HELLS GATE NATIONAL PARK

Hell's Gate National Park is named after a narrow break in the cliffs, once a tributary of a prehistoric lake that fed early humans in the Rift Valley. It received the name "Hell's Gate" by explorers Fisher and Thomson in 1883.

Hell's Gate National Park covers an area of 68.25 square kilometres (26 sq mi), relatively small by African standards.The park is at 1,900 metres (6,200 ft) above sea level. It is within Nakuru District, near Lake Naivasha and approximately 90 kilometres (56 mi) from Nairobi.The park is located 14 kilometres (9 mi) after the turnoff from the old Nairobi-Naivasha highway, and has a warm and dry climate.Olkaria and Hobley's, two extinct volcanoes located in the park, can be seen as well as obsidian forms from the cool molten lava.Within Hell's Gate is the Hells Gate Gorge, lined with red cliffs which contain two volcanic plugs: Fischer's Tower and Central Tower. Off of Central Tower is a smaller gorge which extends to the south and of which a path descends into hot springs that at some places you can find rocks that will burn you, also there is a fair amount of sulfur you can feel in the water.

There is a wide variety of wildlife in the national park, though many are few in number.Examples of little seen wildlife include lions, leopards, and cheetahs. However, the park has historically been an important home for the rare lammergeyer vultures.There are over 103 species of birds in the park, including vultures, Verreaux's Eagles, Augur Buzzard, and swifts. Hyraxes,African buffalo, zebra, eland, hartebeest, Thomson's gazelle, hyena, and baboons are also common. The park is also home to serval and small numbers of klipspringer antelope and Chanler's mountain reedbuck.

Access to the park through road is through Naivasha Town at a junction 5km south of Naivasha or by air via the airstip at Naivasha.

The main gates are the;Elsa and Olkaria gates.

Camping facilities are available like the Oldubai campsite, Endchata campsite and the Nairburta campsite.Lots of accommodation are available at Naivasha town.

References Wikipedia and KWS