Hell's Gate

A couple weekends ago some friends and I travelled to Hell’s Gate in Naivasha. This National Park is unlike any other in Kenya—they don’t tell you where you should go, you don’t get guided around in vehicles, and everywhere is fair game to explore. It ended up being the most liberating experience. For instance, at the beginning of our journey we were walking along trying to find our way and came upon a giraffe. We got startlingly close, and the giraffe was totally cool with us invading its personal space. I’ve had some, ermm…, ‘personal’ encounters with giraffes at the giraffe center, but it was so unique and exciting to interact without a car or fence separating us.

We eventually found the famous Hell’s Gate Gorge. Carved out by a river and still a source of hot springs today, this was a mind-blowing site. Hiking through the gorge transported me to another time. I felt the path that the river ran while shaping the gorge shape me, too. Everything was so peaceful and simple at Hell’s Gate, it was the perfect break from the busy hustle and bustle of Nairobi life.