Hell’s Gate: the Kingdom of King Lion opens its doors

Nestled in the Rift Valley in Kenya, there is a unique and inspiring place. Enter the Hell’s Gate National Park.

The plain is flooded with sun. The sky is blazing. The dry herbs gently dominate the wind. The red earth flies in a little drunk. The trees only look like shy shoots in arid immensity. The waters are rare and shimmering. Here, the landscapes of savanna extend to a loss of sight.

No, you're not dreaming. You are at the heart of Africa and its symbolic lands. Specifically, at the Hell’s Gate National Park in Kenya. Perhaps you've felt catapult in King Lion? Actually, nothing surprising. This African valley has been able to conquer and inspire the creators of the animated mythical drawing. Ready for adventure? You are unveiled to visit the Hell’s Gate National Park.

Do you hear in the distance resonating the music of Hakuna Matata? Yes! Keep your ear well and follow us in this wonderful universe where life is not a concern... philosoooophie!

Open the gates of the Park of Hell

Literally, this pearl of Kenya is called the National Park of the Gates of Hell. Of course, this name is not very welcoming. Yet, believe us, this place is a still preserved jewel, which has a lot to offer to adventurers and lovers of untouched nature.

Sixty-nine square kilometres is the size of this National Volcanic Park in Kenya. It borders Lake Naivasha.

Where does that name come from? Several things!

In reality, this valley consists of fractured cliffs. The flaws are gigantic and so deep that they recall the swells of Hell. In addition, two huge cliffs of rolling rocks come out of land. A perfect allegory of Hell’s doors. This spectacular geological phenomenon is breathtaking. Finally, according to history, the volcanic eruptions destroyed part of the territory, formerly Maasai. This people combining fire to Hell, the National Park becomes Hell’s Gate.

In any case, you have grasped that the Hell’s Gate National Park promises you an unusual stay.

Hell’s Gate National Park: the secret place of Disney Studios

The rocky landscape houses two dormant volcanoes, Olkaria and Hobley’s, as well as a lush and singular fauna. At the turn of a hiking trail, you can even reach hot water sources and tropical forests. Among the endemic animals, the park is no feline. What makes you can visit the Hell’s Gate National Park on foot or by bike. This particularity is very appreciated, as the majority of Kenyan parks can only be visited in 4×4.

However, the scarcity of the felines did not prevent the Hell’s Gate National Park from being the star of the Disney studios. In terms of landscapes, this place has nourished the imagination of King Lion’s cartoonists. The spectacular scenery inspired the famous rock where Simba roars proudly...

Discover the Hell’s Gate National Park

Trails and volcanic monuments

The Hell’s Gate National Park offers a special panorama where the flaws, volcanoes, rock towers and canyons prevail in the landscape.

Among the flagship hikes (walking or cycling): volcanic loops. Do not miss, in particular, the Buffalo circuit, a fifteen-kilometre loop through the high cliffs, looking for animals and with Mont Longonot's backdrop. Less physical and shorter, the Twiga Loop is no less fabulous. Opter for a bike park ride is interesting if you want to see a maximum. The dusty paths are sometimes rocky, but it is a practical way to swallow the terminals and explore the whole splendour of fauna and flora.

During your walks, stop for a moment at the Fisher’s Tower: a volcanic needle of twenty-five meters high that rises in vigy. Visit the Hell’s Gate National Park, if you don’t have vertigo, even lets you discover the talents of climber. For the bravest or curious, climb the Fisher’s Tower! The instructors are here, no panic. At the top of this basalt promontory, the view is splendid. The baboons will laugh at your hesitant movements!

Wild animals released

This is the most incredible experience it is given to live at the Hell’s Gate National Park! Walk and cross, free and wild, herds of zebra, gazelles or buffalos. Raise your eyes, some fiery baboons play in the trees while giraffes buzz the leaves. Raise your head a little higher, thousands of birds travel through the sparkling sky. These walks invite a deep contemplation and it is impossible to emerge without a thousand stars in the eyes. We told you, carnivorous predators are very rare in the national park. But so much for you! Of course, you will sometimes have to arm yourself with patience and discretion to have the privilege of these shows.

