Hell’s Gate National Park is a 90-minute drive from Nairobi and the perfect place for a day trip or overnight stay. Sandwiched between Mount Longonot, a dormant volcano, and the placid waters of Lake Naivasha, the park is renowned for its incredible scenery, which includes towering cliffs, gorges, geothermal activity, and wildlife.
Hells Gate National Park is fairly unique in Kenya in that, owing to a lack of predatory wildlife, visitors can engage in a wealth of adventure activities, including hiking, climbing, and cycling.
Hells Gate National Park and Naivasha
Hell’s Gate National Park is located near Naivasha, which deserves its own mention. Both Naivasha and Hells Gate are approximately an hour and a half drive from Nairobi, but the change in scenery and environment is enormous. It’s always warmer in the rift and the vegetation shows the difference. Nairobi’s tower blocks are replaced by golden fields studded with candelabra and acacia trees. Once you turn off Old Naivasha Road and start to skirt the lake, houses and shops give way to zebra, giraffes, warthogs and Marabou Storks, all set against the silvered waters of Naivasha’s lake. Naivasha has plenty of places to eat and sleep, but I’ll get to that later.
Hells Gate National Park
Hells Gate National Park is a place of volcanoes; looming cliffs, gorges, caves and towering spires replace the grasslands, lake and acacia. The park’s dramatic landscapes inspired scenes from Disney’s The Lion King. Wildlife is abundant, including zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, gazelles, and even leopards. While it’s not known for large predators, visitors can enjoy close-up encounters with the animals.
Ol Njorowa Gorge – Hells Gate National Park
The Ol Njorowa Gorge is a highlight of Hell’s Gate National Park. The narrow gorge has been carved by years of erosion and is famous for its rock formations, hot springs, and steam vents. It’s a popular spot for hiking and exploration. The 24 km gorge is a tunnel hewn from the golden stone by a seasonal river. The undulating cliff faces offer a fantasy of caves and a deep path through rust coloured rock, the walls towering high enough to block out the sun. The two-hour walk takes you to a cave called the Devil’s Bedroom; it involves some climbing, jumping and abseiling down a small rope, but my very young kids managed it, so it’s entirely possible as long as you are relatively able. As you pass through the gorge, boiling hot rivers of water bubble up from between the rocks, forming warm streams for the kids to splash in. Some of the water sources are too hot even to touch.
Flash flooding Warnings in the Ol Njorowa Gorge: Quick warning: The Ol Njorowa Gorge is subject to severe flash flooding, and several deaths have occurred. The gorge was shut to visitors in 2023; please check with KWS before you leave if you intend to hike it.
Geothermal Activity
The park is named after the intense geothermal activity evident through hot springs and steam vents. The Olkaria Geothermal Plant, located within the park, taps into this power and is one of the first geothermal energy projects in Africa. You can visit the Olkaria Spa which comprises three separate swimming pools, each naturally heated from the hot springs to a different temperature. Entrance to the springs is in addition to the park fee and is 400 KSH citizen/ 1000 resident and 30 USD for Non Residents
Climbing and Hiking in Hells Gate National Park
The park is a popular destination for rock climbers. Fischer’s Tower and Central Tower are iconic rock formations that attract climbers of various skill levels. The park also offers hiking trails that lead through its picturesque landscape. For climbing, you can rent equipment in Naivasha. There are three main climbing areas:
- Fischer’s Tower: A 25-metre volcanic ‘plug’ that offers climbing routes suited to beginners and more experienced climbers. Short single-pitch climbs.
- Central Tower: An advanced climb requiring technical skill and equipment. Multi pitch climbing.
- The Obsidian Caves: – Less well known that the former two, the Obsidian Caves are an interesting geographical feature within themselves and offer a chance to explore.
Biking Hells Gate National Park
Biking at Hells Gate National Park is a hugely popular activity. If you don’t have your own bike, you can rent (very rickety) old bikes from the northeastern entrance to Hell’s Gate. Some hotels and camps, such as Camp Carnellys, offer bike rentals. I’ve added a link below to Get Your Guide, which offers biking tours of the park, among other things.
The roads within Hells Gate National Park are well-maintained and are a mix of gravel and tarmac. The trip from Elsa Gate to the Lower Gorge Ranger Post and back is 17 km.
Where to Stay in Hell’s Gate National Park
Apart from camping, your only accommodation options are in Naivasha.
Hippo Point is a 5-star hotel on the shores of Lake Oloiden. Read my blog about Hippo Point.
Naivasha Kongoni Lakefront Getaway – 4-star, onsite pool and restaurant, stunning views.
