Lake Nakuru day tour from Nairobi: Game drive and boat ride

Three hours in the park, one hour on the water, a guide who knows where the animals are

An 11-hour day tour from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru National Park includes a three-hour game drive with a guide, a stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint on the drive out, lunch at a local restaurant, and an optional one-hour boat ride on Lake Naivasha with bird watching and hippo viewing before returning to your Nairobi hotel. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Park entrance fees (60 USD per person, paid at the gate by card) are separate.

Options for this experience

4 options

From US$ 319 per person, depending on the option and date you choose.See dates & book

Day trip to Lake Nakuru National Park, with an optional boat ride on Lake Naivasha 06:00 Guide in English Up to 7 per booking Pickup is included

Van, with park entrance fee 06:00 Guide in English Up to 15 per booking Duration: one day, Lake Nakuru National Park. The van has a pop-up roof for easier game viewing and photography. Pickup is included

Full-day excursion in a 4x4 Land Cruiser jeep 06:00 Guide in English Up to 15 per booking A 4x4 cruiser jeep: this option takes you on a safari to Lake Nakuru in a Land Cruiser jeep. Lake Nakuru Park fees are included. Pickup is included

Trip made in a Land Cruiser jeep. Available from 17 Oct 2027 Guide in English Up to 15 per booking A 4x4 cruiser jeep: a day tour to Lake Nakuru in a Land Cruiser jeep with a pop-up roof for easier game viewing and photography. Pickup is included

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Step-by-step itinerary

Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha tour

• Meet guide at Nairobi hotel at 6:00am
• Drive to Great Rift Valley viewpoint
• Arrive at Lake Nakuru by 9:00am
• Start 3-hour game drive in Lake Nakuru Park
• Have lunch at Lake Nakuru Lodge or picnic
• Continue game drives after lunch
• Depart park at 3:00pm
• Drive to Lake Naivasha
• Enjoy 1-hour boat ride on Lake Naivasha
• Return to dock and drive back to Nairobi
• Arrive Nairobi hotel by 6:00pm

Stops and time spent at each 2 stops

1. Lake Nakuru National Park 4h
2. Lake Naivasha 2h

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off within Nairobi CBD.
• English-speaking driver and guide for the full day.
• three-hour game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park.
• lunch at a local restaurant or picnic in the park.
• one-hour optional boat ride on Lake Naivasha with bird watching and eagle feeding.
• live commentary throughout the tour.
• infant car seats available on request.

Times

• Every day 06:00

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Before you book

Group Private 2 group tours ›

Live guide English Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to 2h before

Ages Adult (17 to 90 years) · Child (3 to 16 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Infant seats available

Operated by Perfect Safaris

Prices and times updated 17 days ago

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The experience

The day starts at 6:00am with pickup from your Nairobi hotel, then a three-hour drive north to Lake Nakuru. On the way, you stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint to see the escarpment before arriving at the park by 9:00am. The guide leads a three-hour game drive through the park, where you look for flamingos (Lake Nakuru is known for one of Africa's largest wild bird populations) along with other wildlife. You break for lunch at Lake Nakuru Lodge or a pre-arranged picnic in the park, then continue with additional game drives as you make your way out, leaving around 3:00pm.

After the park, the route heads to Lake Naivasha for an optional one-hour boat ride. On the water, you watch for hippos, eagles and other birds while the boat operator feeds the eagles. Once the ride ends, the drive back to Nairobi takes about three hours, with arrival at your hotel around 6:00pm. The entire day is led by an English-speaking guide who travels with you throughout.

Park entrance fees are 60 USD per person and must be paid at the gate using a credit card: cash is not accepted. The tour works for all fitness levels and children from age 3 onward. Infant car seats are available if you need one.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 16 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What wildlife will I see on the game drive at Lake Nakuru?

Lake Nakuru National Park is home to one of Africa's largest wild bird populations, with flamingos being the park's signature species. The three-hour game drive with your guide also offers chances to spot other wildlife in the park, though sightings depend on the day and season.

Is the boat ride on Lake Naivasha included, or do I pay extra?

The one-hour boat ride on Lake Naivasha is optional. You can choose to include it or skip it when you book. If you take the boat, you'll watch for hippos and eagles, and the operator feeds the eagles during the ride.

How much does the park entrance fee cost?

Park entrance to Lake Nakuru is 60 USD per person, paid at the gate on the day of your tour. You must pay by credit card. Cash is not accepted.

What time does the tour start and end?

Hotel pickup begins at 6:00am, and you return to your Nairobi hotel around 6:00pm. The full tour runs 11 hours from start to finish.

Does the tour include lunch?

Yes, lunch is included at Lake Nakuru Lodge or as a pre-arranged picnic in the park, taken during a break in the middle of the game drive.

Will I need to arrange my own transport to the park?

No, hotel pickup and drop-off in Nairobi are included, and a driver and guide travel with you the entire day. You do not need your own vehicle or to arrange separate transport.