Hell's Gate National Park

Hell’s Gate National Park is a tiny park named after a narrow break in the cliffs, once a tributary

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of a prehistoric lake that fed early humans in the Rift Valley. It is unique among Kenya’s wildlife parks, as you are allowed to walk or cycle without a guide. There’s dramatic scenery, with steep cliffs, gorges and basalt columns. The national park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, though many are few in number. Examples of little seen wildlife include lions, leopards, and cheetahs.Hell’s Gate is one of Kenya’s smallest National Parks, but what it lacks in size is more than compensated for by its unusual features and charm. Above ground the parks’ volcanic history is clearly visible in the form of towering ochre-coloured cliffs, looming lava-rock towers, gorges and caves. There is still evidence of the layer of volcanic ash that covered the surface of the park when Mt. Longonot last erupted around 100 years ago. Below the surface, geothermal forces bubble and hiss, pushing hot water to the surface in the form of steam jets, geysers, hot springs and even hot waterfalls. The geothermal activity has been harnessed by three power stations, which together provide a sizable portion of Kenya’s electricity. Although it is perhaps a little disconcerting to come upon the associated signs of industry within a national park, the geothermal power stations are very interesting to visit as part of your excursion to Hell’s Gate.