HELLS GATE NATIONAL PARK

From panoramic picnic sites, spectacular scenic views, abundant flora and fauna, towering cliffs, water gouged gorges, rock towers geothermal steams from Olkaria Geothermal I power station located inside the park south-west of Naivasha, the park is a bundle of fun waiting to be explored. Nature trails, picnic sites and two circuits loop around the park offering a variety of scenic sites and wildlife viewing opportunities. There are two walking nature trails at Hobley’s Volcano and the Ol Basta Rock Tower and some scenic picnic sites at Lake View Point, Moibeni, the obsidian caves, Hell’s kitchen and Kapartania View Point.

The park is characterized by diverse topography and geological rock formations. Christened “A walk on the wild side’’ the park allows walking and cycling activities (guided by KWS security on request or by local community guides at a fee) on the sprawling grasslands with well-maintained dust roads. Teeming with hundreds of wild flora and fauna this fact makes it ideal for game drives. Wild animals to see include; Zebra, eland, giraffe, buffalo, serval cat, hartebeest, Thomson’s gazelle, klipspringer, antelope, leopard and so much more. With an incredible record of over 103 bird species, the destination is ideal for bird lovers.

The Mervyns Carnelley Raptor Hide is a unique bird viewing hide that incorporates a one-way window which allows visitors to view and take photos of birds at close proximity. The hide is located above Endachata campsite. Standing at a dizzying 25metres, the Fischer’s Tower is a rugged mass of rock that is a remnant of the ancient volcano named after a German explorer Gustav Fischer who was in the park in 1883. Local Maasai community allege that the rock is a figure of a chief’s daughter who turned around against the dictates of the Maa tradition to take one last look at her home before leaving to be married. The rock offers a great climbing experience.

The Park hosts the OlKaria Geothermal Station and the Geothermal spa all products of power generation projects at Olkaria where Kenya Electricity Generating Company Limited (KenGen) owns and operates four Geothermal Power Plants. The spa is said to be rich in minerals such as sulphur and silica is believed to cure skin diseases and ailments. This is an ideal out of town plot to getaway and indulge in a wild swimming spree.