Hell's Gate National Park

Hell's Gate National Park  lies south of Lake Naivasha in Kenya.



Understand
Hell's Gate National Park was established in 1984 and named after a narrow break in the cliffs. The park is mostly known for its scenery, what includes the Fischer's Tower and Central Tower columns and the Hell's Gate Gorge. It is also a good place to meet giraffes, zebras or warthogs face to face while walking or biking through the park.

Get in
By car or arranged tour.

Fees and permits

 * US$26 for non-resident adults (2024)
 * Ksh 700 for adult residents
 * Ksh 350 for a car (less than 6 seats)
 * Ksh 200 to take a bike into the park

The entry fee has to be paid with credit card (no cash!) via https://kws.ecitizen.go.ke/services/1/apply/16, they can also handle it for you at the gate but booking ahead of time allows you to skip potential queues.

Get around

 * Bike (usually rental)
 * Foot
 * Car

See
As of 2024, access to all Gorges is forbidden since 2019 because of flash flood incidents.

Do

 * The 14km “Buffalo Circuit” gives you a better chance to see giraffes, and provides a stunning view of Longonot volcano. Allow plenty of time because you probably have to push for a steep section to the lookout at the top.
 * You can also make it a hike, or half-half bike/walk/drive, you will have more time to take in everything on foot as you have to be mindful of the path while biking. Some of the walls have a nice echo.
 * There are a couple of stores, restaurants and other businesses near Elsa Gate that can store your backpack while you cycle around the park. Organise with the bicycle rental guys and tip the store owner when you get back.
 * There is a nice market behind the Ranger's Camp just before the Gorge. You can stock up with slightly overpriced supplies and get decently priced handicraft if you take some time to chat and haggle (a Maasai Belt for example starts at Ksh 10k but may be acquired as low as Ksh 2k)
 * There is a nice market behind the Ranger's Camp just before the Gorge. You can stock up with slightly overpriced supplies and get decently priced handicraft if you take some time to chat and haggle (a Maasai Belt for example starts at Ksh 10k but may be acquired as low as Ksh 2k)

Eat
If you plan to do a day trip, go with some food and refreshments. There are also usually cooled drinks and some snacks available for purchase at the Market between Ranger's Camp and Gorge.

Drink
Water and soft drinks can be bought in the Elsa Gate shop and at the Ranger's Post at the Hell's Gate Gorge.

Camping
There are three basic camping sites in the national park.

Go next

 * Nairobi
 * Mount Longonot National Park
 * Lake Naivasha