Location: 100 km (60 mi) West of Nairobi Map
Area: 68.25 km²
Tel. 050 50407
Open: 6am- 6pm daily
Hell's Gate National Park is located 100 km (60
mi) West of Nairobi in Kenya. Hell's Gate National Park covers an
area of 68.25 km². The national park got its name because of the
narrow passage in the rocks, which was once a tributary of a
prehistoric lake in the rift valley. This name was given to the
place back in 1883 by researchers Fisher and Thomson. In the early
1900s, Longonot volcano woke up and ashes are still found throughout
the park. In 1981, the Olkaria geothermal station was created, the
first of its kind in Africa, generating geothermal energy from hot
springs and geysers. The park was officially established in 1984.
Geography
Gates of Hell National Park covers an area of
68.25 square kilometers and is relatively small by African
standards. The park is located in Nakuru County, Rift Valley
Province near Lake Naivasha, about 90 kilometers from Nairobi at an
altitude of about 1900 m above sea level. The park has a warm and
dry climate. There are two extinct volcanoes in the park - Olkaria
and Khobli. There you can also find obsidian forms from cooled
molten lava. In the park there is a gorge “Gates of Hell”,
consisting of red rocks, in which there are two volcanic extrusive
bismalites: the Fisher Tower and the Central Tower. Starting from
the Central Tower, a smaller gorge begins, which extends south and
descends to the hot springs.
Flora and fauna
The park has
a wide variety of species of large animals, although many of them
are present in small quantities. Small species include lions,
leopards and cheetahs. Damans, African buffalo, zebras, canna
antelopes, congonis, Thomson's gazelle and baboons are widespread in
the park. The park is also the habitat of the serval and a small
number of springbok antelopes and mountain redunks. The park has
more than 100 species of birds, including vultures, Kaffir eagle,
rock buzzard and swifts. Historically, the park was the habitat of a
rare bearded man.
The park is popular because of its
proximity to Nairobi and lower fees compared to other national
parks. The Gates of Hell is one of two Kenyan national parks where
hiking, cycling and motorbiking are allowed. Kenyan newspaper Daily
Nation describes mountain climbing in the park as "very exciting."
She also recommends the Joy Adamson Center and boating on Lake
Naivasha. Masai Cultural Center conducts educational activities
about the culture and traditions of the Masai tribe.
Entrance
fee to the park (2013):
Category Cost
Citizens of States
East Africa 300 KSh
Students and children of states
East
African 200 KSh
Citizens of others
states $ 25
Students and
children
other states $ 15
Vehicle
less than 6 places (for
1 day) 300 KSh