DESTINATION GUIDE // KENYA
Hell's Gate National Park
Towering cliffs, steam vents and the only Kenyan park where you can cycle and walk among the game.
68 km2
PARK AREA
Cycling
AND WALKING
90 km
FROM NAIROBI
Gorge
HIKING
Geothermal
HOT SPRINGS
Quick answer: Hell’s Gate National Park covers 68 square kilometres near Lake Naivasha, about 90 km northwest of Nairobi. Because it has no large predators in significant numbers, it is one of very few Kenyan parks where visitors can cycle, walk and hike unescorted.
OVERVIEW AND LOCATION
Hell's Gate National Park At A Glance
Hell’s Gate is unlike anywhere else on the Kenyan circuit. Red cliffs rise on either side of a broad valley, steam escapes from geothermal vents and you explore it on a bicycle rather than from a vehicle. Zebra, giraffe, buffalo and eland graze beside the track. The Ol Njorowa gorge, reached on foot with a local guide, cuts deep through the rock and is the highlight for most visitors.
| Detail | At a glance |
|---|---|
| Location | Nakuru County, near Lake Naivasha |
| Distance from Nairobi | Approximately 90 km, under 2 hours by road |
| Size | 68 km2 |
| Established | 1984 |
| Known for | Cycling safaris, Ol Njorowa gorge, Fischer Tower, geothermal steam |
| Typical visit | A full day, easily done from Nairobi or Naivasha |
WILDLIFE AND ACTIVITIES
What You Will See and Do
Cycling Among Game
Bicycles can be hired at the gate. Riding past zebra and giraffe with no vehicle between you and them is the reason most people come.
Ol Njorowa Gorge
A narrow gorge walked with a Maasai guide, with hot springs, rock scrambles and steep red walls. Not advisable in wet weather.
Raptors and Cliffs
Fischer Tower and the surrounding cliffs support Verreaux eagle, augur buzzard and Ruppell vulture. Rock climbing is permitted on the tower.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
When To Go
| Months | What to expect | Crowds |
|---|---|---|
| Jun to Oct | Dry, firm tracks, best for cycling and the gorge | Medium |
| Jan to Feb | Hot and dry, start early to avoid the midday heat | Medium |
| Mar to May | Long rains, gorge unsafe due to flash floods | Low |
| Nov to Dec | Short rains, green, generally still rideable | Low |
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