The famous gate to 'hell'

Numerous activities

Once in Naivasha, the Hell's Gate National Park is located 19 kilometers from the city center on a road that runs parallel to the shores of Lake Naivasha, a high-altitude, freshwater lake with sterling blue waters that host hippos and many other aquatic animals.

For foreign tourists, the entrance fee to the park is $26 for adults and $17 for children.

Once in the park, there are numerous activities visitors can engage in. Just a kilometer from the gate, visitors are met with the majestic Fischer's Tower, a volcanic plug that stands at an impressive 25 meters tall. It was named after German explorer Gustav Fischer, who was trying to find a route from Mombasa to Lake Victoria.

According to Nkaiseri, Maasai folklore states that the tower is a Maasai girl who turned to stone after looking back on her home while on the way to her future husband -contrary to tradition. The location is famous worldwide for rock climbing, walking, hiking, biking, game viewing, bird watching, picnics and camping. The spot has become a popular climbing ground and is particularly suitable for climbing enthusiasts including beginners as all routes on the tower can be completed in one rope length.

The unique ability to freely roam anywhere in the park on foot surrounded by zebras, giraffes and the best of Kenya's plains game in the pristine and unspoiled wilderness is hard to match and that is why Hell's Gate is one of the best hiking spots in the country.

There are several trails in the park to choose from, however, a guide is required and as an expert on the park's landscape, history and wildlife, the guide will only enhance the experience. Good walking shoes, light trousers, binoculars, long sleeves, sunglasses, a hat and plenty of water are a necessity for hikers since the park has little shade and can get very hot.

Carved by a prehistoric lake that once fed the Rift Valley, Hell's Gate's Ol Jorowa Gorge cuts through the park and is one of the many highlights on the walking and cycling trail. Many movie lovers might be aware of the beautiful plains and gorges that feature in the movie The Lion King, but few are aware that they were inspired by the beautiful scenery at Hell's Gate National Park. According to the movie makers, in 1991, some of the film's animators traveled to Hell's Gate National Park in Kenya for research and inspiration for the film.

The park also played host to the movie Tomb Raider 2, which was shot on location in the beautiful gorges, cliffs and rocks which provide the perfect backdrop for many scenes, including the core scenes in the tomb. In the film, Kenya's tribesmen of the Pokot tribe played the role of a mysterious tribe discovered in Africa by the tomb raider Lara Croft. Movie lovers who visit the park can access these locations with the help of a tour guide.