Nickname: “A Walk on the Wild Side”

 

Hell's Gate National Park lies south of Lake Naivasha in Kenya, and about 90 km north west of Nairobi. Hell's Gate National Park is named after a narrow break in the cliffs, once a tributary of a prehistoric lake that fed early humans in the Rift Valley. It was established in 1984 and though it is a small national park, it is known for its wide variety of wildlife and for its scenery. This includes the Fischer's Tower and Central Tower columns and Hell's Gate Gorge. The national park is also home to three geothermal power stations at Olkaria. The park is equipped with three basic campsites and includes a Maasai Cultural Center, providing education about the Maasai tribe's culture and traditions.

 

Named for the intense geothermal activity within its boundaries, the Hell's Gate National Park is a remarkable quarter of the Great Rift Valley. Geothermal features include hot springs and natural geysers hissing steam through vents in the earth's crust. A hot spot for climbers, Hell's Gate National Park is one of the few parks in Kenya that allows camping and enables visitors to explore on foot or bicycle. Hell's Gate offers excellent climbing and hiking opportunities with two extinct volcanoes, the red cliffs of Hell's Gate Gorge, Obsidian Caves, and the pointed column of rock known as Fischer's Tower, a former volcanic plug. Spectacular scenery including the towering cliffs, water-gouged gorges, stark rock towers, scrub clad volcanoes and belching plumes of geothermal steam make it one of the most atmospheric Parks in Africa. Hell’s Gate is an ideal venue for a day trip from Nairobi where, in addition to the bio-diversity that includes raptors, visitors can enjoy mountain biking, rock climbing and a natural spa.

 

There is a wide variety of wildlife in the national park, though many are few in number. Examples of little seen wildlife include lions, leopards, and cheetahs. However, the park has historically been an important home for the rare lammergeyer vultures. There are over 103 species of birds in the park, including vultures, Verreaux's eagles, augur buzzard, and swifts. Hyraxes, African buffalo, zebra, eland, hartebeest, Thomson's gazelle, hyena, and baboons are also common. The park is also home to serval and small numbers of klipspringer antelope and Chanler's mountain reedbuck.

​

No matter your budget, contact us and we will help you decide on the destination of your choice and design an affordable and memorable safari experience that fulfills your safari desires, dreams and expectations. Contact us today and Unleash Your Spirit of Adventure with The Big Five Adventure Safaris!

 

KEY FEATURES

​

Location: Naivasha, Nakuru County, Rift Valley Province, Kenya.

 

Size:​

 

The park is 68.25 sq km in size.

​

Distance:​

 

This park is accessible via tarmac road from Nairobi (90 km) via Naivasha Town on the Lake Road South at a junction 5 km south of Naivasha. It can also be accessed by air via the Naivasha air strip. The park is 14 km after the turnoff from the old Nairobi - Naivasha highway. Hell’s Gate has two gates that are used by visitors – the main Elsa Gate and the Olkaria Gate. 

 

Birds:​

 

Over 103 bird species have been recorded. The park is an important home for the rare lammergeyer vultures.

 

Wildlife:​

 

The wide variety of wildlife found in Hell's Gate National Park include: lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyraxes, African buffalo, zebra, eland, hartebeest, Thomson's gazelle, hyena, and baboons. The park is also home to serval and small numbers of klipspringer antelope and Chanler's mountain reedbuck.

 

Activities:

​

Biking. Bird watching. Camping. Game viewing. Hiking. Horse riding. Rock climbing. Photography. Scenic.

 

When to go:

​

As a park not so dependent on game for its fame, Hell's Gate National Park is popular throughout the year. Walking or hiking is allowed in designated areas, or in the company of a KWS Ranger.