Unlike most national parks, Hell's Gate allows visitors to freely walk and cycle through its stunning landscapes. With no elephants, lions, or leopards to worry about, it's safe to explore without a guide or vehicle.

Here's a budget tip: Rather than renting bicycles at your accommodation, head two kilometers from the Elsa Gate to Hell's Gate National Park. Bicycle hire there is more affordable, but remember to check the condition of the bikes before setting off. We paid just 600 KES (6 USD) per bicycle.

On your bike ride, you'll come across canyons, zebras, giraffes and more against a backdrop of vibrant yellow and orange rocks.

I didn't do any hikes in Hell's gate but here is some information if you choose to:

• Once at the canyons, you had the option of three different hikes: short, medium, and long. I don't advise the longer hike as it is poorly maintained. The medium walk, on the other hand, is a thrilling experience as it takes you through deep gorges, sometimes requiring you to climb with ropes or traverse smooth rivers. Don't worry, though—it's not as challenging as it sounds. The medium hike can easily be completed in around two hours!

Another budget tip: Both the bike ride and the canyon hike can be done without a guide.

It's important to note a recent unfortunate incident in which five tourists and their guide tragically drowned during a sudden storm while hiking the canyon. Extreme caution should be exercised when it starts to rain as the canyon can fill up rapidly. It becomes an extremely dangerous place at that time.