Parks and reserves. Updated November 2026. 3 min read.
In Hell's Gate National Park you leave the vehicle behind and ride a bike past grazing zebras and giraffes, beneath red cliffs and columns of volcanic rock. Run by Kenya Wildlife Service, this small park of about 68 square kilometers (26 square miles) lies next to Lake Naivasha, about two hours from Nairobi. Cycling, hiking and climbing among wildlife make it one of the most memorable days in Kenya.
What makes Hell's Gate special
The park is named after a narrow break in the cliffs, and its landscape is volcanic. Fischer's Tower, a column of volcanic rock about 25 meters tall near the main gate, is named after the German explorer Gustav Fischer, who passed through in 1883. Further in, Central Tower rises above the Ol Njorowa Gorge, a narrow canyon of red and cream rock carved by water.
Steam rises from vents across the park, because Hell's Gate sits on the Olkaria geothermal field, one of Kenya's main sources of electricity. The power stations stand within and beside the park, and a geothermal spa lets you soak in warm mineral water. Kenya is one of the world's leading producers of geothermal power, and a large share of the country's electricity comes from steam like this, a clean-energy story you can see from the saddle.
Wildlife and what to do
- Cycling: rent a bike near Elsa Gate and ride the main track to the gorge, passing zebra, giraffe, buffalo, eland, hartebeest and gazelles
- The gorge walk: hike down into Ol Njorowa Gorge with a local guide, scrambling over rocks and past hot springs
- Rock climbing on Fischer's Tower and the cliffs, with an experienced local operator
- Raptors and swifts nesting in the cliffs
- The geothermal spa, for a warm soak after a ride
Large predators are rare in the park, which is why walking and cycling are allowed. Buffalo are present and should always be given a wide berth. The gorge walk takes a few hours with a local guide from the community, who will show you the hot springs, the narrow passages and the safest way down the rock steps. It is a chance to meet local guides who grew up around the park and know its moods.
Best time to visit
Go in the drier months, roughly June to October and January to March. Heavy rain can cause dangerous flash floods in the gorge, and the gorge may be closed during the rains, which usually fall in April and May and around November. Start early in any season: the midday sun is strong and there is little shade on the cycling route.
Getting there and how long to stay
The park is about two hours by road from Nairobi, a few minutes from the shores of Lake Naivasha. Allow half a day for cycling to the gorge and walking through it, or a full day if you add the spa or climbing. Most travelers stay at Naivasha and visit the park on a morning, then take an afternoon boat ride on the lake.
Where it fits on a trip
- With Lake Naivasha: a boat ride and Crescent Island walk the same day or the next
- With Mount Longonot: a crater rim hike nearby for active travelers
- As an active break between Nairobi and the Mara, or before Lake Nakuru
- A good choice for families with teenagers who want to get out and move
Safety and responsible travel
- Hire a registered local guide for the gorge; they know the safe routes and the weather
- Leave the gorge immediately if rain starts, even far away upstream
- Keep a safe distance from buffalo, on foot and on a bike
- Carry water, a hat and sunscreen; wear shoes with good grip
- Fees are set by Kenya Wildlife Service and change; we include them in every quote
Kenya Experience is Kenyan-led, with two U.S. companies behind it, and we pair you with Kenyan guides for the gorge and the ride. Pay in full or monthly with no deposit, and a specialist replies within two business days.
