2-Day Safari: Mount Longonot Hike and Hells Gate Cycling Near Lake Naivasha

Naivasha•moderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

2 days (approx. 48 hours)

Fitness Level

Suitable for hikers with regular cardio and leg strength; cyclists should be comfortable on variable dirt tracks.

Overview

Two days of Rift Valley contrast: a volcanic rim hike on Mount Longonot followed by cycling and a gorge walk at Hells Gate, with boat time on Lake Naivasha. Expect dramatic viewpoints, close plains wildlife, and practical logistics handled by local guides.

2-Day Safari: Mount Longonot Hike and Hells Gate Cycling Near Lake Naivasha

Jeep

Other

Sightseeing Tour

Wildlife

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

You step out of the vehicle and the Rift Valley opens like a page of geological history: a bowl of scrub, a flat blue lake, and the squat bulk of Mount Longonot rising with a black rim that once held fire. The air is dry and honest; the uphill path immediately grades steep and stony, a mix of ash and volcanic gravel that requires attention with every step. From the crater rim the land drops away in a ring—Lake Naivasha gleaming to the west, greenhouse roofs shining like small ships.

Adventure Photos

2-Day Safari: Mount Longonot Hike and Hells Gate Cycling Near Lake Naivasha photo 1

Adventure Tips

Hydrate early and often

Carry at least 2–3 liters for the Mount Longonot hike and sip steadily—altitude and sun will dehydrate you faster than you expect.

Sturdy shoes for loose volcanic rock

Choose trail shoes with good grip; the crater rim and approach trails have loose ash and occasional scree that can slip underfoot.

Sun protection for exposed sections

Wide-brim hat, SPF 30+ sunscreen and sunglasses are necessary—shade is minimal on the ridge and on Hells Gate cycling routes.

Carry a lightweight rain layer

Afternoon showers can form quickly at elevation; a packable shell keeps you dry without bulk on the climb down.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Plains zebra
Giraffe

History

The roadworks and viewpoints along routes were constructed during the 1940s with labor linked to wartime activity; the Rift Valley itself records tectonic shifts millions of years old.

Conservation

Hells Gate and Longonot manage tourism to limit habitat disturbance; stick to trails, avoid feeding wildlife and support local lodges that invest in conservation.