My bike skidded to a stop, leaving a trail behind me in the dusty road. Before me, a zebra stood no more than 10 feet away, its eyes meeting mine across the tall grasses of the savannah. I could feel something catch in my chest – a mix of awe, amazement, and excitement that made me want to squeal.
We stood looking at each other for a moment before he turned, dashing away as gracefully as he had appeared. This was just the first of many extraordinary moments while biking in Hell’s Gate National Park.
If you’re visiting Kenya you’ve certainly heard of spotting wildlife in the Maasai Mara or exploring the capital of Nairobi. But allow me to propose a unique alternative: a game exploration on the back of a bicycle in Hell’s Gate National Park. The park lies south of Lake Naivasha, and despite its small-by-Kenya-standards size of 26 square miles, packs some of the most unique experiences you can find in the country.Here is everything you need to know to plan a biking trip through Hell’s Gate National Park.
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Guided Tours of Hell’s Gate National Park
Don’t want to explore all on your own? Check out one of these highly rated guided tours (either on the back of a bike or comfy in a car!)
🚴♂️ Biking and Boat Tour of Naivasha – Explore Hell’s Gate National Park and Lake Naivasha
🦓 Naivasha the Explorer Tour – Join this private tour of Hell’s Gate and Olkaria Hot Springs
🇰🇪 Hell’s Gate Day Tour from Nairobi – Enjoy the best of Naivasha on this day tour from Nairobi
About Hell’s Gate National Park
Hell’s Gate National Park’s sweeping cliffs inspired the Lion King, but perhaps its real novelty is that its striking landscapes and abundant wildlife can all be explored on two wheels. Because of the park’s lack of predators, Hell’s Gate is the only game park in Kenya that can be explored without a vehicle.
Hell’s Gate’s location in the Great Rift Valley outside the city of Naivasha lends to its namesake – its location between two tectonic plates makes it a hotspot for geothermal energy. As guides throughout the park like to remind you with their friendly greetings of “Welcome to Hell,” Hell’s Gate’s extraordinary landscapes are truly otherworldly. Towers of hardened lava spot the terrain as spouts of hot steam rise from deep within the ground.
A visit to Hell’s Gate National Park gives you the opportunity to observe this diversity of landscapes up close, surrounded by wildlife existing peacefully within the rugged terrain.
Park Entrance Fees
As of 2023, entry fees to Hell’s Gate National Park are as follows:
- Citizens: Adults – KSH 300, Children – KSH 215
- Residents: Adults – KSH 300, Children – KSH 215
- Non-Residents: Adults – $26 USD, Children – $17 USD
Recommended Reading: 15 Things to Know Before Visiting Kenya
Park Opening Hours
Hell’s Gate National Park is open from 6:00AM to 7:00PM. This means that unless you are planning to camp in the park, you must exit before closing.
If you are renting a bike to ride in Hell’s Gate National Park, make sure to discuss when you will be returning with the rental company to avoid paying additional fees. Most vendors are willing to be flexible for those planning to camp within the park.
Understanding the Hell’s Gate Park Map
There are two popular biking routes in Hell’s Gate National Park, The Buffalo Circuit (14km) and the Twiga Circuit (9km) Both circuits begin at the Elsa Gate.
There are unique points of interest along both of these routes and both have high chances of spotting wildlife along the way.
While we did a variation of these routes, we actually did a much longer, DIY-style route through Hell’s Gate. You can read more about our bike safari below.
What to Know Before Biking in Hell’s Gate
Before you hop on the back of your bike, here are a few things you should know:
Where to rent bicycles for Hell’s Gate
There are 2 main options for acquiring a bike for Hell’s Gate National Park.
- Rent a bike at the Elsa Gate entrance to Hell’s Gate National Park.
- Rent a bike from your campsite or in the town of Naivasha and bring it to the park.
Note that for folks bringing bicycles from outside, Hell’s Gate charges an additional fee of KSH 215 ($1.75 USD) to bring your bike into the park. Payments can be made via card of MPESA only.
Typical Bike Rental Costs
Fees will range depending on where you rent your bike from, but typical bike rentals should not cost more than 800 KSH per day. Feel free to bargain and you might be able to get your rental fees down to 400-500 KSH per day.
