This post shares our experience visiting Hell’s Gate National Park in Naivasha, organized by RoamRoar Kenya Safaris. We will provide you with all the information you need to know about Hell’s Gate National Park.
While there are many incredible destinations worth exploring, such as the world-famous Masai Mara National Park, an adventure to Hell’s Gate National Park is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you don’t want to miss. Hell’s Gate is one of the lesser-known attractions that defy expectations.
Hell’s Gate National Park is located in the heart of Kenya on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, this jaw-dropping tourist destination covers an area of approximately 68.25 square kilometers. The park is small in size by African standards but is a big punch when it comes to wildlife and scenery exploration.
Hell’s Gate National Park is teeming with hundreds of wild animals such as zebras, Thomson’s gazelles, elands, buffaloes, warthogs, and giraffes. There are also over 100 recorded bird species in the park. Beyond the beauty of the wild, Hell’s Gate also boasts nature trails, picnic sites, and geographical rock formations offering an adventure like no other.
RoamRoar Kenya Safaris designed a day tour for us to explore the stunning landscape of Hell’s Gate National Park, which features dramatic cliffs, water-carved gorges, towering rock formations, volcanoes, and plumes of geothermal steam. This diverse scenery makes it one of the most captivating parks in Africa and was even showcased in the 1980 Hollywood film “Sheena: Queen of the Jungle.” During the tour, you’ll ride a bike along some of the trails and comfortably visit other attractions in a tourist vehicle.
Hell’s Gate National Safari Highlights
- Unique landscape, deep gorges, red-colored cliffs, rock towers, hot springs, and geysers among others.
- Game viewing on a bicycle and you can ride around the park surrounded by hordes of wild animals like buffalo, giraffes, zebra, and impala
- Hell’s Gate Hiking Park is one of the best hiking places
- Bike riding
- Bird watching
- Fisher’s Tower
- Nature Trail – An excellent hiking trail
- Lower Gorge
- Meryvin Carnelly Raptors Hide
- OlKaria Geothermal Station
- Masai cultural centre
How to Get to Hell’s Gate National Park
Hell’s Gate is located 90 kilometers from Kenya’s capital Nairobi city. We started our journey by road at 9 am and were at the park by 11 am. Interestingly, the two-hour journey is an adventure by itself as you will get to see Kenya’s stunning landscape and spot wildlife such as zebras on your way to Naivasha.
Our driver stopped for a few minutes on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway viewpoint allowing us to take photos of the breathtaking views of the vast Rift Valley that stretches across the horizon. We also purchased Kenyan tchotchkes and used the opportunity to buy enough fruits for our adventure. The sellers are friendly so feel free to bargain the prices.
Hell’s Gate National Park can be accessed by two main gates – Elsa Gate and Olkaria Gate. We entered the park through the Elsa Gate and found ample parking space for our vehicle. If you want to get to Hell’s Gate fast, you can travel by air. Since most flights to Kenya land at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you can take a taxi to Wilson Airport, which is only 16.9 kilometers away. From there, you can take a flight to Loldia Airstrip and then take a taxi to one of the gates of Hell’s Gate.
The entrance fee to Hell’s Gate is Ksh 300 for Kenyan citizens. However, non-residents pay USD 27. Ensure you check the official Kenya Wildlife Service website to stay informed in case of an update on prices.
Cycling Amongst Wildlife in Hell’s Gate National Park
The first affair of the day was bike riding. Our tour operator rented bikes for our cycling safari. There are several places you can rent your bikes in and around Naivasha Town. The most convenient for many travelers is to rent your bike at Elsa Gate for not more than Ksh 1,000. Feel free to bargain and you might be able to get your rental fees down to Ksh 400-Ksh 500 per day, but the bikes are not always in the best condition.
The main, wildlife-oriented, wide expanse of the park starts immediately after the gate. The size of approximately 70 square kilometers makes Hell’s Gate one of the smallest National Parks in Kenya and beyond. However, it more than makes up for its relative lack of size with its geographical diversity and the accessibility of wildlife. It is one of the handful of parks in East Africa that you can walk (or cycle) through without any limitations.
It took us about 30 minutes to ride the 6 km of mostly gravel road. Despite being fairly warm and dusty, it was a pleasant ride. Cycling through the Upper Gorge of Hell’s Gate National Park is the most common way of touring the park (bikes aren’t permitted in the Lower Gorge). Keep in mind that the roundtrip (return) distance from Elsa Gate to the Lower Gorge Ranger Post and back is 17 km.
Cycling, even when done at a snail’s pace, for we stopped countless times to admire the wildlife. Ranger Post on the other side of the valley features parking, as well as a picnic area.
