Description

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.

In the early 1900s, Mount Longonot erupted, and ash can still be felt around Hell's Gate. The comprehensive Olkaria Geothermal Station, the first of its kind in Africa, was established in 1981 and generates geothermal power underneath Hell's Gate from the area's hot springs and geysers.The park was officially established in 1984.

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 County near Lake Naivasha and approximately 90 kilometres (56 mi) from.  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 Buffallo , Zebra, Eland, Hartebeest, Thomson's Gazelle, Hyena and serval and baboons are also common.

Rules & Regulations

Respect the privacy of the wildlife, this is their habitat. Beware of the animals, they are wild and can be unpredictable. Don't crowd the animals or make sudden noises or movements. Don't feed the animals, it upsets

Wildlife & Birds

Title	Conservation Status
African lion	Vulnerable
Cheetah	Vulnerable
Leopard	Vulnerable
Swifts	Least Concern
Spotted Hyena	Least Concern
African buffalo	Least Concern
Thomson s gazelles	Near Threatened
Hartebeest	Least Concern
Olive baboon	Least Concern
The rock hyrax	Least Concern
Yellow baboon	Least Concern
Grévy's zebra	Endangered

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