Olkaria Geothermal Spa

Fed by the Olkaria geothermal field, the spa is a set of open-air lagoons of naturally hot, mineral-rich water inside Hell's Gate National Park. The swimming lagoon is held at a comfortable warm-bath temperature and has both shallow and deeper sections, with technicians monitoring it through the day. Paired with a cycle through the park or the gorge walk it makes one of the best-value family days near Naivasha.

How a family visit works

1. 1You reach the spa through Hell's Gate National Park, so start at a park gate and pay KWS park entry as well as the spa. Confirm both at the counter; the lagoon is not a roadside pool you drop into from the highway.
2. 2Drive to the KenGen spa parking, change, and use the open-air geothermal lagoon. Water is warm mineral soak, with shallower and deeper sections. Technicians monitor it through the day; still watch non-swimmers.
3. 3Treat this as a swim stop of a couple of hours. Pairing it with a Hell's Gate cycle works if you swim after the bikes, not before, unless you like sitting on a wet car seat.
4. 4Younger children who will not cycle the park can still come for the water if they are happy in a lagoon. The gorge scramble is the thing to skip, not necessarily the spa.
5. 5Bring your own towels and swim things. Confirm opening with the spa before you lock in a day; posted hours change.

What kids actually do here

• Swimming in naturally warm geothermal water inside a national park
• Shallow edges that work for cautious kids, and deeper water for confident swimmers
• A rest for legs after cycling Hell's Gate
• Open-air lagoons rather than an indoor hotel pool
• Steam-and-rock scenery on the drive in

What to pack

• Swimwear, towels, and a change of clothes
• Sunscreen that you reapply after you get out
• Drinking water; warm water and sun dehydrate people
• Flip-flops for the wet deck, plus closed shoes if you also cycle the park
• Cash or whatever payment the spa is taking that day; confirm at the gate

Parent questions

Can we use the spa without paying for Hell's Gate?

The spa sits inside the park, so park entry applies. Ask at the gate how they are charging both on the day you go.

Is the water hot enough to burn?

The swimming lagoon is run as a warm-bath soak, not a boiling vent. Still test it with your hand, keep small children in the shallow section, and follow the attendants.

Hours, tickets and activity rules change. Confirm the current details on the official site or at the gate before you travel.