Last week, I embarked on a camping trip just outside of Nairobi, eager to revisit Hells Gate and Mount Longonot National Parks. Having enjoyed these locations during school trips, I was excited to explore them further. This post covers the first part of the adventure, with the second part coming next week, so keep an eye out!
The Journey
Skateboarding and Discovering
The drive to the parks was quite relaxed, and we took the opportunity to scout out some potential skate spots. One location was a familiar spot, however, the second location, previously unknown to me, was unfortunately chip-sealed. This was disappointing because the road had all the elements for a fantastic skate session: remote, a variety of corners, and a decent incline. It would have been ideal for a full day of runs, but that was not to be. There weren’t any other suitable skating areas, so that part of the trip was quickly wrapped up.
Camping Experience
We camped at Fisherman’s Camp. While it offered nice showers, a bar, and a restaurant, the cost was on the higher side. For the same price, we could have booked an Airbnb with comfortable beds. Unless you have your own tent and are fully committed to the camping experience, I wouldn’t highly recommend it. However, it was still a pleasant enough stay, with various activities to engage in.
Hells Gate National Park Exploration
The next day, we headed to Hells Gate National Park. This is a unique park where the animals are accustomed to people, allowing for cycling and walking exploration. The park is home to buffalos, zebras, leopards, warthogs, and impalas. While cycling is confined to the main track, walking allows you to venture off and explore further. I am particularly interested in going back to explore the cliffs and potentially see more wildlife.
Hells Gate also offers various activities like rock climbing and swimming in a geothermal pool. A full list of these can be found on the Hells Gate website.
Walking through Hells Gate National Park
The park’s main track stretches 8km to a gorge carved by a river over time. This gorge is a must-see, with interesting trails and viewpoints. You should dedicate a few hours to fully explore this area. A guide is required for exploring the gorge, costing 2000ksh (approximately $20), which isn’t mentioned on their website. A fun fact is that Tomb Raider 2 was filmed there, so you can walk in Lara Croft’s footsteps.
Climbing Mount Longonot
Mount Longonot is a 2km ‘mountain’ that you can climb and descend in a single day. The 3km trek from the gate becomes increasingly challenging as you approach the crater, featuring steep and mellow sections that will test your endurance. It’s dusty and hot, so it’s essential to bring water, sunscreen, and a hat, and be prepared to get dirty. Not having hats was a mistake, the African sun can be intense.
Upon reaching the crater, you discover that more hiking is an option. The crater is approximately 7.1km long and has similar terrain to the ascent. I was keen on going around it, but time constraints, my friends’ lack of enthusiasm, and the potential of encountering buffalos prevented that from happening. The crater hike takes about two hours.
I started exploring the crater rim, but turned back earlier than planned because the vegetation became too dense. I got uneasy not being able to see my surroundings, fearing a buffalo encounter. I did not want to become another cautionary tale, so I decided to head back.
Wrapping Up
Kenya offers many exciting adventures, and I plan to go on more hiking excursions. It’s something I’ve enjoyed in the past and should invest more time in, as Kenya has a lot to offer in this regard. This trip to Hells Gate and Mount Longonot has only fueled my desire to explore more of what Kenya has to offer.
