Established in 1984, Hell’s Gate National Park is one of the smallest national parks in Kenya. It is perched just south of Lake Naivasha (10km from Naivasha town) in Nakuru District, Rift Valley Province about 90km North West of Nairobi. The Park stretches over an area of 68.25 sq km at 1,900m above sea level.
Hell’s Gate National Park is named after a narrow break in the cliffs, once a tributary of a prehistoric lake that fed early humans in the Rift Valley. Best known for the lammergeyer, the Park boasts an amazing diversity of wildlife and unique geological scenery.
Covered by ashes from the Longonot eruption believed to have occurred about100 years ago, Hell’s Gate National Park is characterized by diverse topography and a rich bio-diversity. The Park is famous for its geothermal station, Lower Gorge and impressive sceneries of Steep Cliffs, Waterfalls, Gorges, Geothermal Steam and Volcanoes). It features a warm and dry climate.
Wildlife
Along with the more popular lammergeyer here, Hell’s Gate National Park is home to many other exotic species of animals. Examples include the Masai Giraffe, Hartebeest, African buffalo, Eland, Coke’s Lion, Zebra, Leopard and Some Cheetah. Hyraxes, Thomson’s Gazelle, Hyena, and Baboons are also common sightings. The park is also shelters serval, klipspringer antelope and the rare Chanler’s mountain reedbuck.
Bird Life
Hell’s Gate National Park is another heaven for bird lovers in Kenya. Over 103 species of different bird have been recorded in the park and some of the easily spotted avian species include Griffon Vulture, Verreaux’s Eagles, Augur Buzzard and thousands of Mottled Swifts. Other species are Masai Ostrich, Rufous-naped Lark, Speke Weaver, Schalow Wheatear, Isabelline Wheatear, Secretary Bird, Yellow Bishop, Ruppel’s Peregrine Falcons, Anteater Chat, Cisticolas, Fiscal Shrike, Bateleur, Lammergeyer, Oxpeckers, Laughing Dove, Bee Eater, Hildebrandt Francolin, Guinea Fowl, , Richard Pipit, Black Marked Babbler, Wattled Starling, Blue-eared Starling, Red-winged Starling, Superb Starling, Speckled Pigeon Rufous Sparrow, Purple Grenadier, Yellow-rumped Seedeater and many others.
Other Attractions
Hells Gate Fischers Tower, Obsidian Caves, Rocky Central Tower is also called “Embarta” (The Horse), Ol Karia Geothermal Project, Steep Cliffs, Ol Njorowa Gorge, Olook Karia Masai Cultural Centre (for educating visitors about the culture and traditions of the Masai tribe.)
Best Time to Visit
July to March is the best season to visit the park. hot September, October, November and December are exceptionally hot months to safaris in the park.
Getting There
By Road: Hell’s Gate National Park can be accessible using the tarmac road from Nairobi via Naivasha Town on the Lake Road South at a Junction 5 km south of Naivasha. Drive for 14 km after the turnoff from the old Nairobi-Naivasha highway.
By Air: There is an option for charter flights to Naivasha airstrip.
The Park has two entry points / gates; – the main Elsa Gate and the Olkaria Gate. The latter also serves the Olkaria Geothermal Station that is located within the National Park
Activities
-Bird watching
-Rock climbing & Gorge Walks
-Biking
-Walking Safaris
-Hiking
-Camping
-Game viewing
-Horseback safaris can also be arranged