Lake Nakuru Day Trip Safari – & Optional Lake Naivasha Boat in Nairobi, Kenya
Nairobi, Kenya

Lake Nakuru Day Trip Safari – & Optional Lake Naivasha Boat

Outty Ranking 73 5.0 · 9 traveler reviews11 hoursFrom $7
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Outty Ranking

73/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 9 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Lake Nakuru Day Trip Safari – & Optional Lake Naivasha Boat worth booking?

Lake Nakuru Day Trip Safari – & Optional Lake Naivasha Boat is a 11-hour experience in Nairobi, Kenya, from $7 per person. It scores 73 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 9 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
73 / 100
Rating
5/5 (9)
Duration
11 hours
From
$7 per person

This is a full day excursion that takes you on a Safari adventure outside Nairobi visiting four attractions withing the Great Rift valley. Lake Nakuru gives you the opportunity to observe the world renowned flamingos as well search for other wildlife such as buffaloes, rhino, giraffes and baboons. Lake Nakuru is world famous also as a sanctuary for both black and white rhino. Besides that, more than 400 species of birds can be seen in the park. Between the lake and the cliffs in the west, large pythons inhabit the dense woodland, and can often be seen crossing the roads or dangling from trees. visit to Lake Naivasha for a boat safari in search for birds and hippos and finally nature walk at the crescent sanctuary which lets you get up close to animals. Naivasha boat & crescent sanctuary walk are optional activity and is not included as a standard part of the itinerary. Guests who wish to participate need to inform their guide during pickup

What you get

    About this experience

    This is a full day excursion that takes you on a Safari adventure outside Nairobi visiting four attractions withing the Great Rift valley. Lake Nakuru gives you the opportunity to observe the world renowned flamingos as well search for other wildlife such as buffaloes, rhino, giraffes and baboons. Lake Nakuru is world famous also as a sanctuary for both black and white rhino. Besides that, more than 400 species of birds can be seen in the park. Between the lake and the cliffs in the west, large pythons inhabit the dense woodland, and can often be seen crossing the roads or dangling from trees. visit to Lake Naivasha for a boat safari in search for birds and hippos and finally nature walk at the crescent sanctuary which lets you get up close to animals. Naivasha boat & crescent sanctuary walk are optional activity and is not included as a standard part of the itinerary. Guests who wish to participate need to inform their guide during pickup

    What's included

    Included

    • Pick up and Drop off in Nairobi
    • 1 Bottled Water Per Person
    • Use of a Customized Safari Vehicle with a pop up roof for easy Game Viewing

    Not included

    • Items and Services of personal nature
    • Lunch 10 - 25 USD - Kindly Discuss/Request guide for Options
    • Lake Nakuru National Park Entrance Fee 90/45 USD Adults/Child Per Person
    • Optional Admission Lk Naivasha Boat Safari & Crescent Nature Walk 40/ 20 USD Adult/Child Per Person

    What you'll see and do

    1. Lake Nakuru National Park

      Pick up from agreed location in Nairobi and Drive down the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway (officially called A104) with spectacular views on the Great Rift Valley.

      Pass by without stopping

    2. Lake Elementaita

      Get to see lake Elementaita in the distance were flamingo came to hatch. the lake also hosts the Kekopey hot springs, a location that is thought to be an ancient passage site involved in the yesteryear ivory and slave trades

      Pass by without stopping

    3. LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK

      Arrive at Lake Nakuru at 8.30 AM and get into the 4X4 Safari Land cruiser Jeep for a morning game drive along the lake shore. The lake is famous for Flamingos visiting to feed on algae forming on the lake bed. They move back and forth, feeding and occasionally taking to the skies filling it with pink color. The park is also home to Roth’s child Giraffes, Water bucks, Impala, Lions, Leopards, Pythons and Rhinos which we will track on our drive to Makalia Fall, one of the rivers feeding the Lake and later to the Baboon Cliff.

      240 minutes here · Admission not included

    4. A waterfall on the southern end of lake Nakuru national park, along one of the rivers that flow into the lake. It has a drop of about 10 m off a sheer cliff, a large plunge pool. Its one of the places in the park where you can step out of the vehicle. Makalia falls is spectacular for viewing, just watching the water from the cliff, coupled with bird sounds and the roar of the falls is a delightful scene.

