Bicycle safari tour in Hell’s Gate National Park : Hell’s Gate National Park is one of the few game parks in Kenya that may be explored without a vehicle, Hell’s Gate is unique in that it lacks predators. A hotspot for geothermal activity, Hell’s Gate is situated between two tectonic plates in the Great Rift Valley, outside of Naivasha. This contributes to the meaning of the name Hell’s Gate. Hell’s Gate offers incredibly surreal views, as park guides like to remind visitors with their congenial “Welcome to Hell” greetings. As boiling steam spouts emerge from beneath the surface, towers of hardened lava dot the landscape.

You may get up close and personal with this diversity of sceneries in Hell’s Gate National Park, where wildlife coexists quietly with the landscape.

Opening Hours

Opening hours for Hell’s Gate National Park are 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM. This implies that you have to leave the park before it closes, unless you intend to camp there. To avoid incurring extra costs, be sure to confirm your return date with the bike rental business, if you are renting a bike to ride at Hell’s Gate National Park. For customers who intend to camp inside the park, the majority of vendors are accommodating.

Biking routes in Hell’s Gate National Park

Hell’s Gate National Park has two well-liked cycling routes: the Twiga Circuit (9km) and the Buffalo Circuit (14km). Both routes start with the Elsa Gate. Each route has a distinctive areas of interest, and there’s a good chance of seeing animals along the way.

Where to find Bikes for hire at Hell’s Gate National Park

To get a bike for Hell’s Gate National Park, there are two primary choices. One of the places to find a bike is at the Elsa Gate entry to Hell’s Gate National Park. Another option is to bring a bike that you rented from the town of Naivasha or from your campground and ride it into the park. It should be noted that Hell’s Gate charges an extra KSH 215 ($1.75 USD) for bikes brought in from the outside of the park. Only MPESA cards can be used to make payments.

Depending on where you hire your bike, prices will vary, but in general, daily bike rentals shouldn’t exceed Ksh 800 . You may be able to reduce your rental costs to Ksh 400– Ksh 500 each day if you bargain. Be aware that you will need to pay for a two-day bike rental if you intend to camp in Hell’s Gate.

What is the safety precautions for Biking in Hell’s Gate National Park

Riding a bicycle through Hell’s Gate National Park is entirely safe because there are no active predators there. But you will be able to see giraffes, antelopes, buffalo, zebras, and gazelles. Even though Hell’s Gate lacks natural predators, you will come across wild animals—even if they are far away. Please be mindful that you are in their house and show consideration for their surroundings and personal space.

What to see in Hell’s Gate National Park

The first portion of the two main circuits at Hell’s Gate National Park is somewhat downhill, so be sure to mentally and physically prepare for the last ascent. If this scares you, rest assured that occasionally walking your bike is very OK!

Fischer’s Tower

Fischer’s Tower is a must-see attraction for anybody visiting Hell’s Gate. Millions of years ago, molten rock shot through a fracture in the ground to construct this massive edifice. The finished product is impressive; the tower greets guests to Hell’s Gate and towers over the plains. According to Maasai folklore, the tower was once a young lady from the area who was turned to stone for going back before her wedding.

Central Tower

The Central Tower, sometimes called Embata, is significantly taller than its twin Fishers Tower, having been formed using the same procedure. Although the Central Tower is hidden farther inside the park, it is visible from the Ol Njorowa Gorge entrance and rises sharply above the savannah.

The Obsidian Caves

These glistening caves got their appearance from the molten lava that was rapidly cemented by flowing water. Because of the high concentration of iron and magnesium, the colour of the rocks varies, ranging from sandy orange to forest green. Even though there isn’t much to explore, this is a pleasant place to stop and unwind on your way into or out of the park.

Ol Njorowa

At Ol Njorowa’s entrance, there are lots of guides for hiring, and there are three distinct routes to choose from: the short (about 30 minutes), medium (approximately 1 hour), and long (approximately 2 hours). The $14 guide fee can be paid at the location. Although it is not permitted to ride bikes into the canyon, there is plenty of room to store your bike at the entrance, where you may start your walk.

Hobley Volcano Trail

Visitors can go up to the rim and see into the volcanic crater, where vents shoot steam kilometres below the surface, to see the remnants of a once-active volcano. It is recommended to hike the 0.5km to the peak of Hobley’s Volcano Trail instead of riding your bike all the way up the road to the rim of the volcano. You may take a stroll around the rim there, which makes it the ideal location for a picnic!

Bicycle safari tour in Hell’s Gate National Park
Bicycle safari tour in Hell’s Gate National Park

Hells kitchen

It looks like something from a prehistoric movie, this series of steam vents coming out of brilliant orange rock. This location, which lies on the far western edge of Hell’s Gate National Park, is definitely doable by bicycle, but I would only suggest it to very experienced cyclists. The road here is exceedingly uneven and the climb is pretty steep. It’s vital to remember that you must go via the Olkaria Geothermal Plant in order to reach this location. This is acceptable, of course, but don’t be shocked if the gorgeous natural scenery gives way to a huge geothermal plant.

Olkaria Geothermal Spa

After riding through Hell’s Gate National Park, this geothermal spa is the ideal place to unwind. The Olkaria Geothermal Spa is rich in minerals and excellent for skin care. It has the same milky-blue water as Iceland’s well-known Blue Lagoon. Before cycling back to the park’s entrance, stop by for a soak to help with your bones. Olkaria Geothermal Spa entrance fees for 2024 are as follows: Citizens: KSH 100 for children, KSH 400 for adults Adult residents pay KSH 1000, while children pay KSH 500. Adults are $18 and children are $8.50 for non-residents. The Olkaria Geothermal Spa is closed at 6 PM, which is one hour before the park’s official closing time. Please take note.

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