Travel Guide To Hell's Gate National Park, Wildlife Attractions and Activities In Hell's Gate National Park, Kenya
Named for the intense geothermal activity within its boundaries, the Hell's Gate National Park is a remarkable quarter of the Great Rift Valley. 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.
A bush walking safari in Hell's Gate National Park is an adventure-packed activity where participants embark on relaxed, guided walks in a wildlife conservation area to see wild animals more naturally without using a vehicle, and there’s nothing quite like the excitement of walking in the African Bush.
Apart from the rush of adrenalin from being close to potentially dangerous animals, a ‘Bush Walk’ is also the closest-to-wildlife & and nature experience that one could have – indeed, in some ways, it recreates an experience of pre-historic humans when they coexisted with wild animals. That said, regulated and well-guided walks are safe and very enjoyable – recommended for the ‘outdoors’ and ‘intrepid’ type of traveler.
Situated just south of Lake Naivasha, Hell's Gate National Park is the only national park in Kenya that you can explore on foot.
Unlike other national parks in Kenya, there are no predators here apart from the occasional leopard sighting.
Instead, the appeal comes from the beautiful scenery formed by millions of years of geothermal activity.
The park itself was established back in 1984 and named 'Hell's Gate' due to powerful forces shaping the national park from below.
Dramatic volcanic rocky outcrops, obsidian caves, spitting geysers, rock towers, sandstone cliffs, and water-gouged gorges are what make this park worth visiting.
Hell's Gate National Park is a great choice for thrill-seekers; mountain biking, rock climbing, and hiking are some of the available activities.
Hell's Gate also offers visitors a bicycle safari where they ride past grazing zebra, giraffe, impala, buffalo, and baboon. There are opportunities for climbing that are plentiful, accessible, and unchallenging on the Park’s volcanic spires. Hell's Gate landscape is striking as well, greeting visitors with dramatic gorges, great towers, looming cliffs, and steaming columns of geothermal clouds escaping from the rocks.
Though there are populations of the larger hunters like lion, leopard, and cheetah, their numbers are small and sightings rare, so you can walk or ride in peace, enjoying close-up views of eland, hartebeest, gazelle, antelope, and over 130 species of birds. The park is also a sanctuary for the rare bearded or lammergeyer vulture and Verreaux’s eagle. Plus, there are opportunities here to view these raptors up close.
Hell’s Gate features three geothermal stations, the first in Africa. Lying beneath Hell’s Gate, the plants generate power from the constant energy flowing off the hot springs and geysers. With its three campsites, camping is safe and encouraged.
Activities to Do at Hell’s Gate National Park:
Hell’s Gate National Park is a very entertaining destination to visit on a Kenya Safari and here are some of the top interesting things to do during your visit.
Hiking in Hell’s Gate In Hell's Gate National Park, Kenya
Hiking in Hell’s Gate National Park is an exhilarating activity ideal for visitors looking for an adventure, this activity offers tourists to explore the scenic landscape of the park.
Hiking is done with the help of local guides who will explain the history and nature of the park to you during the walk, the hike starts from the Ol-Njorwa Gorge and last for about 3 hours. Hiking gives you a chance to see the scenic landscape of the park and a few animals such as zebras, elands, hartebeests, Thomson gazelles, klipspringer antelopes, and several bird species such as verreaux’s Eagles, augur buzzard and swifts among others.
Unlike other Kenya national parks, Hell’s Gate National Park has fewer dangerous wild animals which makes it an ideal place for hiking and nature walking.
Rock Climbing at Fischer’s Tower In Hell's Gate National Park, Kenya
Fischer’s Tower in Hell’s Gate National Park is a volcanic plug situated near the northeastern border of the park within walking distance from Elsa Gate, the rock has a height of approximately 25 meters.
According to the Masai folklore, the tower is a Masai girl who turned to a stone after looking back on her home, while on the way to her future husband which is contrary to tradition.
Fischer’s Tower was named after a German explorer Dr. Gustav Fischer who was sent to find a route from Mombasa to Lake Victoria. The tall rock stands majestically at the park and is the first natural rock you will encounter, the rock is popular for rock climbing.
