East Africa 2012
6 months - with Melanie - Toyota Hiace 4x4 van

Hell's Gate Park

November 9, 2012  —  Kenya
Hell's Gate National Park - Kenya
Fischer's Tower.

This park is named Hell's Gate because of numerous thermal springs in its underground. Indeed, at several places, steam in spurring out of the ground and one has the feeling of being in hell.

Nowadays, the park has changed a lot; most thermal springs are now used for generating electricity and more than half the park is now devastated by the company producing it. There is still a small part of the park that is still very nice.

Hell's Gate National Park - Kenya
Hell's Gate National Park - Kenya
Hell's Gate National Park - Kenya
Hell's Gate National Park - Kenya
I think they are Oryx...
Hell's Gate National Park - Kenya
The valley.
Hell's Gate National Park - Kenya

The most visited site is the gorge. Unfortunately, we haven't been impressed by the area. There were too much trash and old concrete structures that have never been removed. It is unfortunately very African...

A few spots are still quite nice as you can see in the following two photos.

Hell's Gate National Park - Kenya
Hell's Gate National Park - Kenya
Hell's Gate National Park - Kenya
View on the valley.
Hell's Gate National Park - Kenya
Bee-eater.
Hell's Gate National Park - Kenya
Obsidian (volcanic glass).
Hell's Gate National Park - Kenya
Zebras in front of Mount Longonot.
Hell's Gate National Park - Kenya
Ouch!!! What a kick!
Hell's Gate National Park - Kenya
Hell's Gate National Park - Kenya
Hell's Gate National Park - Kenya
Erosion of the road due to lack of maintenance.
line-separator
Hell's Gate National Park - Kenya
Geothermal plant.

This park is still Hell's Gate, in its own way. All this development has spoiled a good part of the landscape.

Hurray for progress!

Hell's Gate National Park - Kenya
Pipeline.
Hell's Gate National Park - Kenya
Steam extraction tower?
Hell's Gate National Park - Kenya
This valve is continuously leaking steam.