      30 minutes here

    5. Baboons & Vervits

      This popular viewpoint and a lunch spot has spectacular views of the lake, with some fine aerial vistas down onto the flooded lake shore. Baboons, however, are a problem and don't mind raiding vehicles, whether you're inside or not, for food scraps.

      40 minutes here · Admission included

    6. Lake Naivasha

      Optional activity. Lake Naivasha is an ideal place for boating and a bird lovers paradise, with wide open waters, fantastic surrounding scenery and plenty of channels to explore. this tour will let you see a haven birds in addition to giraffes, water-bucks, elands, wildebeests, zebras, impalas and hippos on the shores of the Lake. To participate kindly inform your guide during pick up.

      60 minutes here · Admission not included

    7. Crescent Island Game Sanctuary

      Optional activity, Crescent Island in Lake Naivasha is a walkable sanctuary where you can walk among giraffe, zebra, hippos, antelope, wildebeest, and many birds such as goliath heron, spoonbills and giant kingfishers. It takes you a 2 hours to walk around the sanctuary. These animals were brought her to film Out of Africa and were left here to thrive. There are no predators here.

      60 minutes here · Admission not included

    8. Stop at the Rift Valley View Point where you will stop for a photo session and a panoramic view of the Valley

      30 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    de, en, fr, es
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 7 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Expedition Happy Hour

    Know before you go

    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

    Photos

    Expedition Happy Hour Day Trip – Birds & Animal Safari, Lake Nakuru, Naivasha & Crescent Nature Walk, Lake Nakuru Day Trip Safari – & Optional...Expedition Happy Hour Day Trip – Birds & Animal Safari, Lake Nakuru, Naivasha & Crescent Nature Walk, Lake Nakuru Day Trip Safari – & Optional...Expedition Happy Hour Day Trip – Birds & Animal Safari, Lake Nakuru, Naivasha & Crescent Nature Walk, Lake Nakuru Day Trip Safari – & Optional...Expedition Happy Hour Day Trip – Birds & Animal Safari, Lake Nakuru, Naivasha & Crescent Nature Walk, Lake Nakuru Day Trip Safari – & Optional...Expedition Happy Hour Day Trip – Birds & Animal Safari, Lake Nakuru, Naivasha & Crescent Nature Walk, Lake Nakuru Day Trip Safari – & Optional...Expedition Happy Hour Day Trip – Birds & Animal Safari, Lake Nakuru, Naivasha & Crescent Nature Walk, Lake Nakuru Day Trip Safari – & Optional...

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 9 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    5 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    2 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Organization

    2 mentions

    Pickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.

    Traveler reviews

    9 verified traveler reviews for Lake Nakuru Day Trip Safari – & Optional Lake Naivasha Boat. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    9
    4 star
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    Jane_S · October 2026

    A must do tour and do it with Vincent!

    Loved this tour and that's even with our vehicle breaking down! Vincent was our guide and was absolutely the best! He truly takes your experience personally and wants you to see all the animals and does his very best to make it happen. When our vehicle broke down Vincent could not stop apologizing. Stuff happens, certainly not his fault. While the situation wasn't ideal, it became one of our favorite memories as EVERY tour vehicle that went by us stopped to see if they could help. Every vehicle, all different tour companies. The park was great and the lake tour capped off the day. The setting is beautiful and the boat ride relaxing and refreshing. The hippos were hard to beat but watching the fish eagle snag its food was pretty awesome.

    via Viator

    Ammaarah_F · June 2026

    An amazing experience!!!