Climbing Fischer’s Tower offers you an opportunity to enjoy the scenic surroundings comprising of impressive gorges, lime-streaked cliffs, and animals passing by.
Game Viewing In Hell's Gate National Park, Kenya
Though Hell’s Gate National Park is not listed among the best wildlife Kenya safari destinations, the park is home to a reasonable population of wildlife including zebras, herds of buffalo, hartebeests, elands, Defassa waterbuck, olive baboons, Masai giraffes among others which you will enjoy watching during a game viewing safari.
Hell’s Gate National Park is also home to lions, leopards, and cheetahs, however, they are hard to spot.
Cycling at Hell’s Gate National Park:
Cycling at Hell’s Gate National Park is an amazing experience like no other, cycling past grazing zebras and a giraffe among other animals is a great experience. The park has no wild cats making it one of the best places in Kenya to enjoy a biking tour in the wild.
For visitors who do not come with their bicycles, they can hire them at the Elsa Gate and before you ride the bicycle make sure it is comfortable for you. It is important to adjust if your seat is adjusted, the chain is ok and the tires are well inflated.
The best route to cycling in Hell’s Gate National Park is the Gorge Road which goes all the way to Ranger’s post. This route has no traffic and it is downhill on the way out and uphill on the way back so make sure your legs are ready for the way back as you will need to push through the uphill.
While cycling make sure to get a guide to go with you as they can help you point in the right direction and know the places to avoid because of the animals such as buffaloes. The guides can also help you fix your bike issues in case you encounter one during your cycling expedition.
Picnic In Hell's Gate National Park, Kenya
Hells Gate National Park is among the beautiful places in Kenya to have a picnic experience, the park has a beautiful picnic site found at the ranger’s post and another one at the bottom of Fischer’s Tower. While on your picnic experience, be careful with your packed lunch as there are bold monkeys on the sites that can snatch your meals.
Camping at Hell's Gate National Park, Kenya
Camping is another interesting thing to do in Hell’s Gate National Park, the park has 3 camping sites including Naiburta, Endachata, and Ol Dubai. Each of these campsites has toilets, picnic shelters, and showers to use.
And being just a short drive from Nairobi, Hell’s Gate is an ideal trip for hiking, game viewing, enjoying the hot springs and even visiting its health spa, and trips to nearby Crescent Island Preserve and Lakes Naivasha and Nakuru are easily arranged.
Accommodation In Hell's Gate National Park, Kenya
Within Hell's Gate National Park, a few campsites are available for those who wish to go back to basics and immerse themselves in nature.
However, those opting for mid-range and luxury accommodation options will stay in Lake Naivasha.
Situated on the southern shores of Lake Naivasha, Sopa Lodge offers guests the ultimate luxury experience.
Nestled within a green acacia woodland are two-story African-style rondavels containing 84 rooms.
The rooms on the ground floor have a sunken bath, a balcony, and queen-sized twin beds. On the upper floor, the rooms have a king-size bed and balcony. The balconies are furnished with a table and chairs, allowing a fantastic place to unwind and watch over the wildlife.
Surrounded by lush gardens, Camp Carnelley's has both budget and mid-range accommodation choices close to Hell's Gate and a great Lake Naivasha view (if you pitch your tent, you have the greatest possibility of securing a great view).
The bandas sleep six and are en-suite, as do the cottages, which sleep two. The dormitories sleep eight and have shared bathroom facilities.
Access to Hell's Gate National Park:
The best way to get to Hell's Gate National Park is by road along the scenic Rift Valley escarpment. The Journey is 90 Km and roughly takes two hours depending on traffic, which can get quite congested on the escarpment with lorries traveling from the Athi River.
A short flight from Wilson Airport to Naivasha is possible. There are a few daily flights that take under an hour but are quite expensive. It is also possible to connect to the Maasai Mara from here by flight if that is your next destination.
Best time to visit Hell's Gate National Park, Kenya
Hell's Gate has great wildlife viewing all year round. The driest seasons are between June and February, so it is recommended to visit then. If you are traveling in the wet months, March till May, be aware that rains might interfere with walking, cycling, and rock climbing.
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