Animals in Hell's Gate
Zebra, eland, giraffe, buffalo, hartebeest, Thomson's gazelle, klipspringer, serval and leopard are among the mammals of Hell's Gate National Park. The Maasai giraffe and the rock hyrax live here too. The cliffs are nesting ground for Rüppell's vultures.
These animals live here, but that is no promise of what you will see. Good chances are zebras, giraffes and buffalo on the open plains, but a visit can also be quiet. The park is not predator-free: leopards live here, even if they are rarely seen. Do not walk or cycle into thick bush as if the park were safe from big animals. If you want to see the park on a guided trip, look at the Hell's Gate day trips from Nairobi.
Mammals and birds of the park
What lives in the park, with notes on watching.
| Animal | Where to look | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Zebra | Open plains below the cliffs | Often seen grazing on the plain |
| Giraffe | Acacia bush on the savanna | The Maasai giraffe lives here |
| Buffalo | Grassland near the cliffs | Keep your distance; do not approach |
| Thomson's gazelle, hartebeest, eland | Grassy areas | Often shy and easy to disturb |
| Klipspringer and rock hyrax | Rocky slopes and cliff bases | Look at the rocks, not the plain |
| Serval and leopard | Rarely seen, mostly out of sight | Do not plan around them |
| Rüppell's vulture | Cliffs | Nests on the cliff walls |
For most visitors, the open plains are the place to start looking for zebras, giraffes and buffalo. Bring binoculars for animals that stay at a distance.
Our pick: a safari with a game drive in the park
A two-day trip with a game drive in Hell's Gate on day one, which gives you time for the zebras and giraffes. Sightings are never guaranteed.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Hell's Gate tours with wildlife
Guided day trips from Nairobi and Naivasha that include the park and its animals, with live prices and availability.
Vultures and birds
The cliffs of Hell's Gate matter for Rüppell's vultures, which nest on the rock walls. Watch them from a distance and do not disturb the nests. Climbers should ask the rangers whether any cliff is avoided. The page on rock climbing at Hell's Gate has the details.
The park has well over 100 bird species. Lammergeier, Egyptian vulture and Verreaux's eagle are recorded here, but not all of them are regularly seen today, so treat them as a bonus. Bring a bird guide and look up at the cliffs.
Rules for watching wildlife
These rules apply to everyone in the park, including cyclists.
Keep 20 m away
Stay at least 20 m from wildlife. Do not feed, chase or startle animals. Buffalo and giraffes can feel crowded sooner than you expect, so stop early.
Stay on roads and paths
Off-road driving is banned and the speed limit is 40 km/h. Walking and cycling are allowed in the approved areas only, so follow the tracks and the rangers' instructions.
Leave nothing behind
Single-use plastic is banned. Take your waste with you and do not leave a fire unattended in camp.
Ranger escort
A Kenya Wildlife Service ranger escort costs KES 2,000 per ranger for up to 4 hours and KES 4,000 for longer, with at least 2 rangers. It is a separate service from a guide.
Warthogs and other everyday sightings
Warthogs live in the park too, and you may see them with piglets in the grass. They are small, but they can charge if cornered. Give them the same room you give larger animals.
Wildlife is easiest to see in the early morning, when it is cooler and quiet. The park gates open at 6 a.m. and close at 6 p.m., with an exception for overnight guests. If you camp, see the guide to camping in Hell's Gate.
Where the animals live: plains, cliffs and gorge
Three habitats in a small park.
The open plains
Grazing animals such as zebra, buffalo and gazelles use the grassland below the cliffs. This is where most visitors see wildlife, and where cyclists share the tracks with it.
The cliffs
Rock walls give nesting sites to Rüppell's vultures and homes to klipspringer and rock hyrax. See the Fischer's Tower guide for the main rocks.
The gorge
The gorge has its own rules and flood risk. Do not enter it after heavy rain, even if the sky above you is clear. Access and guides are covered in the gorge guide.
Size of the park
The park covers 68.25 km² and was gazetted in 1984. It lies south of Lake Naivasha in Nakuru County. Hippos are on the lake, not here.
More from Hell's Gate
Ways to see the animals and the landscape.
Cycling in Hell's Gate
Ride among the animals on marked tracks.
Rock climbing
Crags, gear and the nesting cliffs.
Camping in Hell's Gate
Campsites, fees and what to bring.
For a longer safari with more big game, see wildlife in the Masai Mara or wildlife at Lake Nakuru.
Animals in Hell's Gate: frequently asked questions
Which animals can you see at Hell's Gate?
Zebra, giraffe, buffalo, eland, hartebeest, Thomson's gazelle, klipspringer, serval and leopard live in the park. Zebras, giraffes and buffalo are the likeliest sightings. No sighting is guaranteed.
Are there predators in Hell's Gate?
Leopards live in the park but are rarely seen. Do not expect to see big cats, and do not treat the park as predator-free.
Can I cycle among the animals?
Yes, on the park's tracks. Keep 20 m away from wildlife, do not approach buffalo or giraffes and follow the rangers' instructions.
Are there vultures in Hell's Gate?
Rüppell's vultures nest on the cliffs. Watch them from a distance and do not disturb them.
How many animals live in the park?
Animal numbers change over the years, so plan for chances, not counts.