Despite its name, Hell's Gate is an ideal family gateway for a day trip from Nairobi or stopover en-route to Lake Nakuru or the Maasai Mara, located just beyond Lake Naivasha.


Famous for its natural hot geyser, eagle and vulture breeding grounds, visitors have the choice of driving, walking, camping, cycling and rockclimbing within the park. Horseback safaris can also be arranged.

Special locations to view include Fisher's Tower, formerly a volcano's plug, the Central Tower and Njorowa Gorges. Two extinct volcanos: Olkaria and Honley's are worth a trip.

Natural steam vents rise from fissures in the volcanic rock. Obsidian, a striking black glassy rock formed from cooled molten lava is a feature of this landscape. Game to view include: hyrax, buffalo, Masai Giraffe, eland, Coke's Hartebeest, lion, leopard and some cheetah.

A haven for ornithologists and rock climbers, the cliffs of Hell's Gate are breeding grounds for vultures, Verreaux's Eagles, Augur Buzzard and thousands of swifts; 103 species of bird have been recorded in the park.

Central Kenya, the Highlands and the Great Rift Valley

• Nairobi National Park
• Hell's Gate National Park
• Mount Longonot National Park
• Lake Nakuru National Park
• Lake Bogoria National Park
• Maasai Mara National Reserve
• Aberdare Ranges National Park
• Mount Kenya National Park
• Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park
• Mwea National Reserve