Hell’s Gate National Park is named after a narrow break in the cliffs. Once believed to be a tributary of a prehistoric lake that fed early humans in the Rift Valley. It received the name “Hell’s Gate” by explorers Fisher and Thomson in 1883 for the intense geothermal activity within its boundaries, the outlet of a prehistoric freshwater lake, which once stretched all the way to Nakuru.  Hell’s Gate National Park inhabits a quarter of the Great Rift Valley. Spectacular scenery including the towering cliffs, water-gouged gorges, stark rock towers, scrub clad volcanoes and large bellowing plumes of geothermal steam make it one of the most atmospheric Parks in Africa. Hell’s Gate is an ideal venue for a day trip from Nairobi where, in addition to the biodiversity that includes raptors, visitors can enjoy mountain biking, rock climbing and a natural spa.

Rising from the floor of the Great Rift Valley like a monolith is the extinct volcano of Mount Longonot. A unique feature is the thick forest that lies within the crater of the mountain. The crater rim also provides great scenic views across the beautiful Rift Valley all the way to Lake Naivasha. Wildlife attractions include buffalo, elands, lions, leopards, bushbucks, common zebras, giraffes, and Grant’s gazelles. Hell’s Gate is a popular hiking and cycling spot for tourists and locals and is known for its towering cliffs and gorges carved by a prehistoric lake. The park’s scenery inspired the 1994 Disney animation “The Lion King,” and the 2003 film “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life” was shot on location there.

Tours of Mount Longonot

The best time for viewing wildlife is at dawn, when most of the animals are about, also try to avoid the midday hours if you can, because the park can become intensely hot. Rock climbing, walking, mountain biking, nature trails, bird watching and driving tours are all highly popular, especially since the park offers marvelous views of the Aberdare Range and Lake Naivasha.

Park Information

Hot Line: 0770 070 405, 0774 435 934

Land Line 050-5040

Postal Address:

Hell’s Gate National Park,

P.O. Box 234-20117,

Naivasha, Kenya.

Campsites

Endachata Campsite

Naiburta Campsite

Oldubai Campsite

Tours

Skylink

Kenya and USA Safaris

Self-drive Tours of Amboseli Park

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Places to Visit

Maasai Cultural Center

The Maasai Cultural Center offers insight into the traditions and heritage of the Maasai people. The Cultural Center is clearly sign posted from the Main Gate.

The Mervyn Carnelley Raptor Hide – The hide sits on the northern end of Hell’s Gate National Park, within walking distance of Naiburta campsite.

How to get there: By vehicle, hiking, horse riding or biking from nearby Elsa gate. Elsa gate is about a 30-minute drive from Naivasha, where there are passenger buses, a train, and an airstrip.

Fischer’s Tower

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. 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 hyraxs. Augur buzzards are also easily seen, perched atop the volcanic plug of Fischer’s Tower.

The Birds

Some 103 different bird species have been recorded in the park, so you can reasonably expect to spot at least 25-30 species during a one-day visit; easiest to identify are the secretary bird and common ostrich, which patrol the valley floor.

The 120m-high cliffs, (white-streaked by colonies of nesting Egyptian and Ruppel’s griffon vultures) also provide a nesting site for thousands of Nyanza and mottled swifts; and a unique breeding ground for the elusive Verreaux’s eagle and the rare lammergeier eagle; Cape eagle-owls also nest in the gorge.

The Ol Basta Nature Trail

At the southern end of the gorge (12 km from Elsa Gate), a second rock tower, Ol Basta, marks the point at which the gorge becomes a tangled ravine. There is a car park here (which also makes an ideal picnic spot) where you may leave your car and explore the hiking trail.

Things to Do

Walking, birdwatching, mountain biking (bicycles are available for hire at Elsa Gate), hiking, camping and rock climbing.