Hell's Gate is one of the few Kenyan parks where you can walk and cycle among wildlife. There are no lions or elephants here, so you can ride a bicycle between zebra, giraffe and eland, and walk on foot into a dramatic gorge whose red cliffs, towering Fischer's Tower and steaming vents make it feel like a film set. The landscape is said to have inspired parts of the Lion King.
It is a small park beside Lake Naivasha, ideal for an active morning, and a good break from a day in a vehicle. Rock climbers use Fischer's Tower, geothermal vents push steam out of the ground, and birders find Verreaux's eagle, lammergeier and augur buzzard on the cliffs.
Hell’s Gate has no large predators, which is why it is safe for walking and cycling. Plains zebra, Maasai giraffe, eland, Thomson’s gazelle, Grant’s gazelle, buffalo and warthog graze on the plains, and baboons and klipspringer live on the rocks. Leopard and serval are present but rarely seen.
Chance of seeing
Our estimate for a stay of two or three nights with a good guide. Wildlife is wild, so nothing is promised.
Vertical red cliffs, volcanic plugs, hot springs and open plains fill the park. Fischer’s Tower stands alone, the gorge walls close in, and steam rises from the ground in places, so the walk feels like crossing a different planet.
Activities here
The park is mild and often windy, with warm days around 22°C to 26°C and cool nights, down to about 10°C in the dry months. The rains come from March to May and in November.
| Month | Day °C | Night °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 25 | 10 | 40 |
| Feb | 26 | 10 | 40 |
| Mar | 26 | 11 | 70 |
| Apr | 24 | 12 | 140 |
| May | 23 | 12 | 110 |
| Jun | 22 | 11 | 60 |
| Jul | 21 | 10 | 60 |
| Aug | 22 | 10 | 70 |
| Sep | 24 | 10 | 60 |
| Oct | 25 | 11 | 60 |
| Nov | 24 | 12 | 90 |
| Dec | 24 | 10 | 60 |
Approximate long-term averages. Higher ground is cooler, and forests can rain in any month.
December to March and June to September are good for walking and cycling, with dry paths and clear light on the cliffs. Early morning is cooler and quieter.
The gorge can flood suddenly after heavy rain, so walks in the gorge may be closed in the wet months. The plains remain open, and the landscape is fresh and green.
Hell’s Gate is a year-round stop. The dry months make the gorge walk safest and the cycling pleasant, while the green months bring flowers and birds. Mornings are best for temperature and wildlife.
Best time to visit Jan to Feb
The park is about 90 kilometres from Nairobi, a drive of two to two and a half hours, and sits just south of Lake Naivasha. Most guests combine it with a stay at the lake, on the way to the Mara or Lake Nakuru.
Park fees are included in our safaris. Most visitors need a Kenya eTA arranged online before travel, and a passport valid for at least six months.
The sun is strong and there is little shade, so bring a hat, water and sunscreen. Guides lead the gorge walks. Check with us about recent rain, because the gorge can flash flood.
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“Our take”
Hell’s Gate is one of the few parks where you can cycle among animals, and a good half day from Naivasha.
Safaris from
US$1,560 per person
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