Cycling Tours in Kenya: Hell's Gate, Karura and Lewa

Kenya is not traditionally associated with cycling, but the country has several excellent cycling destinations — from the dramatic gorge route through Hell’s Gate to forest trails in Karura and the extraordinary experience of cycling through the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy with rhinos and elephants in the surrounding landscape.

Hell’s Gate National Park

Hell’s Gate is one of Kenya’s most unusual parks and one of the few in Africa where self-guided cycling is permitted within the park boundary. The dramatic volcanic landscape — red-rock gorges, geothermal steam vents, and towering cliffs — provides a backdrop unlike anything else in Kenya.

Location: 100km northwest of Nairobi, near Lake Naivasha on the B3 road. Entry fee: Approximately USD 26 non-resident pp / KES 100 resident pp as of 2026. Bike hire: Available at the main gate (Elsa Gate) for approximately KES 600/hour or KES 1,800/day. The bikes are basic mountain bikes in varying condition — inspect brakes and tyres before setting off.

The main cycling route: A 22km gravel road from Elsa Gate to Fischer’s Tower and into the Hell’s Gate Gorge. The terrain is relatively flat with some gentle rolling. Most cyclists complete the out-and-back route in 3–4 hours at a comfortable pace.

Gorge walk: The inner gorge requires locking bikes and descending on foot through a narrow canyon with hot springs and sculpted rock formations. Entry into the gorge requires a compulsory KWS guide (approximately KES 600 per group) hired at the Fischer’s Tower viewpoint. The gorge walk takes approximately 1.5–2 hours.

Wildlife on the cycling route: Impalas and Thomson’s gazelles are common. Zebras and buffaloes occasionally cross the road — approach slowly and give them space. The cliffs hold Verreaux’s eagles and Rüppell’s griffon vultures nesting on the rock faces.

Practical notes: Carry sufficient water (2 litres minimum — it’s hot and dry). The park has no food vendors inside. Start early (7–8am) to avoid the heat of the day.

Karura Forest, Nairobi

Karura Forest is 1,000 hectares of indigenous forest inside Nairobi, 12km from the CBD.

Location: Off UN Avenue, Gigiri. Entry fee: KES 600 non-resident adults as of 2026. Bike hire: Available at the main gate for approximately KES 500–800/hour.

Karura has approximately 15km of dedicated cycling trails, separated from the walking paths. The trails wind through riverine forest, past two small waterfalls, and around the forest edge. Difficulty ranges from flat riverside trails to moderately hilly forest tracks. The forest road (vehicle-width) is also cyclable.

Wildlife: Black-and-white colobus monkeys, sykes monkeys, and bushbuck are common cycling companions. Early morning is the best time for wildlife and bird sightings.

Duration: A full circuit of the forest on the cycling trails takes approximately 2 hours at a moderate pace. A quick visit to the waterfalls and back takes 45–60 minutes.

Tips: Arrive before 9am on weekends to avoid the crowds of Nairobi joggers. Helmets are included with bike hire.

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

Location: Northern Kenya, 250km north of Nairobi (approximately 4 hours’ drive). Access: Available only as part of a stay at Lewa-based properties.

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is a 25,000-hectare private conservancy in the Laikipia Plateau. It’s one of Kenya’s most significant wildlife sanctuaries — holding substantial populations of both black and white rhinos, Grevy’s zebras, lions, leopards, wild dogs, and elephant herds.

Cycling safaris at Lewa are led by trained rangers and cover the conservancy’s trail network on mountain bikes. A typical ride lasts 3–4 hours and covers 20–30km depending on pace and wildlife encounters.

The experience of cycling through open African bush with large wildlife — including rhinos in the distance — is genuinely unlike anything available at the more popular cycling destinations. The smaller group size (typically 4–8 cyclists) and slower speed of cycling compared to game drive vehicles allows for a more intimate encounter with the landscape.

Cost: Cycling safaris are included in the rates at Lewa-based lodges. Key properties:

• Sirikoi (Lewa): from approximately USD 600/person/night all-inclusive. One of the best camps in northern Kenya.
• Lewa Safari Camp: from approximately USD 400/person/night all-inclusive. The cycling programme here is particularly well-developed.
• Lewa House: a more intimate private house rental from approximately USD 800–1,200/person/night, fully catered.

Savage Wilderness — Nairobi Cycling

Savage Wilderness (Karen, Nairobi) is a multi-activity operator running guided mountain bike tours from Nairobi and the surrounding region. They run day trips from Nairobi to the Hell’s Gate area and the Ngong Hills (a ridge of extinct volcanic hills 30km southwest of Nairobi with good cycling on their crest).

Ngong Hills rides cover approximately 15–20km of exposed ridge trail with views across to the Mara plains. Guided rides with Savage Wilderness cost approximately KES 4,000–6,000/person including transport from Nairobi and bike hire.

Practical Notes for Cycling in Kenya

Altitude: Nairobi sits at 1,800m and the Lewa Conservancy at around 1,600m. Cyclists used to sea-level altitudes should expect reduced aerobic capacity, particularly on hills. Allow a day to acclimatise before a serious ride.

Sunburn: The equatorial sun at altitude is intense. Wear long sleeves, sunscreen on all exposed skin, and a hat or helmet with visor.

Best season: June–October and January–February are the driest months. Hell’s Gate can be very muddy in the long rains (April–May), making cycling difficult on the dirt roads.

For other active adventures in Kenya, see our Mount Longonot hike guide and our Nairobi day trips guide.