Note that if you plan to camp overnight in Hell’s Gate, you will have to pay for 2 days of bike rental.
Check your bike before renting
Before paying for your bike, make sure to give it a test run to ensure everything is working properly. Change gears to ensure they function and make sure to give the brakes a proper test.
If a bike vendor does not want you to test their bike before renting, walk away! A good vendor will understand the importance of testing the bike beforehand and those that decline are likely scams.
If you’re renting a bike on your own, I highly recommend carrying a portable bike repair kit – pocket sized and handy in a pinch!
Safety Precautions for Biking in Hell’s Gate
Because there are no active predators in Hell’s Gate National Park it is completely safe to explore by bicycle. You will however be able to spot buffalo, zebras, antelopes, gazelles, and giraffes.
Although there are no natural predators in Hell’s Gate, you will be encountering wild animals, even if from a distance. Please remember that you are in their home, and be respectful of their personal space and environment.
Save energy for the way back
Don’t make the same mistake we did! The two major circuits in Hell’s Gate National Park are slightly downhill in the beginning, so make sure you mentally and physically prepare for the uphill at the end.
If this worries you let me assure you – there is absolutely no shame in walking your bike every once in a while!
Helmets are not usually available
Most bike rentals do not come with helmets. Make sure to ask your vendor specifically if they have helmets for rent, or bring your own from home to ensure your head is protected while biking.
Points of Interest for a Biking Safari
The whole time we were biking in Hell’s Gate National Park, we couldn’t help but compare the landscapes to our trip to Iceland – it felt like we were passing a new landscape every 5 minutes! There are many popular spots along the two major Hell’s Gate circuits, but we also discovered a few of our own by noting locations on Google Maps.
Here are a few points of interest in Hell’s Gate National Park, all accessible by bike.
Fishers Tower
If you’re visiting Hell’s Gate you can’t miss Fishers Tower. This towering structure was formed by molten rock shooting through a fissure in the ground millions of years ago. The final result is striking – the tower stands high above the plains and welcomes visitors to Hell’s Gate. Maasai legend says that the tower was once a local girl, turned to stone for turning back before her wedding.
The Obsidian Caves
These glassy caves get their look as they were once molten lava, quickly solidified by moving water. The rocks vary in color due to the high concentration of magnesium and iron, changing from sandy orange to forest green. While there’s not much to explore here, it’s a nice stop near the entrance of the park to relax on your way in or out.
The Central Tower
Formed through the same process as Fishers Tower, the Central Tower, known as Embata, stands even taller than its aforementioned brother. The Central Tower is buried deeper within the park but viewable from the entrance to the Ol Njorowa Gorge, standing high above the savannah.
The Ol Njorowa Gorge
By far the most popular sight in Hell’s Gate, the Ol Njorowa Gorge is a rainbow of colorful rock strata, carved within the ground by rushing water and the ever separating Great Rift Valley. The gorge is home to a number of sights: from the “Hell’s Kitchen” steam jets to a number of hot and cool springs.
Unfortunately, due to a tragic accident at the gorge in 2019, visitors are no longer able to enter the gorge independently. This means that you must hire a guide to take you into the gorge, and the lowest section (Lower Gorge) remains closed as of 2023. There is still plenty to explore within the gorge, but set your expectations accordingly.
There are plenty of guides available for hire at the entrance to Ol Njorowa, and three different routes available – short (about 30 minutes), medium (about 1 hour), and long (about 2 hours). Guide rates are $14 USD, and can be paid on-site.
You cannot ride your bike into the gorge, but there is plenty of space to leave your bike at the entrance to the gorge where you will begin your hike.
Hobley’s Volcano
Hobley’s Volcano is a bit off the usual biking route in Hell’s Gate National Park, but is my favorite spot we visited. The remains of a once-active volcano, visitors can hike up to the rim and peer into the volcanic crater, where vents puff steam into the air from miles underground.
While you can ride your bike all the way up the road to the volcano rim, I recommend leaving your bikes at the bottom of the Hobley’s Volcano Trail and hiking the 0.5km to the peak. There you’ll have the opportunity to walk around the rim, and it’s the perfect place for a picnic!
