Hell’s Gate National Park

Hell’s Gate National Park is one of the unique adventurous and natural geothermal steam that you can find in the world as mother nature. Above all, is a great rewardable quarter of the great rift valley with thrilling scenery of its landscape include the towering, scrub clad volcanoes, and belching plumes of geothermal steam making it one of the most atmospheric tourist destination in Africa. Hell’s gate national park is an ideal place for an adventurous experience, located in the south of Lake Naivasha, northwest of Nairobi capital Kenya. It was named after a narrow break in the cliffs, once attribute of gorgeous lake Naivasha that fed early humans in the Rift valley .However ,the park was established in 1984 with a total an area of about 68.25 square kilometers offering both warm and dry climate ,under the protection of Kenya Wildlife Service.

Interestingly, the park is a popular place to get close proximity to Kenya’s main city ‘’Nairobi’’ which can be reached by bicycle riding, motorcycling among other types of vehicles. To note, Hell’s gate national park has a rewardable environment with spectacular scenery of land scape that is featured with greenish vegetation and bio diversity, also the spa with in the park is worth a visit. The park boosts with wide variety of wildlife, though few in number and such species are lions, leopard, cheetahs, African buffalo, eland, zebra, hartebeest, hyena, Thomson’s gazelle and baboons are many in number. Perhaps, it is also a home for the rare lammergeyer vultures, serval cats, Klipspringer antelope and Chanler’s mountain reedbuck among others. Hell’s gate is a true birding haven hosting over 103 species of birds such as vultures, verreaux’s eagles, swifts, augur buzzard mentioned but few.

Hell’s gate national park is an ideal place for team building as the gorge presents a difficult course to the devil bed room with occasional hot showers down the gorge at the devil’s bath room which comes from the thrilled hot springs with in the park. Hiking along here and bicycle riding as well as Geothermal hot springs it’s absolutely amazing adventure done on African continent.

The park is also home to three geothermal power stations at Olkaria, furthermore, a place to see two extinct volcanoes such as Olkaria and Hobley’s which can be explored as obsidian forms from the cool molten lava, then the Hell’s Gate gorge which is located inside the park is lined with red cliffs and protects two volcanic plugs such as Fischer’s Tower and Central Tower among other outstanding experiences carried out within the park.

Park’s Climate

The park’s temperature ranges from 20-300 Celsius and rain fall varies from 200melimeters to 700 millimeters. Note there are two rain seasons, the long rains start in March to April and the short rains from November to December.

Tourist attractions in Hell’s Gate National Park

There are several thrilled attractions which has made the park to be one of the most adventurous place to go to on Kenya safaris, most especially to those who are interested in real adventure below are the attractions and activities to engage in;

Rewardable scenery such as the towering cliffs, water-gouged gorges, Scrub clad volcanoes, start rock towers and belching plumes of geothermal steam thus making it one of the most atmospheric national park in Africa and in the world.
Wildlife viewing –This is best safari destination to have easy viewing of variety of animals which can be done even on bicycle, motorcycle plus other safari vehicle.
Hot springs
Raptors nesting in cliffs
The Olkaria Geothermal Station
Tourist circuits, nature trails
The Mervyn Carnelley Raptor Hide
Health Spa

Activities in Hell’s Gate National park

There are many gorgeous activities which can be experienced by the travelers visit in here such as Camping in it’s beautiful nature, Game viewing, bird watching, Mountain biking, Rock climbing, Hiking and many more other stunning activities.

Game viewing

This is the most done activity on African safari where a traveler can be able to sight see variety of species and wildlife species to be spotted in Hell’s gate national park include; giraffes, zebras, eland, hartebeest, Thomson gazelle, Olive baboons, klipspringer, lions mentioned few. A fantastic drive done through the national park allows great view of the valley on either side of the red rock cliffs where klipspringers and rock hyraxes can be explored.

Walking safari

This is extremely a unique activity where you can adventure different wildlife species on foot, some of them are zebras, eland, giraffes, bird species among others. Walking safari in here can be done along lake Naivasha, lower gorge as you can be able to enjoy unique sounds of nature and dramatic scenery, other spotted attraction to be spotted while on walking safari include hot and cold waterfalls, hot springs, thrilled color rock striations and many to view on walking safari in Hell’s gate national park.

Rock Climbing

This is one of amazing activity done by the tourists in the park accompanied by a park ranger. The rock climbing rewards with unique spots of Fetcher’s tower which inspired the ‘’pride rock’’ in the animation lion king.

Cycling/Biking

Tourists can enjoy wildlife viewing on a free bicycle which can be hired from the parking gate or else carry your own bicycle and end up with unique way of game viewing in African wilderness since the park is free from predators.

Visit the Gorge

This is one of the exciting experience in the park and if one wishes to go there must be very carefully. We advise our visitors to always hire a guide to lead you through the gorge, Maasai people who work as guides are always available in the park to serve you.

What to carry with you?

They include; mineral drinking water, camping equipment’s to those who tend to stay overnight. Other useful essential is; camera, binoculars, hat, sunscreen, walking boots, sunglasses, guide books, binoculars many more.

Accommodations in Hell’s Gate National park

On your visit to Hell’s gate national park never get worried where to stay because the park has got several unique and comfortable lodges with in and around lake Naivasha ranging from Luxury to budget accommodation which gives spectacular view of Mount Longonot ,lodges include Naivasha Kongoni lodge ,Mvuke Spa , Naivasha Resort ,Sweet lake Resort ,Hippos Safaris Resort ,Triple Eden Naivasha hotel ,Naivasha tree house and many more .To travelers who love camping ,the park is equipped with three basic campsite and camping in the park is safe , camping on African safari is rewarding ,as a traveler get amazed of the brightening stars at night ,such campsite are ;Naiburta campsite, Olduvai campsite, Endachata Campsite.

Getting there

By Road: Hell’s Gate National park can be easily accessed via tarmac road from Nairobi which is ‘’90 kilometers by drive’’ via Naivasha Town on the Lake Road south at main junction 5kilometers south of Naivasha.
By Air: Traveler can fly by domestic flight either by charter or scheduled flight to Naivasha air strip from any Kenya Airport.

There are several entry gates in Hell’s Gate National Park, the main Elsa gate, Olkaria gate, and Narasha gate.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing in Hell’s Gate

The best time to visit Hell’s gate national park is dry seasons when wildlife viewing is more rewarding due to little rain fall which can be received in this periodic months of the year from June to October and December to March.

Adventure into a perfect Kenya safari experience where you can be able to stretch your legs on guided cycling, rocking climbing, scenic hikes, adrenaline-fueled rocky climbing as well as amazing nature walk along the prehistoric Lake Naivasha, absolutely a unique Kenya safaris destination, famously known as ”Hell’s Gate National Park”.