Discover Hell’s Gate National Park, Kenya – a dramatic landscape of towering cliffs, deep gorges and ancient volcanic formations.
Kenya
Deep gorges twist and turn, cutting into rock that witnessed humanity take its first steps. Extinct volcanoes, though still standing tall against the African sky, have been whittled down by the passing of time. The sense of timelessness is heightened by the acrid smell of sulphur piercing the air – hot, bubbling springs finally giving up age-old gases.
As one of Africa’s smallest national parks, Hell’s Gate harks back to the prehistoric. Measuring just 26 square miles, visitors can experience an area of profound geological interest and immerse themselves in the distant past.
Guests at Loldia House can visit Hell’s Gate on a day trip. They’ll be accompanied on a walk by one of our resident naturalists, learning not only about the area’s special geological features but also its captivating wildlife.
Hell’s Gate National Park is famed for its striking geology. Gorge snake through the park’s centre, a tributary to an ancient lake that once existed. Visitors can explore the curving walls of the gorge with a guide and experience the aptly-named sections – the devil’s sitting room, Hell’s clinic, and the devil’s mouth. There are several small waterfalls, both cold and hot, as well as stunning, multi-coloured rock strata and formations. You might even recognise some of the locations – they’ve been included in productions such as Tomb Raider: Cradle of Life and inspired others such as The Lion King.
The park’s dramatic scenery inspired the animators of The Lion King, with several viewpoints believed to have influenced the design of Pride Rock. As you explore the park, you’ll recognise familiar silhouettes, sweeping rock formations and wide savannah plains that bring this cinematic landscape to life.
At 25 metres tall, Fischer Tower is a remnant of the park’s volcanic history. This craggy behemoth was formed when semi-molten rock was forced through a fissure and solidified around 35 million years ago. Accompanied by a guide, visitors can climb the tower and gaze over the surrounding area – a view that has changed little in a very long time.
Another vestige of volcanic activity is the obsidian caves, located along the Buffalo Circuit (a 14km track around the eastern part of the park). Entering the cool of the caves, you’ll notice the shiny, black and dark green surface of obsidian rock. This mesmerising gleam is the result of molten lava coming into contact with water and cooling rapidly.
While the park’s geology is the main attraction, Hell’s Gate National Park’s animals offer a different perspective from the Masai Mara. Expect to encounter zebra, eland, hartebeest, buffalo, baboons and a remarkable diversity of birdlife, including raptors that circle the cliffs. Of particular note are the Verreaux’s eagles which can be found nesting in the high cliffs and rocky outcrops. Because predators are rare here, it’s one of the few national parks in Kenya where walking and cycling are permitted, making wildlife viewing feel wonderfully immersive.
After your day at Hell’s Gate National Park, return to the comfort of Loldia House with a deeper understanding of Kenya’s natural history and a renewed appreciation for the diversity of landscapes that make this region so extraordinary.
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