Cycling is a great way of understanding and interacting with nature and one of the best places to do this in Kenya is Hells Gate National Park.
In this article, Im going to give you a complete guide on all you need to know about renting a bicycle at Hell’s Gate National Park in Kenya plus a few tips and tricks to avoid any challenges.
Hells Gate National Park is a park located between Mt. Suswa and Mt. Longonot to the North West of Nairobi. The park sits on an area of 68.25 km². The park was named by explorers Fisher and Thompson after a narrow break in the cliffs, a tribute to a prehistoric lake that fed early human beings . This is a possible derivation of the Dutch Phrase Hellegat , meaning ‘Clear opening’.
Interesting Fact: The park was an inspiration to the movie Lion King.
Opened in 1984,the park is home to beautiful views and wildlife and the famous Lammergeyer(bearded vulture) and what better way to see this beauty than on 2 wheels ?
What to know about bike renting
Below are a few things you should know about renting out a bike at the Hell’s Gate National Park.
Its safe to use a bike at Hell’s Gate.
The park is generally safe to cycle in all year round as animals of prey are hard to come by.
The road used on the cycling path is rough all year round hence no worry about cycle tracks.
Check the bike before you accept it.
While bikes are available for hire at Hell’s Gate, I found online reviews that pointed to a problem with the bikes. They are not well maintained and people would sometimes rent out a defective bike. For this reason, I would advise that you check if the bicycle is in good working order before renting it out. .
Bring your own bike if you can
Should you opt out of hiring the park-provided bicycles, one can still cycle through the park using your own bike or one hired from outside the park. Most camping sites around the park have their own bicycles for rent which could be of better condition so you can check those out.
Price
How much you pay to enter Hell’s gate will depend on whether you are a citizen or not. Here is the fee schedule
| Visitor Bio | Park Entry Fees |
| Citizen – Adult | KSh. 300 |
| Citizen Child/Student | KSh. 215 |
| Resident -Adult | KSh. 600 |
| Resident – Child/Student | KSh. 300 |
| Non Resident – Adult | USD $26 |
| Non Resident – Child/Student | USD $17 |
Source: KWS Website
Students must be able to produce a valid Student ID and be below the age of 23.
In addition to that, hiring a bicycle by the ElsaGate costs you Ksh 500. In the event you bring a bicycle from outside, a fee of 215Ksh is charged.
The document shows the prices of taking a tour to the national park.KWS Fees
It is also important to note that the fees can be made via bank transfer,mpesa or card. Cash is NOT allowed.
Max time on Bike
The park opens daily at 6:00 am and closes by 7:00pm during which you can cycle to your heart’s content. Hence a maximum of 13 hours is allowed daily for one to cycle through.
Should you decide to take on camping and biking within the park, then you would be allowed to stay with the bike through the night.
Age restrictions?
There are no age restrictions for one to cycle into the park. However,going by the size of the bicycles that are available for hire at the Elsa gate (mostly between17 and 22 inches), I would say that kids from the age of 15 can cycle into the park at ease
Best Time of the Year to Ride at Hell’s Gate NP
Though the terrain remains the same all year round, it is advisable to visit the park between the months of June and Late February. This is because this period experiences little to no rainfall and sunny temperatures which offer the best cycling experience.
During this time the grass is short and animals congregate around water sources making them easy to spot.
Solo cycling or group?
While solo cycling is a definite option given that you get a tour guide, I would suggest it is better to go cycling with a group.
You will need to pay extra to get a tour guide though. (This is usually negotiated with the individual guide)
The guide will charge you the same whether you are in a group or travelling solo. In addition , being in a group might be more enjoyable ( in my opinion)
Trek or cycle
While trekking the trail may be a plausible option, if in a position it would be better to cycle. In this way, you would be able to cover a large part of the park and have a view of the whole park at different times within a shorter period.
The possibility of even covering the whole area is higher!
Scenic Views at Hell’s Gate
The Fishers Tower
A meter tower formed by semi-molten rock forced to a fissure. It is located nearest to the entrance
Central Tower
Also called”Embata” It was formed by the same process as the Fischer’s tower but is bigger.
