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Key Info for Visitors
- Currency: KES
- Languages: English, Swahili, Kikuyu, Maasai
- Climate: Tropical highland
- Timezone: Africa/Nairobi
- Population: Approximately 198,000
- Best Time to Visit: best time to visit is during the dry seasons for comfortable weather and wildlife viewing.
- Visa Requirements Visitors to Naivasha, Kenya generally require a visa unless they come from visa-exempt countries. Citizens of the US, EU, and UK can obtain an e-visa online before arrival or a visa on arrival at major entry points. A valid passport, return ticket, and proof of accommodation are typically required. Visa-free access is granted to some African countries and select others depending on bilateral agreements.
About Naivasha
Naivasha is a vibrant town nestled in Kenya’s Rift Valley, renowned for its stunning freshwater lake and rich biodiversity. It offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural experiences, making it a favored destination for travelers seeking both relaxation and adventure. The town is surrounded by scenic landscapes including volcanic hills and hot springs, providing a picturesque backdrop for visitors. Naivasha’s lake is a haven for birdwatchers, with species like flamingos and fish eagles commonly sighted. The nearby Hell’s Gate National Park offers dramatic cliffs, gorges, and geothermal features, perfect for hiking and cycling enthusiasts. Beyond nature, Naivasha is a hub for flower farming, contributing significantly to Kenya’s economy. Visitors can explore local markets, enjoy fresh produce, and experience authentic Kenyan hospitality. The town’s proximity to Nairobi makes it an accessible escape from the city’s bustle. Whether you are interested in wildlife safaris, boat rides on the lake, or cultural tours, Naivasha provides a diverse array of activities that cater to all types of travelers.
Top Attractions
1. Lake Naivasha: A freshwater lake famous for its birdlife and boat rides where hippos can often be seen. 2. Hell’s Gate National Park: Known for its dramatic scenery, hiking trails, and opportunities to see wildlife on foot or by bike. 3. Crescent Island Game Sanctuary: A private island offering walking safaris among free-roaming animals like zebras and giraffes. 4. Mount Longonot National Park: A dormant volcano with a challenging hike to the crater rim, offering panoramic views. 5. Elsamere Conservation Centre: The former home of Joy Adamson, dedicated to wildlife conservation and education.
Popular Activities
Visitors to Naivasha can enjoy boat safaris on Lake Naivasha to observe hippos and birds, hiking and cycling in Hell’s Gate National Park, and walking safaris on Crescent Island. Mount Longonot offers adventurous trekking with rewarding views. Cultural experiences include visiting flower farms, local markets, and conservation centers. Fishing, birdwatching, and photography are popular recreational activities. The area also offers opportunities for horseback riding and camping in natural settings.
Naivasha Tours & Experiences
- Top Attractions: Highlights of Central Kenya
- Duration Range: 2 to 10 hours
- Group Size: Private or shared tours
- Difficulty Level: Mixed Difficulty
- Recommended For: The best time to visit is during the dry seasons for comfortable weather and wildlife viewing. Pack lightweight clothing for daytime and warmer layers for cooler evenings. Bring sun protection, insect repellent, and comfortable walking shoes. Respect local customs by dressing modestly in rural areas and asking permission before photographing people. Stay hydrated and drink bottled water. Use registered guides for safaris and avoid walking alone at night. Carry some Kenyan shillings for small purchases as not all places accept cards.
Average Tour Price: $80
Lowest Price Tour: $50
Highest Price Tour: $200
17 Available Tour Excursions in Naivasha
Forget safari vans, this is hiking, biking, & raw Kenyan adventure. This is Hells Gate National park! My guides know the park inside-out; we find the hidden magic others miss. Feel the thrill of hiking through the volcanic Ol Njorowa Gorge, steam swirling around you. Optional: For the adrenaline junkies among us, Fischer's Tower awaits. With safety gear and a whole lot of determination, we'll conquer this iconic rock formation. (Extra fee) Sense the rush of wind in your hair as you cycle back alongside zebras and gazelles. As the sun dips below the horizon, you can choose to extend your adventure and spend the night at Fisherman's Campsite right at Lake Naivasha. No hotel beats bonfires and hippos calling under a sky full of stars. Tents up, campfire crackling – this is classic African wilderness at its best. Away from city lights, the Milky Way stretches out like a diamond-studded blanket. An unforgettable day for adventure seekers and outdoor lovers!
Price: $40.00
Duration: 24 hours
This Ebike Cycling tour was introduced by Africa Unlocked Tours and Travel as part of a long term solution to tourist vehicle congestion and pollution inside Hell'sgate National Park. By participating, you support our initiative while at the same time impacting the lives of the local community that relies on the park for survival.
