Hell’s Gate National Park covers 68 sq km of Rift Valley floor near Lake Naivasha and is one of Kenya’s most accessible adventure parks. Without lions, leopards or elephants on the open plains, it is one of the few KWS parks where you can cycle and walk freely among wildlife. Towering red volcanic cliffs frame the park’s eastern boundary, while Fischer’s Tower, a 25m volcanic plug, rises spectacularly near the entrance. Both inspired the dramatic landscapes of Disney’s ‘The Lion King’ and were used in the live-action ‘Tomb Raider II.’ Cycling from Elsa Gate, you’ll pass herds of zebra, Thomson’s gazelle, Masai giraffe, hartebeest, and buffalo en route to the Ol Njorowa Gorge, the geothermal heart of the park. A KWS ranger guides hikers down into the gorge past hot springs and steam vents. The park is home to over 100 bird species, including the rare lammergeier vulture nesting on the cliffs. Olkaria geothermal plant within the park boundaries generates renewable power, and the steam spa fed by it is one of Africa’s most unusual swim experiences. Hell’s Gate combines beautifully with a Lake Naivasha boat trip and Crescent Island walking safari for an ambitious full-day Rift Valley adventure from Nairobi.