Hell’s Gate National Park is known for its geothermal features, stunning cliffs, and rich, diverse flora and fauna.

Hell’s Gate National Park is located between Lake Naivasha and the Longonot and Suswa volcanoes. It is covered by ashes from the Longonot eruption, which occurred 100 years ago. The park is famous for its geothermal station, Lower Gorge, and spectacular scenery of towering cliffs. The scrub-clad volcanoes, water-gouged gorges, and plumes of geothermal steam. The name Hell’s Gate is derived from the most impressive feature in the park, the Ol Jorowa Gorge, which runs through the middle of the park. The gorge formed the overflow of Lake Naivasha between lower and middle Cambrian times. The park was gazetted in February 1984 and covers 68.25 Km².
There are significant geomorphological and biological resources. These resources include the Ol Jorowa Gorge (caused by the volcanic disturbances of the Great Rift Valley). Obsidian caves, Fischer’s, and the central towers, which are the physiographic basis of the park. The floral and faunal communities, and their fragile soils.

Vegetation:

The vegetation of Hells Gate National Park falls into two broad physiognomic types, namely plains and high-ground vegetation types.  The park features grassland dominated by red oat grass (Themeda triandra) and whistling thorn bush (Acacia drepanolobium) up to 1800m. On the high ground (above 1,800m) are the dense leleshwa (Tarchonanthus camphoratus).

The Acacia drepanolobium (whistling thorn) woodland is the most abundant acacia species. It forms an important source of food for the giraffes. The Leleshwa Tarchonanthus camophratus woodland is important in that it provides cover and habitat for other fauna components.

The red stinkwood (Prunus africana) and the East African sandalwood (Osyris lanceolata) are important plants. The red stinkwood has various medicinal uses. The timber is used for the manufacture of various household products such as axes, hoes, and furniture. The East African Sandalwood (Osyris lanceolata) is a shrub or small tree found across a vast range of Africa.

Fauna:

Giraffes, elands, hartebeests, buffaloes, and other small gazelles and antelopes are common in the grassy plains. Lion, leopard, and cheetah may also occur but are rare. There are small troops of klipspringer and rock hyrax, both living in rocky areas. The rare Chanler’s Mountain reedbuck is also present here. The park has 103 species of birds, and the cliffs are home and nesting places for birds, which are abundant at Lake Naivasha. The large white droppings on the rocks, as can be seen, indicate nests of vultures, eagles, and augur buzzards. Rare species are the Verreaux’s eagle and the Lammergeyer, Ruppel’s griffon; and hooded vultures have been recorded. Also present are the Masai giraffe and the Chanler’s Mountain Reedbuck.

Avian

Several raptors breed within Hell’s Gate National Park. These include the white-backed vulture (Gypsafricanus), the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus), and Ruppell’s vulture (Gypsrueppelli). Hell’s Gate National Park hosts the only protected Ruppell’s vulture colonies in Kenya and the second most important habitat in southern Kenya.
Other birds include the Grey-crested Helmet Shrike and the Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius).

Hiking in Hell’s Gate

The park is popular for hiking, cycling, horseback riding, rock climbing, and camping.

Hiking in Hell’s Gate National Park is an exhilarating activity ideal for visitors looking for an adventure. This activity allows tourists to explore the scenic landscape of the park. The hike starts from the Ol-Njorwa Gorge and lasts 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.

Unlike other Kenyan national parks, Hell’s Gate National Park has fewer dangerous wild animals, which makes it an ideal place for hiking and nature walks.

Caution for the Gorge Walk: When going for the Ol-Njorwa Gorge Walk in Hell’s Gate National Park, it is important to check the weather. These activities are best done during the dry season with a minimum threat of flash flooding.

Rock Climbing at Fischer’s Tower

Fischer’s Tower in Hell’s Gate National Park is a volcanic plug situated near the north-eastern border of the park, within walking distance from Elsa Gate. The rock has a height of approximately 25 metres.

According to Maasai folklore, the tower is a Maasai 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 in the park and is the first natural rock you will encounter. For this purpose of rock climbing, it is very popular.

Game Viewing

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. Generally, zebras, herds of buffalo, hartebeests, elands, Defassa waterbuck, olive baboons, and Maasai giraffes, among others. You will enjoy watching during a game viewing safari. Hell’s Gate National Park is also home to 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, undoubtedly like no other. Pedalling past grazing zebras and a giraffe, among other animals, is a great experience. The park has no wild cats, thus making it one of the best places in Kenya to enjoy a biking tour in the wild.

If you do not come with your bicycles, you can hire them at the Elsa Gate. Ensure the bike’s ergonomics fit you before riding the bicycle. It is important to adjust your seat; the chain is okay, and the tyres are well inflated.

Picnic

Hells Gate National Park is among the most beautiful places in Kenya to have a picnic experience. The park has a beautiful picnic site at the ranger’s post and another one at the bottom of Fischer’s Tower. While on your picnic, be careful with your packed lunches, as there are bold monkeys on the sites that can snatch your meals.

Camping at Hell’s Gate

Camping is another interesting thing to do in Hell’s Gate National Park. All in all, the park has 3 public camping sites, including Endachata, Ol Dubai, and Naiburta. Each of these campsites has toilets, picnic shelters, and showers to use.