Hell's Gate National Park

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hell's Gate National Park
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Location of Hell's Gate National Park
Location	Kenya
Nearest city	Nairobi
Coordinates	0°50′″S 36°20′″E / <span class="geo-dec geo" title="Maps, aerial photos, and other data for Expression error: Unexpected / operator Expression error: Unexpected / operator">Expression error: Unexpected / operator, Expression error: Unexpected / operator
Area	68.25 km²
Established	1984
Governing body	Kenya Wildlife Services

Hell's Gate National Park lies south of Lake Naivasha in Kenya, north west of Nairobi. It is known for its wildlife and for its scenery.^[1]

This includes the Fischer's Tower and Central Tower columns and Hell's Gate Gorge. The national park is also home to three geothermal power stations at Olkaria.

1 Geography
2 Description
3 Tourism
4 References
5 See also

[edit] Geography

Hell's Gate National Park covers an area of 68.25 square km, relatively small by African standards.^[2] It is located within Nakuru District, near Lake Naivasha and approximately 90 km from Nairobi.^[1] The park is located 14 km after the turnoff from the old Nairobi-Naivasha highway, and has a warm and dry climate.^[1]

[edit] Description

The park has diverse topography and geological formations. It has historically been an important home for the rare lammergeyer.^[1] Olkaria and Hobley's, two extinct volcanoes located in the park, can be seen as well as obsidian forms from the cool molten lava.^[2]

The park is popular due to its close proximity to Nairobi and lowered park fees compared to other National Parks. Hiking, bicycling, and motorcycling are encouraged within the park.^[2] This is a rarity in Kenyan National Parks, and is only made possible due to the lack of dangerous animals such as lions and elephants, though there is a small number of cheetahs and African Buffalo.

The park is equipped with 3 basic campsites.

[edit] Tourism

Major attractions in the park include rock climbing, game viewing, bird watching, Raptor nesting in cliffs, a gorge walk, and the park's hot springs.^[1]