Hell's Gate National Park
Location & Size: Next to Lake Naivasha on the floor of the Rift Valley. located between Naivasha Lake and Longonot and Suswa volcanoes; covers 68.25 Km/sq
When to visit the park: All year round.
Climate: The climate is averagely warm and dry. Temperature ranges from 20-30 c and rainfall from 200mm – 700 mm. The Park receives 2 rain seasons: Long rains – March & April & short rains – Nov/ December.
Altitude: 5,000-7,000 Ft
Distance: 90Km from Kenya's Capital - Nairobi
Hell's Gate National Park lies south of Lake Naivasha in Kenya, north west of Nairobi. Hell's Gate National Park is named after a narrow break in the cliffs resembling the pillars of a gate and hot springs and geysers smoking at a distance, once a tributary of a prehistoric lake that fed early humans in the Rift Valley. It was established in 1984. A small national park, it is known for its wide variety of wildlife and diverse topography and geological sceneries which includes the Fischer's Tower and Central Tower columns and Hell's Gate Gorge. The park which is mainly comprised of savannah ecosystem is home to a wide variety of wildlife.
Hell's Gate National Park covers an area of 68.25 km2 and is situated in the environs of Lake Naivasha about 90 km from Nairobi. The park is situated 14 km after the turnoff from the old Nairobi-Naivasha highway.
The park is popular due to its close proximity to Nairobi and walking safaris. Hell's Gate Park is equipped with three basic campsites.[2] There are also several lodges around Naivasha Lake.
Attractions:
- Game viewing.
- Raptor nesting in cliffs.
- Spectacular gorge walk,
- Hot springs,
- Scenic landscape.
Accommodation Facilities:
There is no accommodation in the park, although there is a wide range of accommodations options available on the shores of lake Naivasha.
They include:
- Lake Naivasha Country club.
- Sopa lodge
- Simba Lodge
- Elsa Mere Centre
Campsites inside the Park:
?Oldubai campsite( on the cliff top south of Fischer’s Tower)?Nairburta campsite?Endchata campsite (across the gorge on the northern cliffs)
Activities:
- ?Walking Safari,
- Camping,
- Rock climbing,
- Biking,
- Bird watching and wildlife viewing.
