Lake Nakuru & Naivasha: Safari Drive with Optional Boat Ride

Summary

Flamingos, game drives and boat rides near Nairobi in one wild day

You’ll start your day early from Nairobi with hotel pickup before heading out for game drives among flamingos at Lake Nakuru, then enjoy lunch in the park. If you choose, take a peaceful boat ride on Lake Naivasha to spot hippos and watch birds up close—the kind of moments that linger long after you’re back in town.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha tour

• Meet guide at Nairobi hotel 6:00am
• Drive to Great Rift Valley viewpoint
• Continue drive to Lake Nakuru
• Start 3-hour game drive in park
• Have lunch at local restaurant or picnic
• Enjoy additional game drives
• Drive to Lake Naivasha
• Take 1-hour boat ride on lake
• Watch birds, feed eagles, view hippos
• Return to dock
• Drive back to Nairobi hotel

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

Yes, pickup and drop-off at your hotel or residency within Nairobi CBD is included.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 11.5 hours from pickup to return in Nairobi.

Are entrance fees included?

No, you pay your own entrance fees (USD 60 per person) at the gate by VISA card only.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

You’ll have lunch at Lake Nakuru Lodge or can arrange a picnic lunch inside the park.

What wildlife can you see at Lake Nakuru?

You may spot flamingos, rhinos, various birds, and other animals during game drives.

Is there an option for a boat ride on Lake Naivasha?

Yes, after visiting Lake Nakuru you can take an optional 1-hour boat ride on Lake Naivasha.

Can infants join this tour?

Yes, specialized infant seats are available and it’s suitable for all fitness levels.

Do they accept cash for entrance fees?

No, only VISA cards are accepted for entrance fees at the gate; cash is not accepted.

What’s included

Your day includes private transport with pickup and drop-off from your Nairobi hotel or residence, live commentary from your guide throughout game drives at Lake Nakuru and along the way to Lake Naivasha, plus time for lunch either at a local lodge or as a picnic before returning to Nairobi in the evening.

What’s the experience like?

James, our driver, grinned when I asked if we’d really see that “pink lake” I’d read about. He just nodded and said, “Wait and see.” We left Nairobi before sunrise—honestly, I was barely awake—but the air already smelled like dust and coffee. After an hour or so, he stopped at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint. There were a few women selling beadwork (I bought a bracelet I still wear), and the view just hung there—layers of blue hills, way bigger than I imagined. James pointed out where we’d be heading: Lake Nakuru down in the haze.

The drive into Lake Nakuru was bumpy but kind of fun. The park felt alive right away—flamingos everywhere along the shore, not as thick as postcards but still wild to see. Our guide knew every bird call (I tried to imitate one; he laughed). At one point we sat quietly watching a white rhino graze near the water. The smell was this mix of warm grass and mud—hard to describe but it sticks with you. Lunch was at a lodge inside the park; nothing fancy but good chicken stew and chapati. I liked that we could just talk with the staff there, no rush.

After lunch we drove out toward Lake Naivasha for the optional boat ride—I almost skipped it because I was tired, but honestly? Glad I didn’t. The water was glassy and there were hippos popping up everywhere (one snorted so loud I jumped). Birds darted around us; someone pointed out an African fish eagle overhead. It felt quieter than Nakuru somehow—just wind and water sounds. By the time we headed back to Nairobi, everyone in our van was half asleep or swapping stories about what animal surprised them most. That last stretch of road always feels longer on the way home.