A 5 day Kenya walking safari swaps the car for your own two feet. You walk and cycle through gorges, climb a volcano rim and spend two nights with Maasai guides at a hot spring camp.
- FromUSD 1,090per person sharing, camping tier, 6 people, low season
- Duration5 days, 4 nights
- StartsNairobi
- Best forActive travellers, hikers and couples who want a safari on foot and by bike
- StylePrivate 4×4 for transfers, walking with local guides
Rated 5.0 on Google from 46 reviews. Price confirmed in writing before you pay.
You travel between stops in your own pop up roof 4×4 with a driver guide. Between the stops you walk with local rangers and Maasai guides who read tracks and plants.
This page shows the day by day plan, what each tier gets you, the fees in the price and who it suits. Send your dates on WhatsApp and we reply with a written quote.
Highlights
- Hells Gate National Park on foot or by bike, among zebra, giraffe and cliffs
- Mount Longonot crater rim hike, with views over the Rift Valley
- Two nights at Maji Moto with a hot spring and Maasai led bush walks
- Small group travel with a private vehicle for transfers
- Park and community fees counted in the price
- Camping, mid range or lodge options
Day by day plan
- Day 1
Nairobi to Hells Gate
Your 5 day Kenya walking safari starts as you leave Nairobi at about 7 am and drive to Naivasha, about two hours. After lunch you enter Hells Gate National Park, one of the few Kenyan parks where you can walk and cycle among wildlife. You ride past zebra, giraffe, eland and warthog, with red cliffs on both sides. You walk to Fischer’s Tower and sleep at a camp or lodge near Naivasha.
- Day 2
Hells Gate gorge and Lake Naivasha
Your 5 day Kenya walking safari continues with the gorge. A local guide leads you through narrow rock walls, past hot springs and steaming vents, and you may scramble over rocks. In the afternoon you take a boat ride on Lake Naivasha for hippos and fish eagles. You sleep at the same lodge or camp.
- Day 3
Mount Longonot hike
The big day of your 5 day Kenya walking safari is Mount Longonot. You leave early for the volcano, a dormant volcano at 2,776 metres. The walk to the crater rim takes about one to one and a half hours, and the loop around the rim takes about two hours more. Views stretch across Lake Naivasha and the Rift Valley. In the afternoon you drive to Maji Moto, about three and a half hours away, and settle into camp.
- Day 4
Maji Moto, Maasai guides and hot springs
You wake to the sounds of the bush. A Maasai guide leads you on a morning walk to learn about plants, tracks and daily life. In the afternoon you soak in the warm waters of the spring and visit a nearby community project. Dinner is served around a fire, with stories and songs.
- Day 5
Maji Moto to Nairobi
After breakfast you take a short last walk, then pack and leave for Nairobi. Your 5 day Kenya walking safari ends with tired legs and a full heart. The drive takes about four hours. You reach the city in the afternoon. Your guide drops you at your hotel or the airport.
5 Day Kenya Walking Safari, guide price per person sharing, USD, low season
| Tier | 2 people | 4 people | 6 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camping tier | USD 1,380 | USD 1,180 | USD 1,090 |
| Mid range tier | USD 1,640 | USD 1,420 | USD 1,300 |
| Lodge tier | USD 1,950 | USD 1,720 | USD 1,560 |
- Guide price per person sharing, confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before any payment
- Low season (Jan to Jun) shown
- Jul to Dec adds about USD 50 to 120 per person for high season camp and lodge rates
- Hells Gate gorge guide, bike hire and Longonot fees are included
Get my exact price on WhatsApp
Reserve this trip
Pick your dates and group. See the total. Hold it with a deposit.
Pay by Mpesa, bank transfer or card once we confirm in writing. Free changes until you confirm.
Included
- Private pop up roof 4×4 Land Cruiser with a driver guide for transfers
- 4 nights accommodation on full board in your chosen tier
- Hells Gate and Mount Longonot park fees
- Gorge guide, bike hire and Lake Naivasha boat ride
- Maji Moto community and guide fees
- Nairobi hotel or airport pickup and drop off
Not included
- International flights and your Kenya ETA
- Tips for your guides and camp staff
- Alcohol and drinks outside meals
- Travel insurance
- Optional extra activities such as night walks or horse riding
What a 5 day Kenya walking safari Really Gets You
Most safaris happen from a vehicle. A 5 day Kenya walking safari gets you out on your feet. You see the land at walking speed, you feel the heat of the rock and you hear the birds. It suits people who like exercise and a little adventure.
