​User Reviews – Hell’s Gate NP

Sort By: Date Most Helpful Rating 21-30 of 80 Reviews
Tim   –  
Netherlands NL
Visited: September 2018 Reviewed: Oct 9, 2018

Email Tim  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Overall rating
5/5

biking through this park is an adventure on itself, with herbivore animals just walking there minding their own business. The gorge is also gorgeous, well worth the bikeride through the park if the bikeride itself isnt enough.

Kris & Mike Weir   –  
United States US
Visited: July 2018 Reviewed: Aug 19, 2018

Email Kris & Mike Weir  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Overall rating
5/5

We didnt expect that we were going to be walking through this gorge... SUPER COOL experience that you would NOT get in a National Park in the U.S.A. This does require some hiking and physical exertion. Wear sturdy shoes/boots. The wildlife was good but its alot better in some of the other parks. This isn’t necessarily the park i would choose to see animals rather, you would be going to hike in this incredibly usual and unique gorge.

GK   –  
India IN
Visited: May 2018 Reviewed: Jul 4, 2018

Email GK  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Overall rating
5/5

Beautiful place for a short trek. Must do if one has time. Some physical fitness is required

Martin   –  
United States US
Visited: February 2017 Reviewed: Mar 19, 2018

Email Martin

A surreal day of hiking and wildlife
Overall rating
5/5

Though my stay in Hell's Gate National Park was short (1 day) it has remained vivid in my memory.

Our group opted in to take a hike through the gorge at the park, and after an entertaining lunch (provided by our hotel) trying to keep the baboons and monkeys from stealing our food, we started on our way. We did not really prepare well for the hike, which turned out to be more intense than we had thought. At least three times throughout the excursion we had to climb or descend a rope or ladder. There were points where the trail became so narrow, and slippery that we had to bridge over flowing water with our feet on one side of the ravine and our hands on the other. It was a great adventure that I thoroughly enjoyed, but I would suggest coming prepared for more than a light walk.

The gorge was full of wonderful scenery including tall cliffs, flowing water, waterfalls, trees and flowers and even hot springs, and more. If you feel comfortable with a medium to difficult hike, I would highly recommend it. Michael, our Masai guide for the hike, was barefoot the whole time. A few of the people in our group got their shoes wet, so that might be something to take into consideration.

A storm blew in while we were hiking, and our guide seemed nervous and was very helpful with other groups. He paid close attention to the weather. Being so narrow, it makes sense that the gorge is prone to flash flooding, but our guide made us feel safe, and we were well clear of the ravine by the time the rain really started. It was certainly one of the best hiking experiences I have had in my life. If you can do it, you definitely should.

We saw a huge number of animals as were were leaving the park. The sun was setting, and the animals were mingling out in a broad field below some beautiful towering cliffs where vultures perched. We saw herds of zebra and giraffe and gazelle all intermingled. Warthogs and birds ran around in the low grass, and we even saw a secretary bird chasing mice. This being our first stop on the trip, it was overwhelming to see so much. I think it was probably the largest number of animals we saw in one place during our whole trip. Our driver and guide, Sammy, was very patient and had lots of great suggestions for us. He also always got us in a good position for pictures and viewing.

The landscape is unique and beautiful, the animals were abundant, and the hiking was superb. It was also very close to our resort on Lake Naivasha, and it seemed like there were several others nearby as well.

I highly recommend this park if you visit Kenya, but come prepared with good shoes and maybe some rain gear.

Irena Verbic   –  
Slovenia SI
Visited: January 2018 Reviewed: Feb 21, 2018

Email Irena Verbic  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Overall rating
5/5

Hell's Gate is an amazing place!!! I loved the walk in gorge!!!

Ariel Smith   –  
United States US
Visited: September 2017 Reviewed: Oct 13, 2017

Email Ariel Smith  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Overall rating
5/5

Biking alongside African wildlife was a unique experience!

Simon Visited: April 2014 Reviewed: Jul 7, 2015

One of the best parks in Kenya to get up close with the wildlife
Overall rating
5/5

Easily accessible from Nairobi, Hell's Gate NP is a must for any visitor in Kenya. Bike past herds of Zebra before hiking through the Hells Gate Canyon.

A great family day out.

Flo Romain Worldtour Visited: May 2014 Reviewed: May 16, 2015

20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

A self guided safari by bicycle among African fauna is a wonderful experience!!!
Overall rating
5/5

We rented 2 bikes and started our journey from a campsite near Hell's Gate National Park (where we could spot some Hippos at night because our tent was just next to the lake) and we arrived at the park. We had a guide until the canyon but we came back by ourselves!!!! It is so amazing to cycle among zebras, giraffes, monkeys, buffaloes, gazelles... You really have time to stop wherever and whenever you want and you really feel like an adventurer!!! The landscape is also beautiful, especially when you start going down the gorge!!! Avoid rainy season but in May we had a really good time there (though check the meteo because it can be bad sometimes..) You can also visit some flowers plantations next to the park! Take your lunch box as there is only limited food available (but it is much better like that!!!)!!
We really enjoyed our journey there and we highly recomment it!!!

lindafiona92   –  
Kenya KE
Visited: August 2014 Reviewed: May 8, 2015

Email lindafiona92  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Overall rating
5/5

The crater is everything. Breathtaking.

Mahasri Weerasooriya & family   –  
Canada CA
Visited: May 2014 Reviewed: Apr 16, 2015

Email Mahasri Weerasooriya & family  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Overall rating
5/5

Walked right up to a Giraffe, only park in Kenya that we were able to get down and walk among the wildlife.

Average User Rating

  • 4.2/5
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding

Rating Breakdown

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  • 4 star 31
  • 3 star 13
  • 2 star 2
  • 1 star 1
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