Lake Nakuru Park & Lake Naivasha boat ride from Nairobi
Lake Nakuru is a rhino sanctuary where you'll see flamingos and Big Five animals on a single game drive.
This 11.5-hour tour departs Nairobi at 6am, drives through the Great Rift Valley, and spends three hours on a game drive through Lake Nakuru National Park, a natural rhino sanctuary home to one of Africa's largest wild bird populations. After lunch at Lake Nakuru Lodge, you'll continue game viewing before heading to Lake Naivasha for an optional one-hour boat ride to watch hippos and birds, then return to your Nairobi hotel by 6pm. Your guide provides live commentary throughout. Entrance fees are paid separately at the gate by card.
Options for this experience
3 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha tour
- Meet guide at Nairobi hotel 6:00am
- Drive to Great Rift Valley viewpoint
- Enjoy views at Great Rift Valley
- Continue drive to Lake Nakuru
- Start 3-hour game drive in Lake Nakuru
- Break for lunch at local restaurant
- Continue game drives in Lake Nakuru
- Depart Lake Nakuru at 3:00pm
- Drive to Lake Naivasha
- Optional 1-hour boat ride on Lake Naivasha
- Return to dock and drive back to Nairobi
- Arrive Nairobi hotel around 6:00pm
What’s included
- Private guide and driver.
- pickup and drop-off at your Nairobi hotel or residence within CBD.
- live commentary in English throughout the day.
- three-hour game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park.
- lunch at Lake Nakuru Lodge or picnic in the park.
- optional one-hour boat ride on Lake Naivasha for hippo and bird watching.
Times
- Every day 06:00
Before you book
Operated by PERFECT WILDERNESS TOURS AND SAFARIS
Prices and times updated 4 days ago
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The experience
The day starts at 6am when your guide picks you up from your Nairobi hotel or residence. The drive to Lake Nakuru takes three hours and includes a stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint, where the escarpment views frame the landscape you're heading into. You arrive at the park by 9am and begin a three-hour game drive with your guide, scanning for the flamingos the lake is known for, as well as rhinos (the park protects an endangered rhino population), and other Big Five animals.
Lunch happens at Lake Nakuru Lodge or a pre-arranged picnic in the park, depending on what you've chosen. After eating, you continue game viewing on the way out of the park, departing around 3pm. The route then takes you to Lake Naivasha for the optional one-hour boat ride, where you watch hippos and birds from the water. Once the boat ride ends, the drive back to Nairobi takes the rest of the afternoon, with drop-off at your hotel by 6pm.
The tour is private, meaning you travel with your own guide and driver rather than joining a group. Your guide provides live commentary in English throughout the day. Park entrance fees (USD $60 per person, rising to $100 from January 2024) are paid directly at the gate using Visa, Amex or Mastercard. The boat ride on Lake Naivasha costs an additional $25 per person if you choose it. Pickup and drop-off are included within Nairobi CBD.
Is this one for you?Book this if you're starting from Nairobi and want a private vehicle with a single guide for the full day. You'll skip coordinating pickups, switching between operators, or managing timing across the flamingo viewing, rhino sanctuary, and lake stops.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3): free.
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 most distinctive. The park is also a natural rhino sanctuary protecting an endangered species, and you'll have the chance to spot Big Five animals during your three-hour game drive with your guide.
How long is the drive from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru?
The drive takes three hours, and you'll stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint along the way to see the escarpment views before arriving at the park by 9am.
Is the boat ride on Lake Naivasha included in the tour price?
The boat ride is optional and costs an additional USD $25 per person. You'll spend one hour on the water watching hippos and birds before the return drive to Nairobi.
What time does the tour start and end?
Your guide picks you up at 6am from your Nairobi hotel or residence, and you return by 6pm the same day. The full tour lasts 11.5 hours.
Do I need to pay the park entrance fee upfront?
No, entrance fees (USD $60 per person, or $100 from January 2024) are paid directly at the gate using a Visa, Amex or Mastercard. Your guide will help you with the process upon arrival.
Can I arrange a picnic lunch instead of eating at the lodge?
Yes, you can have a pre-arranged picnic lunch in the park instead of eating at Lake Nakuru Lodge. Confirm your preference when you book.
Lake Nakuru Park & Lake Naivasha boat ride from Nairobi
9h–10h · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 202 per person
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