Lake Naivasha
Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake on the road from Nairobi to Nakuru, with a gorge walk at Hell's Gate and a crater hike on Mt Longonot.
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Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake in Kenya's Great Rift Valley, on the A104 highway between Nairobi and Nakuru. Hell's Gate National Park sits beside it, with cliffs and a gorge you can walk or cycle through, and open grassland where wild animals graze. Mt Longonot, a volcano with a rim trail, is close by. Farms and flower greenhouses cover parts of the shore, and the lake is known for its birds and hippos. The gorge walk and the crater climb ask different amounts of effort, so choose based on how much climbing you want.
A day trip from Nairobi works for one walk or one hike. Stay a night or two if you want a slower pace, or a stop between Lake Nakuru and the Maasai Mara. The drier months, roughly June to October, suit both walks best. Hell's Gate and Longonot are separate outings, so a night at the lake cuts out the drive back and forth from Nairobi. Allow a full day for each, or two nights if you want both without rushing.
Lake Naivasha in five
- Plan the drive in daylight and read the UK adviceThe UK advice warns that carjackers may set up bogus checkpoints and says to avoid driving at night. Matatu and long-distance bus accidents are also reported, so check an operator's safety record.UK travel advice
- Walk or cycle Hell's GateKWS lists gorges, Fischer's Tower, obsidian caves, an Olkaria geothermal spa and hiking and cycling trails. Non-residents pay USD 50 per adult and USD 25 per child; cycling adds a daily charge.
- Use Elsa Gate and check the transferKWS gives the route as the A104 Uplands Road from Nairobi, then the Moi South Lake Road, with Elsa Gate 25 km from that junction. It says public transport operates on this road.
- Climb Mt Longonot earlyKWS describes a volcano that last erupted in 1863, 90 km from Nairobi on the Nairobi to Nakuru highway, with scenic trails around the crater. Non-residents pay USD 50 per adult.
- Pair it with Lake Nakuru, then the MaraLake Nakuru National Park is 156 km from Nairobi on the same highway, so a night at Naivasha splits the day. The Mara fits the same loop for a longer trip.Lake Nakuru guide
Need to know
- Getting there
- A104 from Nairobi; Mt Longonot is 90 km out (KWS)
- Getting around
- Taxis, hotel transfers and public transport to Hell's Gate
- Entry fees
- Hell's Gate USD 50 adult, USD 25 child for non-residents (KWS)
- Best base
- Lakeside lodges or campsites; KWS lists campsites in Hell's Gate
- Time needed
- 1–2 nights; a day trip is possible but long
Weather by month
- Best
- JanuaryDry, warm
- FebruaryDry, warmest
- MarchRains start
- AprilLong rains
- MayLong rains
- JuneDrier, cool
- JulyDry, cool
- AugustDry, cool
- SeptemberDry, warm
- OctoberShowers start
- NovemberShort rains
- DecemberDrying, warm
Right now in Lake Naivasha
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
13
- Feels like
- 12°
- Humidity
- 85%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 98%
Lake Naivasha
01:06 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today24°15°98%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 24°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Wed25°13°85%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 85%.
- Thu24°15°90%Thursday: Drizzle. High 24°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Fri23°14°99%Friday: Rain. High 23°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Sat24°15°100%Saturday: Drizzle. High 24°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sun24°15°96%Sunday: Drizzle. High 24°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 96%.
Updated 11:29 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 129.9 KES
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Hell's Gate National ParkElsa Gate is 25 km from the lake road junctionGorges, Fischer's Tower and trails on foot or by bicycle in a 68 km² park.
- Mt Longonot National Park90 km from Nairobi on the highwayA volcano last erupted in 1863, with a trail around the crater.
- Lake Nakuru National Park156 km from Nairobi on the A104Rhinos and birds in a premium park on the same highway.Read the guide
Before you go to Lake Naivasha
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Rules for Lake Naivasha, checked
- KWS lists Hell's Gate at USD 50 per adult and USD 25 per child for non-residents; Mt Longonot sits in the same scenic-park group at USD 50 per adult.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
- Cycling is charged at USD 10 per day for non-residents, excluding conservation fees, in Hell's Gate, Mt Longonot and other listed parks.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
- Swimming in rivers and lakes is illegal in national parks and is best avoided elsewhere because of wildlife and waterborne disease, says the UK advice.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
Plan around Lake Naivasha
Rhinos and birds, 156 km from Nairobi
Read the guideMaasai MaraThe long leg of a Rift Valley loop
Read the guideNairobiWhere most Naivasha trips start
Read the guideRenting a car abroadInsurance and driving rules before a road trip
Read the guideKenya eTA guideApply online before you fly
Read the guideAll of KenyaParks, the coast and entry rules
Read the guideLake Naivasha FAQ
Is Lake Naivasha worth visiting?
Yes if you like walking and cycling on a gorge floor and want an easy break from Nairobi. It is not a big-game park, so pair it with Lake Nakuru or the Mara if animals are the main goal.
Can I visit Lake Naivasha as a day trip from Nairobi?
Yes, since the highway runs the whole way and KWS places Mt Longonot 90 km from Nairobi. A single night at the lake gives more time in Hell's Gate and avoids a rushed drive back at dusk.
Can you cycle in Hell's Gate National Park?
Yes. KWS lists hiking and cycling trails there and charges cycling per day on top of the entry fee, at USD 10 for non-residents. Ask your lodging or operator about hiring bicycles, and carry water.
How do I get to Hell's Gate from Nairobi?
Take the A104 Uplands Road toward Naivasha, then the Moi South Lake Road. KWS says Elsa Gate is 25 km from that junction and that public transport serves the road, though a hired driver is simpler.
How much does Hell's Gate cost?
KWS lists USD 50 per adult and USD 25 per child for non-residents, with cycling and some activities charged separately. Check the KWS page for the current schedule before you pay.