Hell’s Kitchen
This series of steam vents emerging out of bright orange rock looks like something out of a prehistoric movie. Located on the far western side of Hell’s Gate National Park this spot is certainly reachable by bicycle, but I would only recommend it to extremely strong riders. The hill is extremely steep and the road here very uneven.
It’s important to note that to access this spot you’ll have to pass through the Olkaria Geothermal Plant. This is certainly allowed, but don’t be surprised when the landscape changes from beautiful nature to a large geothermal plant.
We also found that Google Maps has the roads labeled incorrectly at this spot. While it appears that you could include this on a loop and come back around to Olkaria Geothermal Spa, this is in fact incorrect and you’ll have to come back from the way you came. Honestly, I’d only recommend this spot if you’re looking for an extreme challenge, but otherwise skip it.
Olkaria Geothermal Spa
This geothermal spa is the perfect spot to rest and relax after biking through Hell’s Gate National Park. Home to the same milky-blue water as Iceland’s famous Blue Lagoon, the Olkaria Geothermal Spa is mineral rich and great for the skin. Come for a soak to rest your bones before biking back to the entrance of the park.
Entrance fees for Olkaria Geothermal Spa in 2023 are as follows:
- Citizens: Adults – KSH 400, Children – KSH 100
- Residents: Adults – KSH 1000, Children – KSH 500
- Non-Residents: Adults – $18 USD, Children – $8.50 USD
Note that the Olkaria Geothermal Spa closes at 6PM, an hour before Hell’s Gate National Park closes.
Our DIY-Route for Biking Hell’s Gate
Always fans of making our own adventures, we decided to DIY our bike safari through Hell’s Gate National Park. We rented bikes at our campsite and used Google Maps to navigate all around the park. Having spent all day exploring on a bicycle, I can confidently say that exploring Hell’s Gate at your own pace is one of the best ways to experience the park.
Above, you can find our exact route through the park, in which we visited every major site. You’ll see we went all the way out to Hell’s Kitchen, and then returned the way we came. This is because Google Maps shows the roads incorrectly: there is no loop route from Hell’s Gate to the Olkaria Spa as we originally thought. This was a long and uphill mistake we learned the hard way.
If I were to do it again, here are my must-sees and skips.
Must sees: Fischers Tower, Central Tower, Hobley’s Volcano, Olkaria Geothermal Spa
Skips: The Obsidian Caves, Hell’s Kitchen
Honestly, I could go both ways on the Ol Njorowa Gorge. If you have the time and money it is certainly an extraordinary sight and one of the most iconic places in Hell’s Gate National Park. However, there is an additional cost to enter, and at present you cannot enter the Lower Gorge due to flash flood risk. I would certainly take both these factors into consideration when planning your trip.
Tours and Guides for Biking in Hell’s Gate
If you are physically able, I highly recommend exploring Hell’s Gate National Park on your own. However, there are certain benefits to a guided or group tour.
Finding a Guide for Hell’s Gate National Park
Having a guide in Hell’s Gate can be a great way to get to know the park better as you explore. There are a few ways to arrange a guide for Hell’s Gate in Kenya. Your campsite or hotel can likely arrange a guide service ahead of your trip, or there are plenty of guides available at the Else Gate of the park. You can also arrange things ahead of time with a guided tour from GetYourGuide.
Note that you will have to pay extra for a guide, so be sure to negotiate a price beforehand. If you are hiring a guide, make sure to ask if they can also take you into the Ol Njorowa Gorge as part of the guide fee, or if you will have to pay for another qualified guide at the gorge entrance.
Group Biking Tours in Hell’s Gate National Park
Group biking tours can be a great way to experience Kenya;s Hell’s Gate and meet people at the same time. I highly recommend group tours to solo travelers. Phone signals can be sparse in Hell’s Gate, so joining with a group can be vital in case of emergency.
Group tours range in price based on size, but I recommend looking for a smaller group if possible. This will give you more opportunity to go at your own pace and learn from your guide.
Here’s a highly rated group bike tour for solo travelers and groups alike!
Who should not attempt to bike in Hell’s Gate National Park?
