Hell’s Gate National Park is a remarkable quarter of the Great Rift Valley. Spectacular scenery including the towering cliffs, water-gouged gorges, stark rock towers, scrub clad volcanoes and belching plumes of geothermal steam make it one of the most atmospheric Parks in Africa. Hell’s Gate is an ideal venue for a day trip from Nairobi where, in addition to the bio-diversity that includes raptors, visitors can enjoy mountain biking, rock climbing and a natural spa.
Begin with 7am pickup in Nairobi, then travel to Lake Naivasha and Hell’s Gate National Park, with a break to get views of the Great Rift Valley from a scenic overlook along the way. Upon arriving in the park at roughly 9am, begin a 2-hour, guided bike tour: watch for herds of Thompson’s gazelle, eland, zebra, and hartebeest as you ride. Keep an eye on the sky throughout the tour, as Hell’s Gate National Park is home to more than 100 species of birds, including Verreaux’s eagles, augur buzzards, vulture, and swifts. Continue on foot into the park’s distinctive gorges, where narrow passageways and caves are sunk into sedimentary rock. After a 1-hour walk, stop by a local Maasai stop by a local Maasai community to learn about traditional life and customs in the Great Rift Valley, then head to Naivasha Fisherman’s camp for lunch (own expense). For an additional fee of $20 per person, you can explore Lake Naivasha wildlife on a 1-hour boat tour. Spot the hippos that linger just at the surface of the water, and see some of the diverse birdlife; African fish eagles, lesser flamingos, African spoonbill, and little grebe are all common here. At 4pm, begin the return trip to Nairobi, and finish the day with drop-off in Nairobi at roughly 6pm.