I must admit, when our guide informed us of our next day's optional excursion, I wasn't the most enthusiastic; cycling through a National Park was not exactly one of my top ten, not even close. I had visions of being trampled by buffalo, stalked by lions, or, given the extreme humidity and daytime temperatures, falling prey to one of the thousands of vultures who call Hell's Gate National Park their home. But our guide assured me that it would be fun, and more importantly, not too hilly, so I thought, why not? I'm usually up for trying just about anything once.
So after a quick breakfast, we left our camp and drove the few kilometres down the road where we met our Hells Gate Kenya guide, were sized and paired up with our bikes, and off we set on our approx. 8-kilometre cycle to the Ranger's post (also the starting point of our trek down into the Gorge).
Our first stop was Fischer's Tower, an ancient volcano (named after Gustav Fischer back in 1883), standing 25 metres tall, now a very popular climbing spot. According to Maasai tradition, our guide explained that the rock is a figure of a petrified Masai girl who was turned to stone after disobeying her family before her wedding!
After we had caught our breath (with no willing participants to try their hand at some rock-climbing), we continued our cycle through the park. We eventually arrived at the Ranger's post, where we enjoyed some much-needed ice-cold refreshments with the view of Central Tower in the distance before we started our descent into the Ol Njorowa Gorge. The first section is a bit tricky to navigate, with slippery rocks and such, so you have to mind your step and take it slowly (also not the best place to be in the wet season due to flash floods...which our guide very kindly told us at the deepest point on our hike!!). On our approximate two hour walk down in the gorge, we saw the most amazing scenery whilst zig-zagging through the corridors, including steaming hot water springs, unique rock formations, and even finding some natural pumice stones. I soon realised why it was the chosen location for some of the scenes from the movie Tomb Raider.
Exhaustively we started our ascent out of the gorge, hopped back onto our bicycles, and slowly made our way back to the Park entrance. With fresh air in our lungs, sun-kissed skin, we were all quite chuffed we had done it. All in all, a fantastic day out and a highly recommended experience!
Hells Gate Kenya by the team at Uyaphi.com, click here for more Kenya Safari adventures.
Mara Toto Camp
Mara Toto Camp on the banks of the Ntiakitiak River within a thick forest is a small and intimate option in the heart of the Masai Mara National Park.
The wildlife and birdlife in this area are spectacular, with the annual migration being the highlight.
Naboisho Camp
Naboisho Camp is located within the Mara Naboisho Conservancy that borders Kenya's famed Masai Mara, a conservancy that offers up one of the highest concentrations of lions and cheetahs (including other species of wildlife) in the whole of Africa.
Samburu Intrepids Camp
Samburu Intrepids Camp with 30 tented rooms is located 345 kilometres north of Nairobi, each tent sits on a raised deck overlooking the river where the elephants make an appearance or the crocodiles come out onto the river's banks.
Porini Amboseli Camp
Amboseli Porini Camp and her 10 rustic and authentic tented suites are located in the Selenkay Conservancy, which lies a few miles north of Amboseli National Park.
Excellent guiding, fantastic wildlife sightings and an authentic safari camp experience awaits at Amboseli Porini Camp.
Taita Hills Game Lodge
Taita Hills Game Lodge offers a truly exclusive bush experience, being situated in the heart of the Taita Hills Sanctuary, a private conservancy of 28,000 acres at the foot of the Taita Hills and adjacent to Tsavo West National Park.
A more budget-friendly option in the Tsavo West one cannot find.
Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp
A quintessential classic safari experience awaits all guests when staying at AndBeyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp, with sweeping views out across the surrounding plains and the Sabaringo River.
A fantastic option for single travellers, couples, families and small groups.
Palacina Hotel
Palacina hotel in Nairobi is ideally located within easy access to downtown Nairobi and is surrounded in the tranquil gardens of the State House Valley, the ideal venue for those who wish to be centrally located but away from the noise of Nairobi.
Looking for the utmost in luxury, then the Palacina is one of the top hotels in Nairobi to consider.
Finch Hattons
Finch Hattons camp is one man's dream to create the ideal African getaway, offering guests a unique opportunity to relive the golden era of the safari in absolute elegance.
Finch Hattons surrounded by the spectacle of the great African wilderness of the Tsavo West National Park, game drives are exceptional.