Hell’s Gate National Park is certainly well equipped for bike riding, but there are still some challenging inclines throughout the park, especially the further west you go towards Hobley’s Volcano and Hell’s Kitchen.
The shorter Twiga route can certainly be accomplished by even a novice biker but mentally prepare ahead of time for a few gradual inclines, and do not be ashamed to walk your bike if you need to.
If you have absolutely no experience on a bike or have pre-existing health problems, I do not recommend trying to bike in Hell’s Gate National Park. Instead, opt for a vehicle safari.
What else to do in Hell’s Gate National Park
Camping: There are 3 main campsites in Hell’s Gate National Park: Endachata, Naiburta and Oldubai. You must bring all your own gear with you, including firewood. Here’s a great article from the Kenyan Camper about his experience in Hell’s Gate. Camping fees as of 2023 are as follows:
- Citizens: KSH 350,
- Residents: KSH 700
- Non-Residents: $30 USD
Climbing: Climbing enthusiasts are in luck, because there are plenty of opportunities to summit the striking rock formations in Hell’s Gate. Those wanting to climb can either hire a climbing guide and gear at the Elsa Gate to the park, or join an organized tour with climbing included. Always be sure to check your gear ahead of time to ensure safety standards are upheld.
What to Bring With You to Hell’s Gate
Here are a few things you should bring with you into Hell’s Gate National Park:
Identification: You MUST present valid ID to purchase your ticket to Hell’s Gate National Park. For tourists, this means you must show your passport, and citizens and residents their national ID.
Food and snacks: There is nowhere to purchase food within the park so make sure you bring what you’ll need to sustain yourself while in the park. I recommend packing a picnic lunch and some high-energy snacks like granola, fruit, and peanut butter.
Plenty of Water: There is nowhere to purchase water in the park, so you must bring all the water you’ll need with you. Alternatively, you could invest in a reusable filtered water bottle like this one from Water-To-Go to fill up along the way.
Layers of clothing: Mornings and evenings can be chilly, but mis afternoons scorching under the Kenyan sun. Make sure to pack appropriate lightweight layers to keep you comfortable while out on a bike all day. A lightweight rain jacket can also help in case of a last-minute storm.
Biking Gear: Biking in Hell’s Gate National Park is certainly no Tour de France but there are still a few items to help keep you comfortable! Bike gloves can help prevent blisters and padded bike shorts can make all-day rides more comfortable.
How to Get to Hell’s Gate National Park
Plenty of people do Hell’s Gate as a day trip from Nairobi, but I highly recommend spending a few days in nearby Naivasha if you are able. From volcano hikes to boat rides to days spent watching the hippos graze, it’s a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of Nairobi.
Hell’s Gate National Park is located about 2-3 hours from Nairobi. The most efficient way to visit would be by private car or taxi, but public transportation is also available. You’ll need to take a public bus or minivan from Nairobi to Naivasha, then a taxi or matatu from Naivasha town to the entrance to the park.
You can also join a private tour from Nairobi which includes transportation to and around the park.
Why Visit Hell’s Gate National Park?
Hell’s Gate National Park is not only one of Kenya’s most unique experiences, but the world’s. The ability to experience the beauty and biodiversity of Kenya on two wheels is unparalleled and honestly surreal – I still catch my breath thinking about the 2 giraffes that ran right across from me and my bike.
Biking in Hell’s Gate National Park is one of the most memorable experiences of my life, and I hope it can be yours too! Let me know in the comments – would you tackle Hell’s Gate on the back of a bike?
Into biking? Check out my guide to biking The Virginia Creeper Trail in the USA!
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Virginia Taylor (Ginna) is a travel writer and photographer exploring the world until her boots wear through. She’s currently on a mission to explore all 32 departments of Colombia, though she formerly called the Middle East home. Want to know more? Visit the About Page.
What an amazing adventure!! I would love to visit Hell’s Gate, but I would definitely want a guide to help me get the most out of it.
Wow! Hell’s Gate National Park looks amazing! I would love to bike to a volcano – how fun! Great tips on asking to try the bikes before renting. And on saving energy for some of the return rides on incline. Very helpful!
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