A spa

By entering the Hell’s Gate National Park, you will discover an exceptional volcanic landscape. Do you know this includes an intense underground life? The National Park is therefore an ideal place to admire geysers and experience natural hot water baths.

Ol Katia is a thermal power plant established in 1981. In its spas, relax your hardened muscles or simply enjoy a good time off. The water naturally frys the 60 degrees and would even have healing virtues thanks to the thousands of minerals contained in it. The spa even generates electricity thanks to geysers and hot water sources! Yes, the Hell’s Gate National Park is unique!

The Gorges of Ol Nijorwa

Smooth or striated, abrupt, sandy, slippery and physical, Ol Nijorwa Gorges are breathtaking natural formations.

A walking path, about two hours long, allows you to explore them. If the hike is not resting, it is grandiose and rather fun! Your guide lends you strong hand to walk on a few stops and tells you the best stone to place your foot. The rhythm is irregular and from time to time acrobatic. Sometimes even the rivers that have dug the volcanic stone seem to have been turned away: the path is shrinking. But tossing in such prowess of nature, such as an an antelope in King Lion, it has no price!

This timeless labyrinth sometimes leads you to a natural hot water source, revealing the intense underground activity of national park.

Do you know that even Lara Croft went through these narrow and intertwined gorges? In the absence of roaring and stirring a shout, ready to survey the Hell’s Gate National Park in Tomb Raider mode?

Go to Hell’s Gates National Park

How?

From France, you will have to fly to Kenya. We invite you to consult our partner's offers Ulysses to find the flight that will most satisfy your budget.

Once arriving in Kenya, departures are usually made from Nairobi the capital of the country. Count two and a half hours of road, through the rougie and noisy plains. A journey through the Rift Valley is already a journey in itself! You have the choice between two access routes:

• Elsa Gate, the closest;
• Ol Karina Gate, near the spa.

If you rent a vehicle in Nairobi , prefer a 4×4, more suitable for dirt roads.

When?

If the Ol Nijorwa Gorge stifles the sunlight, you will be easily, and almost all year round, in the sun! The Rift Valley is globally spared by the long canicular months.

Prefer to visit the Hell’s Gates National Park in June to October: the temperature oscillates around twenty-five degrees, without precipitating. Before and after, rainy episodes are present. Careful especially in April and May: the heart of the monsoon.

At what price?

What price to enter the Hell’s Gate National Park? As a tourist, your right of passage costs about thirty euros.

If you use a guide, the price is about twenty euros a day.

Many "all inclusive" excursions are organized by agencies in Nairobi. The price depends on the package and the time spent on site. On average, count between thirty-five and one hundred-sixty-ten euros the trip.

The other treasures of the Rift region

Naivasha and Nakuru lakes

Yes, the creators of Simba had to burst during their screening!

Visit the Hell’s Gate National Park offers many opportunities for activities quite close. Among them, a walk near the lakes lost in the African savannah.

Naivasha and Nakuru are enchanting lakes, surrounded by pink strips, which are absolutely worth a visit if you stay several days in the Rift Valley. These ribbons are actually hundreds of bright pink flamingos in the sun. You have the opportunity to take a boat ride on Lake Naivaisha. The two lakes are also a paradise for bird enthusiasts. You can take a day from Nairobi to visit each other.

The volcanoes of Mont Longonot and Menengai

On a trip to Mont Logonot National Park, you can hike on a volcano. Certainly asleep, but it is quite impressive! Especially when you arrive at the edge of the crater, which seemed a few hours rather lost in the clouds...

Not far, the crater of Menengai is the largest in the country. Its lava flows into the black sea are still well visible despite the vegetation that reclaimed its rights. Ascension is on foot or by car. According to legend, the jets of vapours that spring from the bottom of the crater carry the souls of the Maasai warriors to heaven.