    We had the best time with our tour guide Samuel, he really made sure that we were well looked after, and that we did everything we wanted to experience. He was very patient with us and extremely knowledgeable on the local wildlife and the local area, and he managed to answer our million questions about the birds we saw! He very clearly has a passion for what he does, and the conversation flowed easily with him, we would highly recommend his tour for anyone interested and we would definitely choose him again in the future!

    via Viator

    N9416XFcynthiam · February 2026

    A trip to remember

    It was such a wonderful day to be over there with friends we learned a lot from the safari knowing more about giraffe.We had a lot of fun ridding boats in lake naivasha we got to see hippos and flamingo 🦩 ND other birds.for me I expected what I wanted to see it will be a trip to remember and it gave me the opportunity to want to be a tour and travel operations guide thank you so much.The staff members we cool their service were to good most of them were kind and honest.Nakuru atmosphere is great although am from Nakuru that day the weather favored us and we were not much crowded the capacity was good 👍 as told by the tour guide their admission fees was also nice and fair.Thank you happy tour expenditures to make that day a successful and happy day filled with joy and people who met from other countries.

    via Tripadvisor

    Barb_D · February 2026

    Full and rewarding day

    We had a wonderful day. It's a varied and full experience from morning to evening and we spent as much or as little time as we desired at each activity.

    via Viator

    kteddy254 · August 2023

    Beautiful safari

    I really learnt alot from this trip and i would recommend other people to do this.The crew is amaziand organised, they made our day beautiful.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    11 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $7 to $350
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    3
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Expedition Happy Hour, who run 21 experiences we rank across 6 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 48.8.

    See everything Expedition Happy Hour runs

    Why this scores 73

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)91
    Review evidence (18% weight)43
    Booking momentum (14% weight)33
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)57
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Lake Nakuru Day Trip Safari – & Optional Lake Naivasha Boat: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Nairobi.

    How much does Lake Nakuru Day Trip Safari – & Optional Lake Naivasha Boat cost?

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    Prices start at $7 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Nairobi usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Lake Nakuru Day Trip Safari – & Optional Lake Naivasha Boat take?

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    Plan for about 11 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Nairobi is not rushed.

    Is Lake Nakuru Day Trip Safari – & Optional Lake Naivasha Boat worth it?

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    It holds an Outty Ranking of 73 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 9 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Nairobi, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Lake Nakuru Day Trip Safari – & Optional Lake Naivasha Boat?

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    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Lake Nakuru Day Trip Safari – & Optional Lake Naivasha Boat suitable for kids and families?

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    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 11-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Lake Nakuru Day Trip Safari – & Optional Lake Naivasha Boat?

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    Around 3 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Nairobi can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

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    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Nairobi and add a light layer if any part of the 11-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Lake Nakuru Day Trip Safari – & Optional Lake Naivasha Boat start and how do I get there?

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    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Nairobi within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Nairobi?

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    On Outty we rank every Nairobi experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Wild 5-Day Safari: Magical Mara, Nakuru Wonders & Hell's Gate, 2 Days Amboseli Safari using a 4x4 Landcruiser jeep(with options), Kibera Slum Tour with Lucas. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Nairobi?

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    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Nairobi?

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    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in Lake Nakuru Day Trip Safari – & Optional Lake Naivasha Boat?

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    Included: Pick up and Drop off in Nairobi; 1 Bottled Water Per Person; and Use of a Customized Safari Vehicle with a pop up roof for easy Game Viewing. Not included: Items and Services of personal nature; Lunch 10 - 25 USD - Kindly Discuss/Request guide for Options; Lake Nakuru National Park Entrance Fee 90/45 USD Adults/Child Per Person; and Optional Admission Lk Naivasha Boat Safari & Crescent Nature Walk 40/ 20 USD Adult/Child P. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Lake Nakuru Day Trip Safari – & Optional Lake Naivasha Boat include hotel pickup?

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    Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 784 listed pickup locations in and around Nairobi. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.

    What languages is Lake Nakuru Day Trip Safari – & Optional Lake Naivasha Boat offered in?

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    It is offered in German, English, French and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Lake Nakuru Day Trip Safari – & Optional Lake Naivasha Boat?

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    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    What happens to Lake Nakuru Day Trip Safari – & Optional Lake Naivasha Boat if the weather is bad?

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    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Nairobi. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

    What do travelers say about Lake Nakuru Day Trip Safari – & Optional Lake Naivasha Boat?

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    Across 9 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, organization. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Lake Nakuru Day Trip Safari – & Optional Lake Naivasha Boat.

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