Hell's Gate with Cycling, Rock Climbing & Horseback Safari

5.0 (13 reviews) one day Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

13 reviews

5.0

Hell's Gate with Cycling, Rock Climbing & Horseback Safari — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Hell's Gate with Cycling, Rock Climbing & Horseback Safari, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Most Kenya safaris happen through a car window. This one doesn't get near one. Hell's Gate on a bike, a volcanic gorge on foot, a rock pillar to climb and then horses at the base of a dormant volcano - it's a full day of moving through the landscape rather than watching it go by.

The horseback safari is the part of this trip that people talk about afterwards. The horses know the terrain and the wildlife knows the horses, which is why you end up closer to a grazing zebra than most people get on an entire safari holiday. The Rift Valley opens up around you, Longonot's rim sits above and the plains stretch out as far as you can see.

Stay the night at Fisherman's Camp and the pace shifts completely. Hippos come out of the lake after dark and graze on the lawn a few meters from your tent. The campfire goes until late. It's only 90 minutes from Nairobi but it feels about as far from the city as you can get.

Hiking Tours Nature and Wildlife Tours Mountain Bike Tours Climbing Horseback Riding Bird Watching Wildlife Encounters Wildlife Watching

At a glance

Duration: one day
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–7
Guide: English
Operated by: Daring Escapes

Ages: Adults (18–75 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Lunch (depending on the chosen option)
Included: Horseback safari at the foot of Mount Longonot (depending on the chosen option)
Included: Bicycle safari and gorge hike with professional guide
Included: Private transportation: Private transfer from and to Nairobi (depending on the chosen option)

Not included

Not included: Hells Gate National Park entry fee
Not included: Bike hire & cycling fee in Hell's Gate
Not included: Optional: Rock climbing with guide and safety gear
Not included: Optional: Camping at Fisherman's & boat ride

Itinerary

Hell's Gate is one of the few Kenyan parks where you explore entirely without a vehicle - and it shows. You cycle through open plains with zebras grazing alongside the track, hike deep into Ol Njorowa Gorge through narrow obsidian walls where steam vents rise from the ground and natural hot springs bubble up at the bottom, then cycle back out. The gorge and the bicycle safari are the core of the day. On top of that, a few optional activities can be added (extra fee). Fischer's Tower - a freestanding volcanic pillar - is there to be climbed if you want the extra challenge. The horseback safari at the foot of Mount Longonot is worth serious consideration: you ride through open plains with the volcano's crater rim above you and the horses are calm around wildlife, which means zebras, eland and gazelles carry on around you as if you're not there. After Hell's Gate, a boat ride on Lake Naivasha is a natural way to end the day - hippo pods surfacing alongside the boat and fish eagles hunting overhead. The day can also turn into two. Camping at Fisherman's on the lakeshore, with the boat ride saved for the following morning.

Stop 1
Hell's Gate National Park
Lake Naivasha
Mount Longonot National Park

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

Details of the meeting point can be discussed via Whatsapp or call

End point

Details of the meeting point can be discussed via Whatsapp or call

Pickup points

Toque Self Contained Rooms
Muthaiga Stays Boutique Hotel
Ledger Plaza Hotel Nairobi
Khweza Bed & Breakfast
Sky Hotel Nairobi
Sunrise Guest House
Jalves Kozy Homes
Santa Fe Hotel Nairobi
Enkare Hotel Nairobi
ibis Styles Nairobi Westlands
Best Western Premier Westlands
PrideInn Azure Hotel Nairobi Westlands

and 99 more pickup points

Choose the option with pick-up for private transfer from and to Nairobi (hotel pick-up / drop-off). Details can be discussed via Whatsapp or call

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Options

Hells Gate & Horseback safari

Hells Gate & Horses: Bicycle safari, gorge hike and sunset horseback safari afterwards (for beginners and professionals)

Lunch

Round-trip transport (Nairobi): Private transfer from and to Nairobi (hotel pick-up / drop-off)

Pickup included
Hells Gate (without pick-up)

No lunch & pick-up: Meeting at the meeting point (no private transfer)

Bicycle safari and gorge hike included (no other activities)