OlNjorowa Gorge
It is located on the main road and is the park’s main attraction. It is made up of walls that are eroded by water and so narrow each other they block out the sky. It also contains hot and cold waterfalls, hot water springs and colorful rock strata.
I have walked at this gorge multiple times and it’s a wonderful sight. You will not be able to ride your bike here since there are a few sections that are either too narrow or steep for a bike to use.
The gorge is popular as it gave inspiration to production of the film Mountains of the Moon and King Solomon’s Mines.
Obsidian Caves
These caves were formed as a result of rapid cooling of molten lava in contact with water while being poured into a lake. This resulted to the glassy texture of the rock. The presence of iron and magnesium give the rock a dark green color.
It is a perfect space for picnics
OlKaria Geothermal Plant
This a geothermal power station which provides up to 25% of the country’s electricity. It exploits super-heated steam locked 1500 metres below the surface.
Olook Karia Maasai Cultural Centre
This a centre where you can experience the Maasai culture as they sing,fight, dance and make ornaments.
Wildlife
There are no predators in Hells Gate National park. This allows toruists to take walking and riding Safaris Inside the park. However, the park is home to a variety of animals including:
- giraffe,
- eland,
- buffalo,
- zebras,,
- small gazelles
- antelopes.
Viewing this uniquely beautiful park by cycling gives you the opportunity to visit most of the park without having to walk for miles.
What Paths Should You take when cycling at the Hells Gate National Park?
There are two paths to take around the park:
The cycle track approaches the Fisher Tower from the Elsa gate past which track separates
Buffalo track
At the tower yn left to go to the Central Tower which is a two hours circuit which offers a lovely view of the Kedong Valley,Naivasha lake and Longonot volcano.
Twiga circuit (giraffe)
This like the buffalo track also on your left approach the Central Tower but through the min road and is a shorter route.
What to carry to the park
It is highly important to pack up some few things before going on the cyclists encounter to ensure that your experience is the best it could be.
Here’s a list of things i would advise you bring with you:
- Identification documents
- Loose cash -to get purchase required supplies.
- Food/snacks : there is no place in which you can purchase food inside the park hence you should carry your own
- Water
- Light sweater – the place gets a bit chilly as evening approaches hence it would be best to have something to keep you warm.
Conclusion
The Hell’s Gate National Park is a great haven for peace and tranquility where you would get to see and even interact with the animals outside the confines of a closed window vehicle. Getting to travel the park whipped a bicycle would offer a once in a lifetime opportunity to explore the beauty and watch wildlife
A Final Word
As you prepare for your trip to Africa, I would like to recommend a few products that would help make your life easier.
- Shoes: I recommend that you check the Keen Hiking shoes. I have written an extensive article on the best shoes for an African safari and this shoe checks all the boxes for things you should look for when choosing a shoe for Africa. (Check out the Keen Hiking Shoes on Amazon)
- Camera: If you are not big on photography, I would not advise you to buy a brand new camera for your African Adventure. Good cameras can be expensive and buying a camera you will not use is not a good use of your limited budget. I advise that you rent a camera instead and Lens Rentals have a great Safari Camera Kit perfect for someone traveling to Africa. If you are thinking of getting into photography, then you can invest in a new camera but before you do, check out my pick for the best Safari Camera for a Beginner like Me
- Information About Africa: I have created a YouTube channel that focuses on things about traveling to Africa that only Africans can tell you about. Check out the channel for insights about African culture and things you can do as a traveler to optimize your trip. You should also visit TripAdvisor forum posts (Here is the Kenya Forum) and ask questions about your particular situation. There are a lot of people who are happy to help you out.
- Choosing a Safari Company: I have written an extensive article on how to choose a safari Company. You can. Check it out before starting the process of searching for a safari company.
- Consulting Session: If you have any questions you would like to ask me about Kenya, I would invite you to contact me for a 30-minute consultation session where I will share my knowledge about East Africa and share experiences that will help you make your trip easier. Reach out to me on email – antonynjoro@gmail.com
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