Lake Nakuru & Naivasha: Safari Drive with Optional Boat Ride

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/20

Duration11h

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

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.

11h

Step-by-step itinerary

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

The Experience

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.

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.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats available

Operated by Perfect Safaris