Experience The Lion King

Hell’s Gate National Park is a getaway paradise. It’s ideal for a day trip, an excursion from your nearby hotel or campsite and for the savvy backpacker wanting to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, who wants to explore more of what Kenya has to offer. This is one of the places that inspired the animators of The Lion King (the musical film) whose second version is premiering this month.

Hell’s Gate is located in Naivasha, a town 90km from Nairobi, approximately a one-and-a-half-hour drive. Kenyan tour and travel agencies have caught onto the splendor that is in this wonderful getaway. There are various packages that suite everyone’s needs and expectations. Most packages include pick-up and drop off from Nairobi. Hotel pick-ups can sometimes be arranged. Most hotels and campsites around Naivasha usually offer excursions to Hell’s Gate too.

Some of the things to do at Hell’s Gate National Park include hiking,  gorge walk, trekking, rock climbing, abseiling, game drives, bird watching, bike riding, hot springs tour, and much more.   A day trip package may also include; riding a boat at the nearby Lake Naivasha, Crescent Island walking safari, Crater Lake tour, geothermal spa experience, Lake Oloiden trip/camping, visit the neighboring Mount Longonot, and Lake Nakuru National Park tour.

Hell’s Gate Gorge Walk / Trekking

The gorge at Hell’s Gate is a deep and wide valley surrounded by steep, curvaceous and beautiful rock walls. The gorge starts somewhere near Fischer’s Tower and runs across the national park. The gorge was formed when water flowing to Lake Naivasha ceased flowing through the Ol-Njorowa Gorge. This particular is the one featured in the Lion King film where a wildebeests’ stampede takes place. It is also the one Mufasa describes as the place where one experiences the ‘great circle of life’.

The gorge walk starts somewhere past the Fischer’s Tower and by the time one reaches the Ranger’s Post they can see the Central Tower in the background and this is just the beginning of the adventure. One has to walk all the way to the Devil’s Bedroom past some hot springs. It’s an amazing experience to view and feel the amazing rock walls.

Hell’s Gate Hike

Hiking is another great way to explore the park, in a more in-depth and personal way, allowing you to feel the rock faces and sit in its caves. With the added benefit of getting to see the waterfalls. A tour guide is highly recommended to join you on this as well at an extra fee but is not mandatory. Maps at the entrance as well as scattered signs may be enough to guide you along the right path without too much trouble.

Rock Climbing at Hell’s Gate Kenya

This amazing activity is normally done at the Fischer’s Tower which is a 25 meters high rock tower that was formed as a result of volcanic activity. For the more adventurous explorer, rock climbing is a must-try. The beautiful rock faces boast a range of difficulty levels. Allowing beginners and experts alike to enjoy this activity, with well trained professional instructors at your aid.

To do this activity one needs the services of an experienced guide who are based at the tower. They provide the safety equipment required such as ropes, helmets and more. One gets the opportunity to safely climb the tower and enjoy and a great view of the park from the top for a few minutes.  It is good to note that this activity is charged separately from the park entrance fees. One pays the guides at the rock climbing spot.

Game Drives at Hell’s Gate

Game drives are an obvious favorite, for the array of animals that are spread throughout the National Park. As well as the option of bird watching. A 4×4 or tour van is most appropriate because of the rough terrain. A tour guide can be arranged to join you if you choose to use your own vehicle, or a car with a guide can both be arranged, sometimes even at the entrance for the last minute impromptu traveler.

Bike Riding at Hell’s Gate

A trip to Hell’s Gate is not complete without renting bicycles and exploring the vast landscape in the open, with the sights and sounds all around you. Even allowing you to see some animals as you follow the trails. You have to take your bike with you to the park or hire a bike somewhere near the main entrance gate.

The biggest problem you’ll have upon getting to Hell’s Gate is picking out your first activity. With hiking, cycling, rock climbing and game drive to pick from, you’ll be planning your next trip before you even leave if you don’t get a chance to do it all. It is necessary to note that all payments (i.e. park entry fee) are done using a SAFARI CARD. These can be obtained from the entrance of the park at the main office.

How to Get to Hell’s Gate

A trip to Hells Gate can be as inexpensive as you want it to, by opting for some of the great packages offered. It can also be a fun weekend road trip with friends or family. With the diverse activities available there isn’t much-stopping anyone from enjoying the wonderful park. Various travel agencies in Kenya offer packages that get one to Hell’s Gate and back.

These packages often involve a tour of Hells Gate (varying activities) with Lake Naivasha, Crescent Island, neighboring Mount Longonot, or nearby Lake Nakuru, among others. A variety of packages to fulfill your trip’s needs. All great spots to visit. The rates range depending on the service provider and the number of people on the private tour, with special rates for children.

One of the best tour companies is Your Concern Tours which offers a Hells Gate, Crater Lake, and the Olkaria Geothermal hot spa tour package with several options. Their offer is pocket-friendly, packed with fun activities and is catered to a suite; larger crowds, solo travelers hoping to meet new people and a great networking opportunity.

By Antony Amos Waweru

Amos is a calm explorer, an engineer and travel enthusiast.