Hell’s Gate National Park

Off the beaten path destination with genuine Masai people and unique and beautiful landscape

Hells Gate National Park in Kenya's Great Rift Valley is a small off the beaten path park worth visiting if you have a couple of days. Although the wildlife is not as prolific as some of the other parks in Kenya it is a fascinating geological park with hot springs, ancient, volcanos, lava plugs, and gorges. There are plenty of nice walking trails around the park and picnic sites. We also visited a Masaai village and learned how the local Masai people live and how to make a fire.

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.

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

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

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.

Beautiful scenery

Unique safari destination, unlike any I have seen earlier!

Hell's Gate national park deserves a couple of days at least, unfortunately I had just one. Its a destination where you can do multiple things & get something out of it. This is one park where you can rent a bike outside & cycle through it. I understand you can also camp onsite here.

The safari drive through Hell's Gate national park is surreal - the scenery is spectacular with craggy mountains on either side. Easy to spot lots of deer, giraffes, zebras, wild buffalo, boar, birds, hyenas etc

Then I took the trek through the Park's ravine - a spectacular place; make sure you go all the way to the end where scenes of the Tomb Raider movie was shot. Its a good 2 hour hike, with wonderful photo-ops on along the route.

The park also has a geothermal station, wish they would allow tourists there too, I got only a peek from outside.

We took a walking safari in Hell's Gate National Park. We had a very good and knowledgeable local guide, John. We came close to Zebras, Warthogs, Giraffes and a lot of Gazelles. We where also led in a big circle around a bunch of angry Buffalos.
A walking safari is a unique experience, and I would really recommend it.

Lack of diverse wildlife and habitat. However, I have only visited once.

Very pretty place with cliffs lining one side of the park. Unfortunately we were unable to see any predators here, but were able to walk through the reserve.