Wildebeest Travels » Destinations » Kenya

you are here ::

home » destinations » kenya » hell's gate


	Overview



	Kenya



	Rwanda



	Tanzania



	Uganda

Around ninety kilometres northwest of Nairobi, just south of the shores of Lake Naivasha, Hell's Gate was established as a National Park in 1984, and is sometimes referred to as the 'Kenyan Grand Canyon'. It is believed that this 15km-long gorge formed when Lake Naivasha overflowed more than 5000 years ago.

Home to two extinct volcanoes, Olkaria and Hobleys, Hell's Gate still has evidence of its volcanic days, as it is covered in black volcanic glass and steaming geysers. It also has two volcanic plugs, Fischer's Tower and Central Tower - it is possible to climb Fischer's Tower, or at least have a go, for as little as $7.

The upper gorge is bound by 120m-high cliffs, but as you walk through the gorge and it narrows and deepens you will pass steam vents and hot springs. These provide the park with a valuable natural resource - geothermal energy. In the 1980s a power station was build to harness this energy and now provides Kenya with 15% of its power.

Because of the lack of predators, this is one of few parks where it is possible to either walk or cycle (although if you are hiring a bike locally, make sure it looks like it will get you there and back!). You should be able to spot giraffe, zebra, gazelle, impala, warthog, baboon as well as a number of birds including a selection of vultures and the lammergeyer perched high on the cliffs.

Also after you visit, you may recognise Hell's Gate as being familiar as it was used during filming Tomb Raider in 2002.

	Wildebeest Safaris
	1 Day - Hell's Gate Adventure		read more »
	2 Day - Hell's Gate & Lake Nakuru		read more »
	2 Day - Hell's Gate & Lake Naivasha Adventure		read more »
	5 Day - Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru & Hell's Gate		read more »
	6 Day - Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha & Hell's Gate		read more »

	Accommodation Options
	There are only 'rough' camp sites in the National Park. If you want to camp you need to bring everything yourself.
	Elsemere		read more »
	Fisherman's Camp
	Naivasha Sopa Lodge

Fact File

Location: 90km north of Nairobi, on the southern side of Lake Naivasha

Area: 68 sq km

Highlights: Dramatic scenery, walk through the lower george, hot springs, walking amongst animals.

Animals: Leopard, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, hyena, wildebeest, impala, gazelle, eland, waterbuck, dik dik, steinbuck, klipspringer, warthog, baboon, jackal, mongoose. There are lots of birds of prey including vultures, griffon, owl, eagle, lammergeyer.