The route is built around three places that allow walking safely. For a vehicle based safari, see our 4 day Maasai Mara safari. For more adventure ideas, see our Kenya walking and adventure safaris page.
How Much Is a 5 day Kenya walking safari?
Our guide prices start at USD 1,090 per person for six people on the camping tier in low season. Two people on the mid range tier pay about USD 1,640 each. Two people on the lodge tier pay about USD 1,950 each.
The price covers your vehicle for transfers, guide, four nights on full board, park fees, bike hire, the gorge guide and the Maji Moto community fees. Hells Gate costs about USD 50 and Longonot about USD 30. Confirm exact fees at booking.
See our Kenya national park entry fees guide for the fee table and the Kenya safari packages and prices page to compare other trips.
Hells Gate on Foot and by Bike
Hells Gate has no lions or elephants, so you can walk and cycle. Zebra, giraffe, buffalo, eland and warthog share the valley floor. Cliffs rise on either side, and eagles and vultures nest on them.
The gorge is narrow and beautiful, with a mandatory guide. See our Hells Gate and Lake Naivasha day trip for a one day version, and our Lake Naivasha boat ride and Crescent Island walk for the lake.
Mount Longonot: The Volcano Walk
Longonot is a steep climb on a loose path, with an altitude gain of about 700 metres. You need good shoes, water and a hat. The crater rim loop is about seven kilometres and takes two to three hours.
Views over the Rift Valley are the reward. Our Mount Longonot day hike covers the climb in detail, and our Ngong Hills hike is an easier training walk near Nairobi.
Maji Moto and the Maasai Guides
Maji Moto means hot water in Swahili. The camp is run by a Maasai community near Narok and sits beside natural hot springs. Guides lead you on walks, explain bush medicine and share their culture.
Fees paid here go to the community. See our Maasai village day tour and our Kenya cultural safaris page for more on cultural visits.
Best Time for a 5 day Kenya walking safari
Jan to Mar and Jun to Oct are the driest and best months for walking. Paths are firm and views are clear. Nov and Apr to May are wetter, with mud on Longonot and risk of flash floods in the Hells Gate gorge.
Our Kenya safari month by month guide gives a month by month view, and the Kenya public holidays and peak dates shows peak dates when camps fill up.
Fitness, Safety and Comfort
A 5 day Kenya walking safari needs moderate fitness. Days involve two to five hours of walking. Longonot is the hardest day, with a steady uphill. You should be able to walk for three hours with a light day pack.
Camps provide beds and simple food in the camping tier. In the lodge tier you have private bathrooms and better meals. Pack sturdy boots, a hat and a rain jacket.
- Hiking boots or strong trainers
- A day pack with 2 litres of water
- Sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
- A light rain jacket and a warm layer for nights
A Typical Walking Day
A day on a 5 day Kenya walking safari starts early. You wake at about 6 am, eat a hot breakfast and start walking while the air is cool. You walk for two or three hours, then rest in the shade. Lunch is simple and filling.
In the afternoon you walk again or ride a bike, then return to camp for a shower and a cold drink. Dinner is early, and most guests sleep well. Your guides carry first aid kits and radios.
Wildlife You Can Meet on Foot
On a 5 day Kenya walking safari, the wildlife comes to you in a quieter way. At Hells Gate you pass zebra, giraffe, eland, Thomson’s gazelle and baboons. Raptors circle above the cliffs, and rock hyrax sun themselves on warm stones.
At Maji Moto you may see dik dik, bushbuck, hyena tracks and many birds. Our Kenya safari animals guide explains what to expect, and our Kenya birding safaris page covers birdlife. A walking trip is slow, so you notice small things like dung beetles and tracks.
Camp, Mid Range or Lodge
Camping stays use simple tents or small bandas with clean beds and hot water at fixed times. Mid range stays use tented camps with private bathrooms. Lodge stays use rooms with pools and bars.
Our Kenya camping safaris covers camping options in more detail. For guidance on lodge styles, see our guide to lodges, tented camps and camping.
