You do not need a week off to go on safari in Kenya. Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru are within a few hours of Nairobi, and together they offer rhinos, giraffes, hippos, flamingos, boat rides and walking safaris in a single weekend. This guide explains how to plan a Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha safari, what to do at each lake, where to stay and when to go.
Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru at a glance
- Where: the floor of the Great Rift Valley, north-west of Nairobi.
- Distance from Nairobi: Lake Naivasha is about 90 kilometres away (around two hours by road), and Lake Nakuru about 160 kilometres away (around three hours).
- Lake Naivasha: a freshwater lake known for hippos, boat rides, Crescent Island and nearby Hell’s Gate National Park.
- Lake Nakuru: a soda lake inside Lake Nakuru National Park, known for black and white rhino, Rothschild’s giraffe, lions and flamingos.
- Heritage: Lakes Nakuru, Elementaita and Bogoria form the Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Things to do at Lake Naivasha
Lake Naivasha is the closest safari destination to Nairobi with a real sense of escape. It suits couples, families and corporate groups, and many of our conference packages are based here.
Take a boat ride
A boat ride on Lake Naivasha is the classic activity. You will pass pods of hippos, look for African fish eagles swooping for fish, and see pelicans, cormorants, kingfishers and herons along the papyrus-lined shore. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light.
Walk among the animals on Crescent Island
Crescent Island is a private sanctuary on a peninsula in the lake. There are no large predators, so you can walk with a guide among giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, waterbuck and gazelles. It is one of the few places in Kenya where you can get this close to wildlife on foot.
Cycle through Hell’s Gate National Park
Hell’s Gate is one of the few national parks in Kenya where you can cycle or walk. You can ride past zebras, giraffes and buffaloes, look up at Fischer’s Tower, a volcanic plug that rises from the valley floor, and walk through the deep Ol Njorowa Gorge with a guide. The park is also known for geothermal activity and rock climbing.
Other activities around Naivasha
- A visit to Lake Oloiden, a smaller lake nearby where flamingos sometimes gather.
- Horse riding and game walks on private conservancies around the lake.
- Golf at the Great Rift Valley Lodge, set above the valley.
- Spa time and long lunches at lakeside resorts.
Things to do at Lake Nakuru
Game drives in Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru National Park covers about 188 square kilometres around the lake. It is fenced and is one of Kenya’s most important rhino sanctuaries, protecting both black and white rhinos. You have a very good chance of seeing white rhinos grazing near the shore. Look out for Rothschild’s giraffe, an endangered subspecies, as well as lions, leopards, buffaloes, waterbucks and large troops of baboons.
See the flamingos
Lake Nakuru was once world famous for huge flocks of flamingos that turned the shoreline pink. Since the early 2010s, the lake’s water level has risen, the water has become less salty, and the flamingos now move between Nakuru and nearby lakes such as Elementaita and Bogoria. Flocks still visit Nakuru, but their numbers change from month to month. If flamingos are a priority, tell us and we will plan around the latest reports.
Visit the viewpoints
Baboon Cliff and Lion Hill give wide views across the lake and the park, and they are good places to stretch your legs. Makalia Falls, in the south of the park, flows best in the rainy season.
Sample itinerary: a 3-day Naivasha and Nakuru safari from Nairobi
Day 1: Nairobi to Lake Naivasha
Leave Nairobi in the morning and stop at a viewpoint over the Great Rift Valley. Arrive at Naivasha for lunch, then take an afternoon boat ride to see hippos and birds, followed by a guided walk on Crescent Island.
Day 2: Hell’s Gate and Lake Nakuru
Spend the morning cycling or driving through Hell’s Gate National Park, then drive to Lake Nakuru in the afternoon. Enjoy a sunset game drive and check in to your lodge.
Day 3: Lake Nakuru and back to Nairobi
Set out early for a morning game drive to look for rhinos, giraffes and lions. After breakfast, drive back to Nairobi, arriving in the afternoon.
This itinerary can be extended with a night at Lake Elementaita, or combined with the Masai Mara, which is a day’s drive from Naivasha.
Where to stay
Lake Naivasha
- Enashipai Resort & Spa: a resort with a spa, pool and gardens, popular for weekends and events.
- Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort: cottages in large gardens where hippos and waterbuck often graze at night.
- Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort: high on the escarpment with views over the lake and an 18-hole golf course.
- Loldia House: a historic farmhouse on a private ranch, with walking, riding and boating.
- Chui Lodge: an intimate lodge in a private sanctuary on the shores of Lake Oloiden.
Lake Nakuru
- Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge: inside the park, on a hillside with views over the lake.
- The Cliff: a small luxury camp on a cliff overlooking the lake.
- Sarova Woodlands Hotel & Spa: a comfortable hotel in Nakuru city, a short drive from the park gate.
Best time to visit
Both lakes can be visited all year. The dry seasons, from June to October and from December to March, are best for game drives, walking and cycling. The rains in April and May and in November make the landscape green, and roads in the parks can be slippery. Bird life is excellent all year, and migrant species arrive from about October to April.
Park fees
On the Kenya Wildlife Service schedule published in October 2025, Lake Nakuru is classed as a premium park. The adult conservation fee is KSh 1,500 for East African citizens, KSh 2,025 for residents and USD 90 for non-residents. Hell’s Gate adult fees are KSh 500 for East African citizens, KSh 675 for residents and USD 50 for non-residents. Fees are paid electronically. We include the current fees in our quotes, so you will know the full cost before you travel.
Tips for your trip
- Start early. Leave Nairobi early to avoid traffic on the Nairobi to Nakuru highway.
- Bring layers. The Rift Valley is warm in the day but can be cool in the early morning and evening.
- Wear good shoes in Hell’s Gate. The gorge walk involves some scrambling over rocks.
- Bring binoculars and a zoom lens. They make a big difference for birds and rhinos.
- Book weekends in advance. Naivasha is a popular weekend escape from Nairobi, especially on public holidays.
Plan your Rift Valley getaway with B Hudson Tours
We arrange Naivasha and Nakuru safaris with private transport, park fees, boat rides and accommodation, for anything from a single night to a full week. Browse our Lake Nakuru packages and Lake Naivasha packages, or contact us for a quote.
Lake Nakuru and Naivasha FAQs
Can I visit Lake Nakuru on a day trip from Nairobi?
Yes, but it is a long day of about six hours on the road. An overnight stay gives you an evening and a morning game drive, which are the best times to see wildlife.
Will I see flamingos at Lake Nakuru?
Possibly. Flamingo numbers at Nakuru change with the lake’s water level, and the birds move between Nakuru, Elementaita and Bogoria. Ask us for the latest reports before you travel.
Can I see the Big Five at Lake Nakuru?
Lake Nakuru has rhinos, buffaloes, lions and leopards, but no elephants. For elephants, combine your trip with the Masai Mara or Amboseli.
Is Lake Naivasha good for families?
Yes. The boat ride, the Crescent Island walk and cycling in Hell’s Gate are all popular with children.
What is the best way to combine these lakes with the Masai Mara?
Drive from Nairobi to Nakuru or Naivasha, spend one or two nights, then continue to the Masai Mara. You can fly back to Nairobi from the Mara to save time.
Ready to plan your trip to the Rift Valley lakes? Contact B Hudson Tours and we will tailor it to your dates and budget.
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