KENYA // RIFT VALLEY SHORT BREAK
2 Days Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru