Cycling Safari at Hell’s Gate National Park
North West of Nairobi, south of Lake Naivasha in Kenya, is Hell’s Gate. Originally a tributary of a historic lake feeding early humans in the Rift Valley, Hell’s Gate National Park is called for a small gap in the cliffs. It came into being in 1984. Renowned for its scenery and great diversity of species, this little national park Under management by the Kenya Wildlife Service, Hell’s Gate National Park spans 68.25 km2 (26.35 sq. mi).
Though the park is approachable and popular with the visitors, despite the scary name, Hell’s Gate National Park is one of the most highlight thing to do in Kenya through cycling safari and great way to spend a day outside in playground. One can reach the park in just a few hours’ drive from Nairobi. One of the few national parks allowing hiking, horseback riding, and cycling is Hell’s Gate National Park. Either you can hire a bike when you get at the entrance or bring your own. Along Murrum Road, the Hell’s entrance gorge lies around 18km from the main entrance. Although early mornings are always chilly, one should pack extra drinking water since around midday it turns heated. Lack of the main predators here, such lions, leopards, Hell’s Gate national park is safe for you to visit without a vehicle and this makes bicycle safari quite special indeed in the park.
Riding on Lake Naivasha will help you to see the flamingos, hippos, and many other bird species, so enabling you to continue with the cycling. If you cycle your bike and hiking safari via Hell’s gate national park on a fully-day, private safari from Nairobi to the wildlife service and Lake Naivasha includes the bikes, entrance fees, and round trip-transports. While seeing a picturesque section of the Great Rift Valley, the tailored safari presents you the uncommon opportunities to see the wildlife outside the safari vehicle. While riding, visiting the Maasai Community, guided hiking tour across the gorges, round trip-transfer from Nairobi, the private safari is run with just your group and a guide.
Shortly after leaving Elsa, you will cross the Fischer’s Tower, the most well-known rock climbing location in Hell’s Gate National Park. The Gorge road, the primary path through the park and a decent model of the surface you will be riding on, will also be passed.
Cost of riding through Hells Gate National Park.
This will rely on your citizenship status; the following is the fee structure.
Park Entrance Fees for Visitors
Citizen- Adult Ksh 300; Citizen-Child/Student Ksh 215; Residential Adult Ksh 600; Residential Child/Student Ksh 300; Non Resident-Adult USD 26; Non Residential Child/Student USD 17
Students have to be able to generate a current student ID below the age of 23.
The cost of hiring a bike from the Elsa Gate comes to Ksh 500. Should you bring a bicycle from outside, cost 215Ksh is imposed. Furthermore noteworthy is the fact that the fees can be paid using an mpesa or card or the bank transfer.Cash is against policies.
Ideal time to cycle in national park Hell’s Gate.
The maximum of 13 hours is allowed everyday for one to cycle through; Hell’s Gate National Park starts daily at 6:00 am and closes at 7:00 pm during which you can cycle to the fullest.
Riding Path.
Usually, one travels the dirt/ gravel Gorge Road across the valley to the Ranger’s Post on the southern side. There is very little vehicle traffic; the surface is occasionally good but can occasionally be somewhat rutted or rough. On the way out, it’s somewhat downhill; on the way back, it’s upward. You should thus reserve some energy and give additional time for the return. You will cross Fischer’s Tower, the most often visited rock climbing spot at Hell’s Gate shortly after exiting Elsa Gate. As you ride, keep a look out for zebra, gazelle, buffalo, and other creatures continuing across the valley.
You will reach pavement about from the gate, and soon after the Ranger’s Post at Hells Canyon Gorge. This is the ideal spot to stop riding and stretch your legs on a hike. You will bike back the trail you used. Another cycling path in Hell’s Gate is the Buffalo Circuit, which allegedly provides higher chances of spotting the giraffes and alternative views.
