Top Reason For a Safari in Hell’s Gate National Park: The Hell’s Gate National Park is situated in Nakuru County, Kenya. Hell’s Gate National Park is a park that lies between Lake Naivasha and the Longonot and Suswa volcanoes. It is covered by ashes from the Longonot eruption which occurred 100 years ago, the park is famous for its geothermal station, Lower Gorge, and spectacular sceneries of towering cliffs, scrub-clad volcanoes, water-gouged gorges, and plumes of geothermal steam. The name Hell’s Gate is derived from the most impressive feature in the park, the Ol Jorowa Gorge, which runs through the middle of the park. The gorge formed the overflow of Lake Naivasha between lower and middle Cambrian times. The Park was gazetted in 1984 and covers 68.25 square kilometers. This National Park is a designated World Heritage Site (UNESCO). Hell’s Gate National Park is named after a narrow break in the cliffs once a tributary of a prehistoric lake in the Rift Valley area. Below is the top reason for a safari in Hell’s Gate National Park as follows;
To hike the Fischer’s Tower
Fischer’s Tower stands tall at 75 feet, a striking rocky structure that earned its name from the German explorer, Gustav Fischer, who first reached it in 1882. This unique formation was created when semi-molten rock pushed its way up through a crack in the earth and then cooled down, turning solid as it rose. The Maasai people have their own fascinating story about how this tower came to be. According to their legend, there was a young girl who was very upset because she was being taken away for marriage. She was told not to look back, as doing so could change her fate. This is an abomination within the Maasai culture as a result of this the girl turned into the Fisher’s Tower which we all see at the Hell’s Gate and this is according to the Masai beliefs.
This tale reminds us of the story from the Bible about Lot and his wife, who were fleeing the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. While Fischer’s Tower may not be as tall as the Central Tower, its surroundings are alive with rock hyraxes, known locally as dassies, which have made their home at the base. It’s also a wonderful spot for a picnic, offering a beautiful setting to enjoy a meal surrounded by nature.
Spot a variety of game animals
Hell’s Gate National Park houses a lot of the wildlife species that are found in the various regions of this small park. While on your Kenya safaris here, expect to encounter fascinating animals such as lions, African buffaloes, hyenas, antelopes, olive baboons, wild dogs, striped hyenas, cheetahs, hartebeest, impalas, servals, mountain reedbuck black-backed jackal, Kirks disk-dik and the steenbok.
Visit two extinct volcanoes
Exploring the two extinct volcanoes, Olkaria and Hobley’s offers a unique glimpse into nature’s history. At these sites, you can find natural steam venting from cracks in the volcanic rock, a fascinating reminder of the earth’s past activity. The landscape is dotted with obsidian, a remarkable black, glass-like rock that forms when molten lava cools rapidly. As for the vegetation, you’ll mainly see wide-open grasslands, interspersed with areas of shrublands that are home to Leleshwa plants and various types of acacia trees. It’s an intriguing spot where geological and botanical wonders come together.
Bird watching
Hell’s Gate National Park is also a habitat for various birdlife species which is over 100 recorded bird species and it was recognized as the breeding spot for the bearded vultures. During your birdwatching tour, you will be able to see various bird species like yellow bishop, Yellow-rumped seedeater, Chin Spot Bastis, White-Rumpled Swift, Yellow-Rumped Seedeater, Golden-Winged Sunbird, Bearded Vulture, Verreaux’s Eagle, Africana Kestrel, Eastern Imperial Eagle and more.
Explore the Olkaria Geothermal Station
The Olkaria II Geothermal Station, often referred to as Olkaria II, is a facility that produces electricity with a total capacity of 105 megawatts. The site is located in the heart of hell’s Gate National Park. Olkaria I Geothermal Power Station is one in a series of six geothermal power stations, clustered in the Olkaria area in Nakuru County. It started its operations in 2003 when the Kenya Electricity Generating Company, commonly known as KENGEN, launched two units that each generate 35 MW.
The plants This is one of the first of its kind on the whole African continent and this power station was established in the year 1981 which involves generating electricity or power from the geothermal power underneath the hell’s gate from the spectacular hot springs and the geysers. While at Olkaria Geothermal Station, visitors can enjoy a special wellness experience, soaking in warm mineral water pools that are perfect for both tourists and locals. It’s a wonderful way to unwind and enjoy nature.
Discover the hidden gem of Obsidian Caves
Obsidian Caves is located close to the Elsa Gate end of the Buffalo Circuit, a side track leads for 2km to the Obsidian Cave. The presence of iron and magnesium in obsidian gives it a rich dark green to black color. When tiny air bubbles form in the rock, they create unique visual effects. These bubbles can produce a beautiful golden shine, which is referred to as Sheen Obsidian. In some cases, they can also reflect light in a way that shows a spectrum of colors, leading to the name Rainbow Obsidian. Entering the cool of the caves, you’ll notice the shiny, black, and dark green surface of obsidian rock. This mesmerizing gleam is the result of molten lava coming into contact with water and cooling rapidly.
Rock climbing
Hell’s Gate National Park is a fascinating place filled with unique rock formations created by volcanic activity. The park features stunning cliffs and Fischer’s Tower structures that attract many visitors. The tower is formed by semi-molten rocks that were forced through a fissure, cooling and solidifying as they extrude. For those who love climbing, this park offers an incredible experience, making it a favorite destination for adventure seekers. People from all over come to explore and enjoy the thrill of climbing in this beautiful natural setting.
