Hell’s Gate National Park

Beautiful scenery

The best was the hike through the gouge - loved every minute of it and the guide a beautiful person who explained everything through the gouge and put up with all our joke, laughter and good time we had at this special place.

A unique safari experience and amazing scenery at Hell's Gate National Park

Hell’s Gate National Park is one of the smaller Kenyan national parks and is located about 2 hours away from Nairobi in terms of driving time. Unlike some of the other national parks in the country, this one relies more on its physical scenery, rather than the number and variety of large animals present. This is not to say that the animals are few in number, there are still many, but the difference makes a visit to Hell’s Gate very different from the others. First, you are not prohibited from leaving your safari vehicle. In fact, one option to explore the park is by bicycle. I personally recommend this method of touring, since it is much more fun and freeing than being in an enclosed jeep. Biking through the park involves a trip of about 10 miles (16 km) in total, and is doable for any person in decent physical shape. The only reason that all cannot visit the park by bike is that the bikes available for rent at the park are used and perhaps less than ideal in terms of quality (be sure to verify that your brakes work before agreeing to rent!), and that the road is unpaved, meaning it takes a bit more work to pedal than on something paved. In exchange though, you get unimpeded 360 degree views and the ability to actually take in the environment with all your senses. If an animal gets too close to the road, your guide may have you stop and back up to wait until it moves a safe distance away. These moments are exciting, but I do not think that they represent much danger as long as you follow instructions of the guides and respect the wild animals. Second, regardless of how you see the park, there are more options than just animal spotting available for activities. Your guide can take you hiking through the gorge that was the basis for the scenery for Disney’s “The Lion King” film, which is very nice, and you can go rock climbing on some of the park’s cliffs and towers. The easiest option for rock climbing is at “Fischer’s Tower” about a mile from the Naivasha park entrance, where you can rent gear from some men who will also serve as your spotters for about $10 (850 Kenyan schillings). The gear is clearly used, but looks to be taken care of well, and you get everything you need including climbing shoes and helmets. If one has never tried rock climbing before, this is a very much recommended opportunity.
Since Hell’s Gate is so close to Nairobi, you can make a day trip out of going to it. The drive to the park from the capital takes you over the escarpments that bound the Great Rift Valley, and it is worth stopping to take in the stunning view of the valley floor thousands of feet below. Near Hell’s Gate is Lake Naivasha, and you can arrange to go on a boat trip on the lake to see hippos and flocks of cormorants. Both the lake and Hell’s Gate can be seen in a single day if you are willing to get up a little early, and it makes for a unique side trip as part of a larger Kenyan adventure.

Small but Sweet park. With gorgeous (but sometimes dangerous) gorge.

A day-trip into a mini-bite of real Africa

Hell's Gate National Park is situated approximately 75k north of Nairobi, just south of Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley. It's unusual in that the rates are lower than the major parks, and you're permitted to walk or cycle in it as there are no elephants, rhino's or lions, as long as you keep to the main routes. Don't let that fool you into thinking there's no danger. There are plenty of buffalo, there are leopards, and cheetah have been seen on occassions. The main attraction is its' scenic beauty; thousands of years ago the lake water burst through the cliffs in the vicinity of the main gates, (hence it's name), leaving huge towering cliffs in it's wake and a number of towering "plugs" from long-dead volcanic activity rising up from the grassy plains. Even today there are areas of minor volcanic action within the park, where steam can be seen rising from underground vents and at an area known as the "devil's kitchen" the ground is hot to the touch and a strong smell of sulphur pervades the air. In addition to buffalo and the two species of Big Cat mentioned above, there are numerous species of plains game to be found, including Zebra, Kongoni, (Hartebeest), Eland, Clipspringer, Masai Giraffe, Thomson's Gazelle, Grant's Gazelle, and various other species of animal such as Olive Baboon, Vervet Monkey, Silver-backed Jackal, Warthog, and, if you're really lucky, Bat-eared Fox. Vultures nest on the cliffs, and at the base of the "plugs" live colonies of Rock Hyrax, a little brown animal resembling a guinea-pig, although substantially larger. In the centre of the park is a scenic gorge, - you can generally walk down this, (a good level of fitness is required), or view the gorge from above. The gorge was used in the filming of "Sheena, Queen of The jungle", and other locations within the park have on various occassions been used as a film-set, such as "Born Free", the story of Elsa the lioness. Hell's Gate National Park is highly recommended for a good day out whether you're in a vehicle or whether you've walked or cycled in from Lake Naivasha, where most of the campsites and lodges are located. Although my last visit was a while ago, I've been returning regularly since 1989. I stay at Fisherman's Camp, about three miles from the main entrance along the South Lake Road. This is primarily a campsite for back-packers, but the owner rents out a cottage which is ideal for a family, and there are bandas available too. When I visit with my wife or family we always rent the cottage, which is 600' above the lake near the owner's own house, - beyond this is the "top camp" which is quiet and secluded, or you can choose to stay on the bottom camp by the lakeshore. There's a restaurant there in which meals are served throughout the day, good simple fare such as buger & chips, etc., at a very reasonable price, indeed the food's so good that we take all our meals there throughout our stay although we tend to self-cater for breakfast. Within a short drive of the camp is Hell's Gate of course, and in the opposite direction there's Elsamere, (the former home of George & Joy Adamson), now open to the public for afternoon tea, and Crater Lake, a small private game conservancy with scenic views into the remains of a dormant volcano, open daily. Further afield there's The Aberdares and Lake Nakuru National Park, both of which can be visited in a day. For it's central position in relation to the other major lakes & parks, (Lake Bogoria, Lake Baringo, Samburu, and to the south, the Masai Mara, I always base myself at Naivasha for the major part of each and every trip. There are other camp-sites and lodges around Lake Naivasha but the other camp-sites don't have the stability and infra-structure of Fisherman's Camp and the lodges are of course, very much more expensive.

Great place for walking or cycling safari

Hell's gate has good access, very close to Naivasha. I have cycled through the park and walked and camped there on several trips. The campsite is well situated overlooking the main (upper) gorge and is an easy walk from the gate. The lower gorge is also easily accessible on foot. On the walk and around the campsite you are likely to see zebra, giraffes, warthog, and perhaps buffalo. Because of the latter you should make sure you have plenty of time to get to the campsite before dark.

The best thing about Hell's Gate is the freedom is gives you - you can walk, drive or cycle, and although there are wild animals around, you do not need a guide. The scenery is spectacular and the lower gorge unmissable.

It is also possible to follow the park road around to the far (West) sector of the park, where the geothermal power stations are, and exit further up the Naivasha ring road. However, this part of the park is not as interesting as the main part and is quite developed with the works and the related buildings.

Great place to get out of the truck and join the wildlife. Ride a mountain bike alongside zebras and gazelles. Explore sandstone caverns.

Not a big park, but you can get close to the animals and you can walk free around. A walk to the gorge and to the hot springs should not be missed.

Hells Gate is a nice, small and very different National Park close to Lake Naivasha. The main attraction is, suprisingly, not the wildlife but the gorge. The landscape has been formed by giantic ancient streams of lava. A walk (climbing with a guide) though is an exciting advanture. It is the only Park in Kenya you can explore on a bicycle cause of the absence of large predetors (so they say).

Stopped along the way from Naivasha to the Mara. Smaller in scale than most of the other parks though no less interesting and there are a quantity of wildlife to view.