Hell’s Gate National Park is located in Kenya, northwest of Nairobi, south of Lake Naivasha. Hell’s Gate National Park takes its name from a narrow gorge in the rocks, originally a stream of an ancient lake that fed early humans in the Rift Valley. It was founded in 1984. It is a tiny national park recognized for its diverse species and scenic beauty. This comprises the columns of Fischer’s Tower, Central Tower, and Hell’s Gate Gorge. At Olkaria, the national park also has three geothermal power units. The Park has three modest campsites and a Maasai Cultural Center, which teaches about the Maasai tribe’s culture and traditions.
History
Hell’s Gate National Park takes its name from a narrow gorge in the rocks, originally a stream of an ancient lake that fed early humans in the Rift Valley. In 1883, explorers Fisher and Thomson named it “Hell’s Gate.” Mount Longonot erupted in the early 1900s, and ash can still be felt surrounding Hell’s Gate. The Park was officially opened in 1984.
Geography
The Fischer’s Tower
Hell’s Gate National Park has an area of 68.25 square kilometers (26 square miles), which is tiny by African standards. The Park is at an elevation of 1,900 meters (6,200 feet) above sea level. It is located in Nakuru County, near Lake Naivasha, about 90 kilometers (56 miles) from Nairobi. The Park is located 14 kilometers (9 miles) after the turnoff from the old Nairobi-Naivasha route, with a warm and dry environment.
Olkaria and Hobley’s, two extinct volcanoes in the Park, can be viewed as obsidian shapes formed by cool molten lava. The Hells Gate Gorge is located within Hell’s Gate and is flanked by red cliffs that contain two volcanic plugs: Fischer’s Tower and Central Tower. To the south of Central Tower is a smaller valley with a walkway that descends into hot springs with rocks hot enough to produce burns and sulfuric water.
How do I get there?
By Road:
This Park may be reached by asphalt road from Nairobi (90 kilometers) via Naivasha Town on the Lake Road South at a crossroads 5 kilometers south of Naivasha.
By plane:
Naivasha airstrip
Wildlife
The Park is home to various species but in small numbers. Lions, leopards, and cheetahs are examples of rarely seen animals. However, the Park has historically been a critical habitat for the endangered lammergeyer vulture. The Park is home to over 103 bird species, including vultures, Verreaux’s eagles, augur buzzards, and swifts.
Among the activities are:
Biking
Climbing over rocks
observing birds
Watching a game
Hiking
Camping