Hell’s Gate National Park (Naivasha)

Popularly referred to as “the land of the daring and adventurous”, Hell’s Gate National Park which is just an hour’s drive from Nairobi is famous for its magnificent landscape. The valleys, rocky outcrops and winding gorges make it a haven for photographers. Being the only national park where walking or riding a bicycle is permitted makes it even more attractive. Covering an area of 68.25 km2 and about 90 km from Nairobi, Hell’s Gate welcomes you into the adventurous daring world of Game viewing, rock climbing, home of the geysers, Raptor nesting in cliffs, walking along Spectacular gorge, geological sceneries, hot springs, scenic landscape, the Geothermal Station, Masai culture among others. The Park is situated in the environs of Lake Naivasha which is Kenya’s land of blossoming roses and other flowers and vineyards.


Hell’s Gate National Park has some of Kenya’s best Rock Climbing. There are high cliffs with several possible routes, and plenty of opportunity for climbs and Abseiling. Fischer’s Tower, a large volcanic pillar, is also a good climb. There are qualified rock climbing guides based at Hell’s Gate Park headquarters whereas equipment and guiding services can be hired at the Park’s gate.

Despite its rather alarming title, Hell’s Gate National Park provides the ideal venue for a day trip from Nairobi, a truly panoramic picnic spot, or an evocative camping stopover. Spectacular sceneries which include 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.