Price: $140.00
Duration: 4-8 hours
The towering cliffs, water-formed gorges, wild animals, birds, and unique flora give this park an almost magical feel. The park itself was established back in 1984 and named 'Hell's Gate' due to powerful forces shaping the national park from below. Dramatic volcanic rocky outcrops, obsidian caves, spitting geysers, rock towers, sandstone cliffs, and water gouged gorges are what make this park worth visiting. Hell's Gate National Park is a great choice for thrill-seekers; mountain biking, rock climbing, and hiking are some of the available activities.
Price: $200.00
Duration: 6-8 hours
We provide quality assurance and the equipments we use are of good quality and our guides are professional guides and we encourage the clients to pay after the services to confirm if the fees charged are worth the services and fees charged
Price: $153.00
Duration: 6 hours
On this safari, you will have a chance to have a birdwatching session and see many species of birds and mostly the pink flamingos. You also get to see animals from Soysambu Conservancy. It's a lifetime experience.
Price: $675.00
Duration: 48 hours
This tour entails all the ingredients for a wonderful experience such as Wildlife viewing with different types of animal and bird species at display. An experienced, professional and friendly guide to take through the tour. A relaxing experience after the walk and bike tour in the park while Boat Riding at the Lake Naivasha. The tour will also leave you relaxed and satisfied with the view of nature as the sceneries in the trails attribute to that. It is a fun tour and an adventurous one and the fulfillment after the tour will leave you yearning for another. If you are an adventurous person, a wildlife and safari enthusiast, this is the perfect tour for you. There is also a Maasai market at the entrance to the Gorges where on will be immersed in a rich cultural experience and the chance to interact with the tribesmen and women.
Price: $92.00
Duration: 5-8 hours
A tour to Hell’s Gate National Park and Lake Naivasha offers a unique blend of adventure and serenity. At Hell’s Gate, you can cycle or walk alongside wildlife like zebras and giraffes in a dramatic landscape of cliffs, gorges, and geothermal activity—one of the few parks in Kenya that allows this kind of up-close exploration. After lunch, enjoy a scenic boat ride on Lake Naivasha, where you’ll spot hippos, waterbucks, and a variety of birds, including African fish eagles. The boat passes by Crescent Island, home to free-roaming wildlife like giraffes and antelopes. This tour is perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers, offering both land and water experiences in one day. Located just a short drive from Nairobi, it’s an ideal getaway that showcases the rich biodiversity and stunning scenery of Kenya’s Rift Valley in a compact, unforgettable itinerary.
Price: $40.00
Duration: 8-10 hours
This day trip takes you 90 km northwest of Nairobi to the floor of the Great Rift Valley. The park provides a variety of wildlife, unusual flora, and many species of birds and is one of the only two Kenyan Parks where climbing, walking, and biking are allowed. Animals seen here include Bushbucks, Dik Dik, Gazelles, Gnus, Hartebeests, Impalas, Klipspringers, Buffaloes, Hyraxes, Zebras, Hyenas, Jackals, Mongooses, Baboons, Monkeys and Porcupines amongst other animals. Hell's Gate National Park entry fee is USD 27 payable by Visa or credit card through E-citizen. The fee for the boat ride if you choose to participate in the boat ride, is USD 25 per person.
Price: $43.00
Duration: 11 hours
Enjoy a day tour visiting Hell's Gate National Park, the only park where you can drive, walk and do some cycling within the Park then spice up your excursion with a boat ride in Lake Naivasha where you get a chance to spot the big hippos on the shores of the lake and different species of water bird.
Price: $265.00
Duration: 10 hours
This 8 days kenya safari will have you visit incredible national parks and giving you the chance to get out and really experience the East African savannah. it includes all the highlights of wildlife safari in Kenya, that is; Lake Nakuru National Park, The Maasai Mara National Park, The Menengai Crater as well as the smaller but beautiful Crescent Island and Amboseli National Parsk. The Safari is also great for bird watchers as Lake Nakuru and Naivasha are one of the top spots for bird watching in the entire East Africa Eco system.
Price: $5,670.00
Duration: 192 hours
An exclusive tour for all the romantics of the world! Together with the professional local guide, you will visit the most romantic places in the city. Naivasha is known to be incredibly romantic for couples, with tons of interesting things to do with each other to have a unique experience. You will feel spellbound in a charming atmosphere. What is considered as one of the best places to have a date in the city? Where can you make lovely photos? You will be surprised how many historical love stories are hidden in the streets, buildings, parks of the city. From heartbreaking and tragic, to the hilarious or spicy ones. What is so special about 'Ol Karia'? What makes it a popular spot for couples? Naivasha is a land of beauty making it the perfect city to take your significant partner. This tour is especially recommended in the Saint Valentine period!