Honeymoon Hut Naivasha is north of Naivasha on the way to Gilgil, but is the perfect romantic escape.
Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort is a large, generic feeling resort, but it’s right on the lake and has a pool, restaurant and bike hire.
The Watch Tower is located inside dreamy Sanctuary Farm. There’s an on-site restaurant, plus other accommodation options and a campsite.
Camp Carnellys offers small bandas and camping.
Camping in Hell’s Gate National Park
I haven’t camped but I pinched this info on campsites inside the park from fellow bloggers, Kambu Campers. Check their full blog here https://kambucampers.com/camping-at-hells-gate-national-park/
How To Get To Hells Gate National Park from Nairobi
You can drive from Nairobi to Hell’s Gate, which takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic.
- Route: Take the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway (A104) heading towards Naivasha. After passing Naivasha town, follow the signs leading to Hell’s Gate National Park. It’s well-marked and relatively easy to find.
- Distance: About 90 km (56 miles).
Further Reading on Kenya
45 Unmissable Kenya Tourist Attractions & Secret Gems
33 Best Restaurants in Nairobi – UPDATED 2023
21 Incredible Family Friendly Resorts in Kenya 2024
Book Your Kenya Trip – Insider Tips
Find everything you need for visiting Kenya on my TRAVEL RESOURCES page.
Find everything you need for moving to Kenya in my THE EXPAT GUIDE TO LIVING IN NAIROBI book.
- Kenya Accommodation: Booking.com has the cheapest rates for hotels and guest houses in Kenya.
- Accommodation Reviews: TripAdvisor is my go-to portal for checking reviews on accommodation/restaurants in the local area. I never book without checking TripAdvisor first.
- ESIM: Airalo allows you to access the Internet from virtually any country without paying roaming charges
- Car Rental: Rental Cars is managed by Booking.com – guaranteed reliable.
- Tours and Guides in Kenya : Check out Get Your Guide and Viator – reputable companies that do tours within Kenya and East Africa.
- Travel Insurance: Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I recommend Visitors Coverage, which covers you for East Africa and offers ‘special insurance’ for safaris and adventure sports:
- Visitors Coverage
- Compensair – if you have a cancelled or delayed flight, you may get a refund.
Looks interesting. I have never been to Nairobi.I’ll add it to my bucket list. Love reading your blog.
This seems to be the perfect place for hiking! At first I got a little scared from the name but after seeing its beauty I really want to see it! ????
Oh my.. when i read the story about you and your family entering a lion den and the flood, it scared me! I am glad you guys were safe but this is an interesting place indeed.
Scared me too :o)
Oh wow this place looks absolutely amazing! Those caves are super impressive :) I would love to visit Nairobi actually!
You should… Kenya is awesome
looks like a great city to explore. You’ve put it on my bucket list
This looks like a great place for an adventure! I am desperate to ezplore more of Africa, so I’ll pop this into my bucket list :)
Great blog post. The scenery here looks fantastic. We haven’t been to Kenya yet, but last year I visited Ethiopia and Uganda and fell in love with East Africa. We’ll visit one day for sure and will keep this article for when we do.
I’m super keen to head to those countries
hi
firstly loved the place that you were writing about , second i simply am in awe that you live in such close quarters to raw nature , i mean what a blessing that is … was wondering did u not take a guide for the caves and gorges ?
Oh wow this place looks absolutely amazing! Especially lunch you had looks tasty. Very nice blog post.
Wow! Nairobi looks amazing!! Great post :)
I giggled when I read “My gypsy soul calls for more adventure whilst my wallet begs me to stay at home”.. story of all travel lovers and its amazing how all of us find ways to still fulfill our wanderlust! Hell Gate National Park looks amazing, including what it’s called. Its catchy! The gorge is beautiful and thank you for the warning about the flash flooding within the gorge. its important to note and plan the trip on a sunny day!
Kenya looks amazing and this place is no exception! The gorges the mountains, such a great spot to meet with mother nature!
It is indeed :o)
Hells Gate is such an appropriate name. lol. These are amazing places!
This is gorgeous! Hell’s Gate looks incredibly beautiful. Hope to visit Kenya one day!
Drop me a line if you do
Wow! This one sounds like a an awesome adventurous trip. Glad you are the family of explorers too. Agree to your point ‘wants more adventure but wallet doesn’t allow’…story of every explorer and adventurer. Can totally relate.
I’m hoping to checkout when I’m in Nairobi next week. Do you have any recommendations for guides?
Do you mean guides as in people? None Im afraid … where are you staying ?
Nice post. Kenya is a beautiful country.
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