Gate location

South of Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake in Kenya, which is part of the Great Rift Valley. The name Naivasha is derived from Maasai tribe word Nai’posha which means “rough water” because of the sudden storms which can arise.

The lake is world famous for its amazing birdlife. Hippo, zebra, giraffe, colobus monkey, buffalo elands, impalas, waterbucks and other grazers can also be found in the shores of the lake.

Njorowa Gorge used to form the lake’s outlet, but it is now high above the lake and forms the entrance to Hell’s Gate National Park. The town of Naivasha lies on the north-east edge of the lake.

What You May See / Do

Bird Watching – 400 different species of bird recorded
Game Viewing Drives – You could see Giraffe, Black/White Rhino, Buffalo, Hippopotamus, Zebra, Grant’s Gazelle
Guided Walking Safari
Camping
Photography
Boat Riding
Visit the nearby Hell’s Gate National Park

Hell’s Gate National Park

The only national park in Kenya that allows you take a guided walking safari or ride a bike while enjoying sightings of Zebras, Giraffe, Gazelle.

Named for the intense geothermal activity within its boundaries, the Hell’s Gate National Park is a remarkable quarter of the Great Rift Valley. Spectacular scenery including the towering cliffs, water-gouged gorges, stark rock towers, scrub clad volcanoes and belching plumes of geothermal steam make it one of the most atmospheric Parks in Africa. Hell’s Gate is an ideal venue for a day trip from Nairobi where, in addition to the bio-diversity that includes raptors, visitors can enjoy mountain biking, rock climbing and a natural spa.

What You May See / Do

Mountain biking, rock climbing and a natural spa
Spectacular scenery including the towering cliffs, water-gouged gorges, stark rock towers, scrub clad volcanoes and belching plumes of geothermal steam make it one of the most atmospheric Parks in Africa
Wildlife viewing: Zebra, Giraffe, Gazelle, Caped Buffalo, Eland and over 100 bird species
Raptor nesting in cliffs
Hot springs
The Olkaria Geothermal Station
The Mervyn Carnelley Raptor Hide
Tourist circuits, nature trails
Health spa