Price: $490.54
Duration: 2 hours
This is a perfect destination for a one day visit to connect with nature and a relaxation at the lakeside. The tour offers a rare chance to see wildlife outside of a safari vehicle while exploring a scenic part of the Great Rift Valley. Round trip transfer from Nairobi. Private tour with a local guide/driver.
Price: $154.00
Duration: 7-8 hours
Zanzibar Island is a jewel in the ocean, surrounded by beaches that rate among the finest in the world. Here you can swim, snorkel or just lounge the hours away, while shoals of luminous fish graze over nearby coral gardens and pods of dolphins frolic offshore
Price: $3,495.00
Duration: 192 hours
This is a private Transfer for your party only. This transfer is for clients who have booked Lodges in Maasai mara and they just want to be dropped to Maasai mara. The lodges have their own open Jeeps for game drives but they dont pick in Nairobi due to regulations restricting open sided cars on highways. They only pick at the gate. You have a chance to see the beautiful scenery on the way and we will stop at the great rift valley view point. We pick up at the airport in Nairobi at NO extra cost. NOTE;Upon request. We are happy to offer GAME DRIVES in maasai mara too at an extra cost since most of the lodges offer shared expensive game drives and in short Intervals.
Price: $135.00
Duration: 4-5 hours
Embark on an exciting one-day private tour from Nairobi, exploring both Hells Gate National Park and Lake Naivasha. Begin your adventure at Hells Gate, where you can either walk or cycle through the park, encountering wildlife such as zebras and gnus along the way. Afterward, make your way to Lake Naivasha for a scenic boat ride, where you might spot hippos and a wide array of bird species. It’s the perfect day trip to immerse yourself in nature’s beauty and wildlife!
Price: $54.28
Duration: 9 hours
Together with the professional guide, you will visit the most charming places in the city. Naivasha is basically an open-air museum, and there's no better place in Kenya to simply lose yourself in the wonders of the ancient world. Have you heard about the Lord Egerton Castle? You will have a chance to explore the city while hearing fascinating facts and legends. Naivasha is home to hundreds of birds thus making it an ideal place to go and watch the various types of lovely birds. You will be surprised how many stories are hidden in the streets, buildings, and corners of Naivasha. Your charming guide will tell you what is special and unique about living in this city. Perfect for those who are visiting the city for the first time and want to get the most of it!
Price: $490.54
Duration: 2 hours
Immerse yourself in the natural splendor of the Great Rift Valley with our Hell’s Gate & Crescent Island Day Tour. This full-day excursion combines the dramatic landscapes and wildlife of Hell’s Gate National Park with the serene beauty of Lake Naivasha. Explore geothermal wonders, spot diverse wildlife, and enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the lake. This tour is ideal for nature lovers and adventure seekers looking to experience two of Kenya’s most stunning destinations in one day.
Price: $175.00
Duration: 8 hours
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3. Book Online
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Important Tour Information
- Bring comfortable walking shoes and appropriate clothing
- Check tour cancellation and refund policies
- Arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes early
- Carry valid identification and tour booking confirmation
Frequently Asked Questions
Local Food & Cuisine
Naivasha’s cuisine reflects Kenyan traditions with staples like ugali (maize porridge), sukuma wiki (collard greens), and nyama choma (grilled meat). Fresh fish from the lake is also popular. Local markets offer tropical fruits and vegetables. Dining ranges from casual local eateries serving traditional dishes to upscale lodges with international menus. Noteworthy restaurants include The Ranch House and Fisherman’s Camp, both known for fresh, locally sourced ingredients and authentic flavors.
Getting Around
Naivasha is accessible by road from Nairobi, approximately a 1.5 to 2-hour drive. Public transport includes matatus (shared minibuses) and buses. Local transport options include boda bodas (motorcycle taxis) and taxis. For exploring attractions, hiring a private car or joining guided tours is common. Costs are generally affordable, but negotiating fares beforehand is advised. The nearest major airport is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.
Travel Tips
The best time to visit is during the dry seasons for comfortable weather and wildlife viewing. Pack lightweight clothing for daytime and warmer layers for cooler evenings. Bring sun protection, insect repellent, and comfortable walking shoes. Respect local customs by dressing modestly in rural areas and asking permission before photographing people. Stay hydrated and drink bottled water. Use registered guides for safaris and avoid walking alone at night. Carry some Kenyan shillings for small purchases as not all places accept cards.
Culture & Customs
Naivasha’s culture is influenced by the Kikuyu and Maasai communities, with strong traditions in hospitality and respect for elders. Social customs include greeting with a handshake and using polite language. Festivals such as the Lake Naivasha Cultural Festival celebrate local music, dance, and crafts. Visitors should be mindful of local norms around dress and behavior, especially in rural areas and places of worship. Gift-giving and bargaining are common in markets, but should be done respectfully.
