Hell’s Gate: Popular park that could well be living by its name

Fischers Tower stands stoically in the middle of Hells Gate National Park. It is one of the main attractions for tourist visiting the park.

What you need to know:

  • Accidents in recent months have led some to suggest a change of identity

The park is attracting hordes of local and international tourists from all walks of life, its scary name—Hells Gate National Park—notwithstanding.

Once reverberating with the crash of missile fire when it was used as a World War 11 artillery training ground, the park has now become a big tourist destination attracting all and sundry.

The beautiful sceneries are a sight to behold for holiday makers who love site seeing while a climb to the towering cliffs is a breathtaking session. Voyagers and nature lovers are allowed a free walk in this game sanctuary.

The camping is not complete without one getting a glimpse of the obsidian rocks illuminating rainbow rays, with the glittering mid-day sun shining high.

What about the endless gorge that the park derives its name from. The gorge baffles and awes explorers and it is said to resemble ‘hell’ hence the name Hell’s gate. The attractive sites are unlimited.

A number of wild animals dot the park which is home to the rare Klipspringer of the antelope family. Other species that are a joy to watch include the fastest bird on earth, the ostrich, waterbuck, Impala Gazelle the African Buffalo and warthogs. The list is endless.

Wild animals

And the natural attraction inside the park is not limited to wild animals. The famous Fischer’s tower that stands stoically in the middle of the park and the belching plumes of geothermal steams stand out.

Visitors have ample time to while their day in designated places enjoying the cool evening breeze and listening to the various species of birds cooing their popular tunes in unison, as the sun sets in the horizon.

A rock climbing session is an irresistible allure especially for students and pupils.

Here, one needs nerves of steel as he or she goes through a delicate balancing act to scale to the highest peak. This is a rare feat for many and those who manage to do so win a round of applause from the expectant watchers.

The spectators watching the movie like antics hold their breath in awe fearing for the worst. However, those who refuse to climb the rock are taunted as weak and at times jeered by their playmates.

It’s perhaps with this in mind that students of the Braeburn School in Nairobi who were visiting the park on Tuesday decided to try their hand in rock climbing.

Among those in the group included Joy Muthoni a granddaughter to President Mwai Kibaki, who unfortunately got injured in the process.

Those privy to the episode say the teenager might have panicked. She was rushed to a local hospital before being flown to Nairobi for specialised treatment.

As a precautionary measure, those intent on trying the daredevil act have a rope tightened around their waist and have to wear the right climbing gear, including shoes.

Watchful eye

Visitors climb the rock under the watchful eye of a qualified instructor who ensures that one steps in the right place. He encourages climbers and makes sure that the descent down the man-made staircases is equally smooth.

But a local tourist who managed to scale the rock to the highest peak recently admits it’s not an easy conquest.

‘‘Though I made it to the top, I was sweating profusely. When climbing up at one time I questioned the rational behind my decision,’’ said Mr Karanja Kimani.

The recent wheelbarrow race held at the game sanctuary was a rare spectacle and full of thrills. It was meant to raise funds and awareness in the community on the dangers of game meat and the need to conserve wild animals.

But a double tragedy in the recent past is sending rumour mills working overtime, with some suggesting a possible change of name.

For the superstitious, it cannot be anything less than a cast of bad spell likened to the strange naming of the park.

And, they now want a change of name to exorcise ghosts tarnishing the image of the popular park.

In an incident in March, four pupils of Nairobi based Mary Happy School died while 28 were injured after in an accident within the park.

The bus developed a mechanical problem as the pupils drove up a steep hill and it rolled back before overturning. Four of the pupils died on the spot.

Bus rolled

The area where the bus rolled was described as dangerous and prone to accidents. The pupils were on educational tour and were travelling in three buses.

Speaking to the Nation by telephone, senior warden in charge of the park, Ms Nelly Palmeris, said both incidents were under investigation. I don’t want to preempt the ongoing investigations, she said.

She, however, said they were reviewing safety measures inside and outside the park to ensure they were up to standard. Ms Palmeris termed the two incidents as unfortunate.