Despite its name, Hell's Gate is an ideal family
getaway for a day trip from Nairobi or stopover en-route
to Lake Nakura or the Masai Mara, located just beyond
Lake Naivasha. Famous for its natural hot geysers,
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 Fischer's Tower,
formerly a volcano's plug, the Central Tower and Njorowa
Gorges. Two extinct volcanos: Olkaria and Hobley'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 includes: 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.