Health and Packing
Hells Gate and Naivasha are cooler than the coast. Maji Moto is warmer. Pack repellent, though malaria risk is low at Naivasha. Maji Moto is lower and warmer, so speak to your doctor about tablets.
Our Kenya safari packing checklist and our Kenya vaccinations and malaria guide cover the details.
Book Your 5 day Kenya walking safari
Send your dates, group size and fitness level for your 5 day Kenya walking safari on WhatsApp at +254 720 731957. We reply with a written quote and a camp shortlist, usually within a few hours.
Book peak months two months ahead. Low season trips often work with two or three weeks notice. Browse the full list of our safari packages for other lengths.
How to book your 5 day Kenya walking safari
Booking your 5 day Kenya walking safari with us takes about five minutes of your time. The rest is our job. Here is exactly what happens, step by step, so there are no surprises along the way.
- Send your dates. Message us on WhatsApp with your travel dates, how many people are coming and the ages of any children. Tell us if you have a budget in mind. We plan with it, not around it.
- Get a written quote. We reply with a clear price per person, what it includes and what it does not. No hidden park fees and no vague extras. If a cheaper camp or a shorter route makes more sense, we say so.
- Tweak it until it fits. Change a camp, add a night or swap a park. Ask as many questions as you like. Changes cost nothing until you confirm.
- Confirm with a deposit. A deposit holds your vehicle, guide and rooms. You get a written confirmation with every detail and the date the balance is due.
- Travel day. Your driver guide meets you at your hotel or the airport with a name board. You have their number and ours for the whole trip.
What every trip with us includes
Every 5 day Kenya walking safari plan we put together comes with the basics done properly. You ride in a safari vehicle with a pop up roof, with a professional driver guide who knows the parks. Water is in the cooler box, and park fees are sorted in advance so you do not stand in a queue at the gate.
We also stay reachable. If something changes on the road, a flat tyre, a closed route or a sudden storm, we sort it and keep you posted on WhatsApp.
Paying safely
We share payment details in writing only, and every payment gets a receipt. The payment options and the balance date sit on your written quote, so nothing is left to memory or a phone call.
Why book with a Nairobi team
We live here. We drive these roads all year, we know which camps are honest about their photos, and we know when a park is too busy to enjoy. That local knowledge is what turns a good 5 day Kenya walking safari into a great one. Our Google rating sits at 5.0 from 46 reviews, and we plan to keep it that way.
Ready when you are. Send us a message and we will put a plan together for you shortly.
Questions people ask
How hard is a 5 day Kenya walking safari?
It is moderate. You walk two to five hours a day, with the hardest part on Mount Longonot. A reasonably fit person can do it with a day pack. If you have a bad knee or heart condition, tell us when you book, and we adjust the route.
How much does a 5 day Kenya walking safari cost?
Our guide price starts at USD 1,090 per person for six people on the camping tier in low season. Mid range runs about USD 1,310 to 1,640, and the lodge tier about USD 1,560 to 1,950. Park fees are included. Peak season adds about USD 50 to 120.
Is it safe to walk with wildlife?
Yes, in Hells Gate and on guided walks at Maji Moto, where large predators are absent or rare. Guides carry radios and know the area. Follow their rules and keep to the paths. Longonot has no big game, but the path is steep.
Can children join a 5 day Kenya walking safari?
Yes, children over 10 who like walking do well. Longonot is the hardest day and can be skipped. Hells Gate and Maji Moto suit families. Tell us ages at booking, and see our Kenya family safaris for family friendly ideas.
When is the best time for a 5 day Kenya walking safari?
Jan to Mar and Jun to Oct are the driest and best months. Nov and Apr to May are wetter and muddier, with a risk of flash floods in the Hells Gate gorge. Our guides check the weather each morning.
Can I add a Mara safari to this trip?
Yes. After Maji Moto, it is a short drive to the Mara gates. Add two or three nights in the Mara for a game drive safari. The price rises by about USD 450 to 900 per person depending on the tier. See our 4 day Maasai Mara safari for a model.
Do I need to carry my own bags?
No. Your vehicle carries your main bag between stops. You carry a day pack on walks. Porters are available on request at Longonot, but most guests carry their own small bag.
Official information: Kenya Wildlife Service, the official park authority.
Ready when you are. Send your dates and group size. We reply with a clear price and a plan you can change.
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