Visit the park that inspired the Disney Animation, the Lion King. Hell's Gate National Park is between Lake Naivasha and the Longonot and Suswa volcanoes. It is covered by ashes from the Longonot eruption which occurred 100 years ago, the park is famous for its geothermal station, Lower Gorge, and spectacular sceneries of towering cliffs, scrub-clad volcanoes, water-gouged gorges, and plumes of geothermal steam. The name Hell’s Gate is derived from the most impressive feature in the Park, the Ol Jorowa Gorge, which runs through the middle of the park. The gorge formed the overflow of Lake Naivasha between lower and middle Cambrian times.
There are significant geomorphological and biological resources. These resources include the Ol Jorowa gorge (caused by the volcanic disturbances of the Great Rift Valley), Obsidian caves, Fischer’s and the central towers, which are the physiographic basis of the park; the floral and faunal communities, and its fragile soils.
The fact that you won’t see predators is the park’s secret advantage: the lack of predators means you can take in savannas and come face to face with giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and warthogs on your own two feet—or better yet, on bicycle wheels. Hell’s Gate is one of the only places in East Africa where you can hike the totality of a park. You can even go on a biking safari—a far cry from peeping animals through a safari vehicle’s roof.
Wildlife of Hell's Gate National Park
- African buffalo, zebra, eland, hartebeest, Thomson's gazelle and baboons are common. The park is also home to klipspringer antelope and Chandler’s mountain reedbuck
- Prolific birdlife – there are over 100 species of birds in the park, including vultures, Verreaux's Eagles, augur buzzards and swifts.
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.
