Located between lake Naivasha, longnot and suswa1 volcanoes, hell’s gate national park lies within the eastern arm of the east African rift valley, covered by ashes that erupted from mountain longnot more than 100 years ago. The park derives its name from the oi njorawa gorge that came into exitance as a result of lake Naivasha over flowing causing a narrow break in the middle of the park.
Hell’s gate national park was gazette in 1984, covering a total area of 68.25 square kilometers. The park features a diverse landscape, including cliffs. Gorges and rock mountains. It is home to a wide range of wildlife such as giraffes, zebras, buffaloes and over 100 bird species. The park has outstanding unique features that are as a result of geothermal activity with hot springs and geysers dotting the landscape, this played a big role in the filming of Disney movie “the lion king”.
How to get to the park.
Hell’s gate national park is one of the popular safari destinations in Kenya, located just 90km from Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. The park is one of the easiest parks to access for a safari while in the east African country.
The park can be reached from its different gates, that is Elsa gate which is the main gate, oikaria gate, Naivasha gate. These can be got to by road, from Nairobi via Naivasha town along lake road which is approximately 5kilometers south of lake Naivasha.
Either way, you can take a domestic flight from Jomo Kenyatta international airport or Mio international airport to Naivasha airstrip, south of hell’s gate national gate.
Attractions in hell’s gate national park.
Hell’s gate national park has a variety of thrilled attractions which has made it one of the most adventurous national parks to go to while on a Kenya safari, especially to tourists interested in adventures. Some of the attractions include.
Wildlife
The park is home to a variety of wildlife which reside in the different sectors of the park. Some of the wildlife found in hell’s gate national park include lions, leopards, cheetahs, these are rarely seen. Other wildlife spotted are African buffalo, zebra, elands, hartebeest, Thomson’s gazelles among others. these can be spotted in the lime-streaked cliffs, impressive gorge and the park’s grasslands during a nature walk, game drives. Warthogs are plenty in the park, as well as the Masai giraffes and defassa waterbuck which are common around the neck of the gorge. The rock ledgers of the Fischer’s tower are great places to spot large troops of olive baboons, kirk’s Dik Dik which shelter among the thick bushes while others animals prefer the grassy slopes and cliff tops.
Bird life
With over 103 bird species recorded in the hell’s gate national park. The park is a breeding place for the bearded vultures and other birds. Expect to see at least 28-30 species on your one-day visit especially the secretary bird and the ostrich that are common in valley floor. Other bird species found in the park include, African kestrel, arrow-marked babbler, chins pot batis, Egyptian vulture, golden-winged sunbird, eastern imperial eagle, Jackson’s widowbird, bearded vulture, mottled swift, Nyanza swift among others.
Oi njorawa gorge
The gorge is a unique and breathtaking destination, which is a must visit for adventure lovers and nature enthusiasts while on a Kenyan safari in hell’s gate national park. It is as a result geological formations, including volcanic activity that took place 100years ago leading to formation of volcanic rocks and lava flows.
The oi njorawa gorge offers challenging yet rewarding hiking trails with scenic views of the surrounding landscapes. Featuring waterfalls and pools with national hot springs. It is home to a variety of wildlife including the monkeys, birds and small antelopes.
Fisher towers
This 25m-high jagged volcanic plug is all that remains of an ancient volcano and is named after the German explorer, Gustav Fischer, who passed this way in 1883. It stands tall looking like a pillar that rises abruptly. its vertical walls are as a result of magma solidifying within the vent of the volcano leaving behind a hardened core.
According to local Maasai tradition, the rock is the petrified figure of a chief’s daughter who turned around against the dictates of tradition to take one last look at her home before leaving to be married. The rock offers excellent climbing and is home to a colony of rock hyrax. It also offers panoramic views of the park’s expansive plains and the distant shores of lake anaivaha.
The tower stands as a testament of the geological forces that have shaped hell’s gate national park. Its striking nature offer climbing opportunities and scenic views which make it a notable attraction within the park.
Obsidian caves
The obsidian cave is an impressive feature found near the Elsa gate at the end of the buffalo circuit, it’s found on the obsidian rock and it is reached while on a 2km game drive on the buffalo circuit. The cave has a glassy back rock with lava flows.
Maasai cultural center
The Maasai Cultural Center in Hell’s Gate National Park is a fantastic place to learn about the rich history and traditions of the Maasai people. Located within the park, the center offers a unique opportunity to explore the culture and way of life of this iconic Kenyan tribe ¹.
At the center, you can discover the customs, beliefs, and practices of the Maasai people, including their traditional clothing, jewelry, and artifacts. You’ll also have the chance to learn about their history, social structures, and daily life.
The Maasai Cultural Center is an integral part of the Hell’s Gate National Park experience, providing a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the Maasai people who have lived in harmony with the park’s incredible wildlife and landscapes for centuries.
Best time to visit.
Hell’s gate national park is open to visitors throughout the year. However, the best time for wildlife viewing is during the dry season especially at dawn, when most of the animals are in evidence, try to avoid the mid-day hours if you can, because the Park can become intensely hot. Rock climbing, walking, mountain biking, nature trails, driving tours are all highly recommended during the dry seasons, especially since the park offers unrivalled views of the Aberdare Range, Lake Naivasha and Mount Longonot. Bird watching is beat done during the rainy seasons as its one of the best times for breeding and also to spot migratory birds.