Hiking and Rock Climbing in Hell’s Gate National Park
Then we ventured into our second activity of the day. Hell’s Gate National Park is a paradise for hikers and nature lovers. As a big fan of hiking, I was hoping for the best experience and the park didn’t disappoint. We started hiking at the Lower Gorge Trail which took us through a series of smaller gorges and hot springs. We then reached the edge of the cliff where we had the opportunity to see stunning views of the park’s incredible landscape.
The next trail led us deeper into the park where we came across the outstanding Central Tower. The path from here led us into the Ol Njorowa Gorge, which is a narrow canyon with steep walls and has geothermal hot springs. While the hike was a bit challenging, the experience was well worth it.
We concluded our hiking by exploring the towering rock formation Fischer’s Tower, a 25-meter-high volcanic plug, a rocky tower, which got its name from German explorer Gustav Fischer who visited the park in 1883. The Fischer’s Tower is popular among rock climbers but also ideal for nature lovers as it offers stunning views of the nearby valleys and cliffs.
Baboons can be spotted on Fischer’s Tower. According to a Maasai legend, there was a disobedient girl who did not want to marry the person chosen by her family, and as a result, she was turned to stone. While we were there, we also saw birds nesting in the gorge and on top of Fischer’s Tower, while many others patrolled the valley floor in search of a tasty meal.
Picnic in Hell’s National Park
Finally, it was time to take a break and enjoy a picnic lunch at the picnic site in Hell’s Gate National Park, where we could take in the scenic views of the park and watch the animals roaming around. After our visit, we departed from Hell’s Gate National Park and drove back to Nairobi.
Olkaria Geothermal Spa (Naivasha)
You have the options of swimming in geothermal hot springs, visiting Crater Lake Game Sanctuary for a guided walk, a horseback safari, and birdwatching.
You also have the option to visit Lake Naivasha for a boat ride, where you can see hippos and various bird species while enjoying stunning views of the surrounding mountains; additionally, a visit to the expansive main pool at Olkaria Geothermal Spa is also highly recommended.
The pool with the hills and towers of steam that seem to fuse with the clouds in the background draws your attention as you walk towards the poolside once you arrive at the geothermal spa, and the adult pool is enormous, and if it weren’t for the tiny rock island in the center, you’d think it was a mini-lake.
Don’t worry if you have small children with you; there is a baby pool and playground equipment to keep them entertained. All the pools are made entirely out of steel-troweled concrete. This is because the water here has natural minerals and cannot allow for the use of ceramic tiles. Four steps around the pool allow people to sit and relax in the warm water. The pool’s deepest point is only 1.5 meters deep.
Wildlife Viewing in Hell’s Gate National Park
Hell’s Gate National Park might not have the big cats like other Kenyan national parks but it still offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. We spotted zebras grazing on the open grassland during our hiking and also saw giraffes browsing on tree leaves. We were also lucky to spot olive baboons all over the cliffs, buffalos, Thomson’s gazelle, impalas, and Coke’s hartebeest.
The best thing about this park is there are no dangerous predators, which means you can stroll around without fear of being attacked. However, ensure you keep your distance from the buffalos as they can get aggressive and charge.
Hell’s Gate is also a paradise for birdwatchers as it offers excellent birding spots such as the Mervyns Carnelley Raptor. The park has over 103 recorded bird species and we enjoyed taking photos of birds in proximity.
Planning Your Visit to Hell’s Gate National Park
To make the most of your visit to Hell’s Gate, it’s essential to plan ahead. From choosing your tour guide, the best time to visit to packing the right gear, here are some tips to help you prepare.
Best Time to Visit:
The best time to visit Hell’s Gate National Park is during the dry seasons, from June to October and January to February. During these months, the weather is cool and dry, making it ideal for hiking and other outdoor activities. The wet season (March to May and November to December) can make some trails slippery and more challenging to navigate.
What to Bring:
- Water and Snacks: There are no shops or restaurants inside the park, so be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks to keep you fueled during your adventure.
- Sun Protection: The sun can be intense, especially during midday, so pack a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
- Sturdy Footwear: Whether you’re hiking or cycling, sturdy shoes are a must. The terrain can be rocky and uneven, so proper footwear will keep you comfortable and safe.
- Camera or Binoculars: The park offers incredible photo opportunities, so don’t forget your camera. Binoculars are also useful for spotting wildlife and birds at a distance.
Final Thoughts
Overall, our one-day trip to Hell’s Gate National Park, organized by RoamRoar Kenya Safaris, was a memorable experience. If you decide to explore Hell’s Gate National Park or any other park, with this excellent tour company, we believe that visiting this unique and beautiful part of Kenya is worth your consideration.
RoamRoar Kenya Safaris also offers tours to various safari destinations in Kenya, including Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, Diani, and Tsavo. Be sure to check out their website to plan your safari.
