Hell’s Gate National Park

A clutch of savannah ecosystems, teeming with a wide variety of wildlife, marks Hell’s Gate: a relatively small national park by Kenyan standards. It resides South of Lake Naivasha and North West of Nairobi in Kenya.

In 1883, after their defeat against the hostile Maasai warriors, Fisher and Thomson named the park. Despite being home to big predators such as lions – which are rarely spotted-, it exudes an aura of tranquility. Alongside visitors who can wander safely on its grassy plains may encounter giraffe, gazelles and antelopes with towering cliffs in the background looming dramatically.

The Longonot eruption, which occurred 100 years ago, covered the park in ashes. The geothermal station, lower gorge and spectacular scenery – characterized by huge gorges; looming cliffs; basalt columns among others – have gained fame for this place. Hell’s Gate serves as home to buffalo, zebra wildebeest baboons antelope and over 100 species of birds. Furthermore it provides a unique opportunity: here is where you can explore on foot or bicycle without guidance within Kenya’s National Park itself.

Getting there

Visitors can reach the park via a 90-kilometer tarmac road from Nairobi or by air, with landing options available at Naivasha airstrip.

Cost

Each person pays a daily entry fee of $25 at the park, while each child incurs a charge of $10 per day.

Hell’s Gate National Park Highlights

The park’s main highlights encompass the lower gorge: vibrant rock formations, cascading waterfalls, rejuvenating springs – and cave walls that water erosion has sculpted a masterful tableau on; iconic scenes from Tomb Raider and King’s Solomon’s Mines were filmed in this very location.

Also a captivating spectacle, the Olkaria Geothermal Station perches atop the lava flow of an extinct wonder – the Ol Karia volcano. It harnesses hidden steam resources beneath its surface; as a result, it electrifies life for 25% of Kenyans.

You must also visit Fischer Tower and Central Tower, two awe-inspiring rock formations located near the park’s main entrance.

The Mervyn Carnelley Raptor Hide beckons bird enthusiasts: it is a unique viewing area, featuring an innovative one-way window – through this cleverly designed feature– visitors can capture close-range snapshots of raptors.