Nakuru County
Naivasha
Source: Ramsar Convention Secretariat (opens in a new tab) · checked 16 Oct 2026
The source lists Nakuru as the administrative region.
Photo: Bett Duncan · CC BY-SA 4.0 · original
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About Naivasha
A freshwater lake in the eastern arm of the Rift Valley and a Ramsar wetland of international importance, with Hell's Gate National Park to its south.
Highlights
- Bird-watching and a diverse community of waterbirds
- Hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing at Hell's Gate
- Fischer's Tower and Hell's Gate Gorge
More photos of Naivasha
See all 3 in the gallery ›
Suggested time
At least 1 day
KenyaPlus editorial guidance for a comfortable visit, not an official rule.
Confirm before booking
- Hell's Gate entry fees and opening hours
- Boat operator licensing
KenyaPlus does not yet hold verified data for these.
When to go
Rain affects travel in Kenya, especially on unpaved roads. Here is the yearly pattern and the current forecast for Naivasha, both from the Kenya Meteorological Department.
- January: between the rains.
- February: between the rains.
- March: long rains.
- April: long rains, expected peak.
- May: long rains.
- June: between the rains.
- July: between the rains.
- August: between the rains.
- September: between the rains.
- October: short rains.
- November: short rains.
- December: short rains.
- Long rains
- Short rains
- Between the rains
- Expected peak (2026 outlook)
A summary of Kenya's national rainfall pattern from the Kenya Meteorological Department: long rains March to May (with the peak in April inland and May on the coast, as KMD expected for 2026) and short rains October to December. Other months are shown as between the rains. Rain varies by year and place, and between-the-rains months can still be wet.
Forecast: October–December 2026
For Nakuru County, the Kenya Meteorological Department expects above-average rainfall in October–December 2026, with rains already falling from September and continuing into January.
Source: Kenya Meteorological Department (opens in a new tab) · checked 23 Oct 2026
A seasonal forecast, not a guarantee. KMD also issues monthly and weekly updates.
Kenya's rainy seasons
March to May is the main rainfall season — the “long rains” — over most parts of Kenya.
Information status: VerifiedSources: Kenya Meteorological Department: Climate outlook for the 'Long Rains' (March–May) 2026 season (KMD/FCST/01-2026/SO/01) (opens in a new tab); Kenya Meteorological Department: Climate outlook for the 'Long Rains' (March–May) 2025 season (KMD/FCST/01-2025/SO/01) (opens in a new tab) · checked 23 Oct 2026
For the 2026 long rains, the Kenya Meteorological Department expected the peak in April over most regions, and in May along the coast.
Information status: VerifiedSource: Kenya Meteorological Department (opens in a new tab) · checked 23 Oct 2026
October to December brings the “short rains”, a major rainfall season in Kenya.
Information status: VerifiedSource: Kenya Meteorological Department (opens in a new tab) · checked 23 Oct 2026
More in our guide: Best time to visit Kenya.
Park entry fees
Information status: VerifiedHell's Gate National Park — daily entry
Per person, per 24 hours. Children under 6 enter free.
| Visitor | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| East African citizen | KES 500 | KES 250 |
| Kenya resident | KES 675 | KES 350 |
| African citizen | USD 20 | USD 10 |
| Non-resident / foreign visitor | USD 50 | USD 25 |
Official KWS tariff "Conservation Fees 2025", supplied by the KenyaPlus owner and checked on 17 Oct 2026.
- Covers Hell's Gate National Park only, next to Lake Naivasha.
- Entry is charged per person and is valid for one visit of up to 24 hours.
- Children aged five and younger enter free; the child rate covers ages 5–17, and students up to 23 on an organised visit from their school or college.
- Kenyan citizens aged 70 and over and persons with disability are exempt.
- Vehicle charges are extra (from KES 600 a day for a vehicle with fewer than 6 seats), as are camping and activities.
Guides for Naivasha
Lake Naivasha and Hell's Gate
A Rift Valley lake that is a Ramsar wetland, and Hell's Gate National Park next door — what sources confirm.
Planning a Maasai Mara safari
Who runs the reserve, when the migration usually arrives, how to get there by air or road, and what to confirm before you book.
Nairobi: the city and its national park
Nairobi National Park on the city's edge, the National Museum, and arriving by air or train.
Lake Nakuru: flamingos and rhinos
A shallow alkaline lake famous for flamingos, a rhino sanctuary, and what to check before you go.
Lake Bogoria: hot springs, geysers and flamingos
A Rift Valley soda lake with boiling geysers and hot springs, lesser flamingos and greater kudu — part of a World Heritage Site.
Things to do in and near Naivasha
Photo: Galkey · CC BY-SA 4.0 · original
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Adventure and the outdoors
Cycle and hike through Hell's Gate gorge
Ride past zebras and buffalo, then walk the gorge — no vehicle needed.
Where: Naivasha
Photo: Nina R · CC BY 2.0 · original
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Wildlife encounters
Walk among wildlife on Crescent Island
A predator-free island sanctuary on Lake Naivasha.
Where: Crescent Island
Photo: RVBS · CC BY-SA 4.0 · original
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Adventure and the outdoors
Hike the crater rim of Mount Longonot
A volcano with a forest in its crater, about 90 km from Nairobi.
Where: Mount Longonot National Park
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Where next from Naivasha
Close by
Photo: Syllabub · CC BY-SA 3.0 · original
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Lake Nakuruabout 1 h by road (estimate)
Photo: Alexmbogo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · original
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Nairobiabout 1½ h by road (estimate)
Photo: Arthur Buliva · CC BY-SA 3.0 · original
Cropped from a panorama to 1,920 × 1,080 px and metadata removed. All photo credits
Lake Bogoriaabout 3 h by road (estimate)
If you like Naivasha
Photo: Mutisya Maingi · CC BY-SA 4.0 · original
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Shimba Hills National ReserveAlso good for wildlife, hiking, family
Photo: Galkey · CC BY-SA 4.0 · original
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Mount KenyaAlso good for hiking, wildlife
Photo: Matteo Frigo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · original
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Aberdare National ParkAlso good for wildlife, hiking
Thinking of visiting Naivasha?
Add it to a plan and run the Trip Reality Check.
Sources
- Ramsar Convention Secretariat (opens in a new tab) — Lake Naivasha — Ramsar Sites Information Service (checked 16 Oct 2026)
- Encyclopaedia Britannica (opens in a new tab) — Lake Naivasha (checked 16 Oct 2026)
- Kenya Biodiversity — National Clearing House Mechanism (opens in a new tab) — Hell's Gate National Park (checked 16 Oct 2026)
Spotted something out of date? Tell us — we check corrections against the source before changing anything.