Hell's Gate National Park

Infobox Protected area
name = Hell's Gate National Park
iucn_category = II


caption = Location of Hell's Gate National Park
base_width = 250
locator_x = 95
locator_y = 180
location = Rift Valley Province, Kenya
nearest_city = Nairobi
lat_degrees = 0
lat_minutes = 54
lat_seconds = 57
lat_direction = S
long_degrees = 36
long_minutes = 18
long_seconds = 48
long_direction = E
area = 68.25 km²
established = 1984cite web |url= http://www.kilimanjaro.com/kenya/hellsgat.htm|title=The Hell's Gate National Park |accessdate=2008-06-17 |work= |date=1996]
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
governing_body = Kenya Wildlife Service
world_heritage_site =

Hell's Gate National Park lies south of Lake Naivasha in Kenya, north west of Nairobi. The park itself is 5000 feet above sea level. A small national park, it is known for its wildlife and for its scenery.cite web|url=http://www.kws.org/hells-gate.html
title=Hell's Gate National Park|work=Kenya Wildlife Services|accessdate=2008-06-08] 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.

History

Hell's Gate National Park is named after a narrow break in the cliffs, once a tributary of a prehistoric lake that fed early humans in the Rift Valley.cite news |first=Jim |last=Keeble |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= Kenya: Nature red in tooth and sauce |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/africaandindianocean/kenya/721705/Kenya-Nature-red-in-tooth-and-sauce.html |work=The Telegraph |publisher= |date=2008-05-02 |accessdate=2008-06-13 ] It received the name "Hell's Gate" by explorers Fisher and Thomson in 1883.cite web|url=http://www.webkenya.com/eng/safari/hells_gate.php
title=Safari in Kenya - Hell's Gate National Park|work=Webkenya|accessdate=2008-06-17] In the early 1900s, Mount Longonot erupted, and ash can still be felt around Hell's Gate. The comprehensive Olkaria Geothermal Station, the first of its kind in Africa, was established in 1981 and generates geothermal power underneath Hell's Gate from the area's hot springs and geysers. However, the park was not established until 1984.cite web|url=http://library.thinkquest.org/16645/national_parks/ke_hgnp.shtml
title=The Living Africa: National Parks - Kenya - Hell's Gate National Park|work=library.thinkquest.org
accessdate=2008-06-08]

Geography

Hell's Gate National Park covers an area of 68.25 square km, relatively small by African standards.cite book |last=Hodd |first=Michael |title=East Africa Handbook: The Travel Guide |year=2002 |publisher=Footprint Travel Guides |pages=p.152|isbn=1900949652 ] It is within Nakuru District, near Lake Naivasha and approximately 90 km from Nairobi. The park is located 14 km after the turnoff from the old Nairobi-Naivasha highway, and has a warm and dry climate. Olkaria and Hobley's, two extinct volcanoes located in the park, can be seen as well as obsidian forms from the cool molten lava. Within Hell's Gate is the Hells Gate Gorge, lined with red cliffs which contain two volcanic plugs - Fischer's Tower and Central Tower. Off of Central Tower is a smaller gorge which extends to the south and of which a path decends into hot springs.Hodd, 153.]

Wildlife

There is a wide variety of wildlife in the national park, though many are few in number. Examples of little seen wildlife include lions, leopards, and cheetahs.cite book |last=Trillo |first=Richard |coauthors=Okigbo Ojukwu, Daniel Jacobs, DougPaterson |title=The Rough Guide to Kenya |year=2002 |publisher=Rough Guides |pages=p.243-244|isbn=1858288592 ] However, the park has historically been an important home for the rare lammergeyer eagles. There are over 103 species of birds in the park, including vultures, Verreaux's Eagles, augur buzzard, and swifts. Hyraxes, African buffalo, zebra, eland, hartebeest, Thomson's gazelle, and babboons are also common. The park is also home to serval and small numbers of klipspringer antelope and Chanler's mountain reedbuck.

Tourism

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, one of only two Kenyan national parks where this can be done. Within the park is a Masai Cultural Center providing education about the Maasai tribe's culture and traditions.

The park is equipped with three basic campsites. There are also several lodges around Naivasha Lake, popular among tourists for watersports, bird and game viewing in private ranches and walks along Crescent Island, Crater Lake, and Mt. Longonot.

References

External links

* [http://www.kws.org/hells-gate.html Hell's Gate National Park] Kenya Wildlife Service (official site)
* [http://sea.unep-wcmc.org/wdbpa/sitedetails.cfm?siteid=7506&level=nat World Database on Protected Areas – Hell's Gate]