Hell's Gate National Park,

Hell's Gate National Park covers an area of 68.25 square kilometres (26 sq mi), relatively small by African standards. The park is at 1,900 metres (6,200 ft) above sea level. It is within Nakuru County, near Lake Naivasha and approximately 90 kilometres (56 mi) from Nairobi.The park is located 14 kilometres (9 mi) after the turnoff from the old Nairobi-Naivasha highway, and has a warm and dry climate. Olkaria and Hobley's, two extinct volcanoes located in the park, can be seen as well as obsidian forms from the cool molten lava. Within Hell's Gate is the Hells Gate Gorge, lined with red cliffs which contain two volcanic plugs: Fischer's Tower and Central Tower.Off of Central Tower is a smaller gorge which extends to the south, with a path that descends into hot springs that have rocks hot enough to cause burns, and sulfuric water.

The climate at Hell’s Gate is similar to other places near the equator in that temperatures are fairly consistent year-round. What makes it unusual is its altitude, which is high enough to lend a distinct coolness to the air, particularly at night. The Dry season (June to October) sees plenty of blue-sky days, while the Wet season (November to May) trades the sunshine for afternoon showers.

Wildlife

Hell’s Gate is not a Big Five destination. There is plenty of wildlife, but aside from buffalo – nothing to worry about – which makes walking and cycling excellent activities. Burchell's zebra, Coke's hartebeest, Thomson's and Grant's gazelle and impala are the main grazers. Giraffe and Defassa waterbuck can also be encountered. Olive baboons are all over the cliffs. Predators aren’t easy to spot, but cheetah is here, while spotted hyena and black-backed jackal can sometimes be seen at dusk.

Wildlife Highlights

The plain-looking Chanler's mountain reedbuck is one of the more unusual antelope species that can be seen in the park. The park is also good for some of the small antelopes like Kirk's dik-dik and steenbok. Predators are shy here, but there is a chance of seeing the elegant serval.

Hell’s Gate National Park is situated in the environs of Lake Naivasha about 90 km from Nairobi. The park is 14 km after the turnoff from the old Nairobi-Naivasha highway.

Hell’s Gate can be visited for hiking and cycling throughout the year, but wildlife viewing is best in the dry months from June to October when the grass is short. The scenery however, is at its most spectacular during the Wet season from November to May.

Campsites: Endachata Campsite, Naiburta Campsite, Oldubai Campsite

And here are 6 reasons why a trip to Hell’s Gate National Park should be on your bucket list:

• At Hell’s Gate you can enjoy walking safaris, and even families with young energetic children can take part in a walk in the wild alongside zebra, eland, gazelle and giraffe.
• And if you don’t fancy walking, hire a bike at the gate of the park and enjoy a ride in the wild.
• Camping facilities are available within the park so it’s a wonderful place for you to pitch up tent under the dazzling Kenyan night sky.
• On a visit to the park you can see African buffalos, zebras, elands, hartebeests, Thomson’s gazelles, baboons and over 100 bird species including vultures, Verreaux’s eagles, augur buzzards and swifts. Rare lammergeier vultures, as well as the Chandler’s mountain reedbuck and the klipspringer antelope also call the park home.
• Amazing scenery will surround you thanks to Fischer’s Tower, the Central Tower, and the park’s gorge. Fischer’s Tower came to be as a result of volcanic activity that occurred 35 million years ago. It was later named after a German explorer named Gustav Fischer, and it is now one of the park’s many popular rock climbing sites.
• It is easily accessible on a day trip from Nairobi, which can be happily organised for you by Glory Safaris.

Attractions

• Spectacular scenery including the towering cliffs, water-gouged gorges, stark rock towers, scrub clad volcanoes and belching plumes of geothermal steam make it one of the most atmospheric Parks in Africa.
• Wildlife viewing
• Raptor nesting in cliffs
• Hot springs
• The Olkaria Geothermal Station
• The Mervyn Carnelley Raptor Hide
• Tourist circuits, nature trails, Health spa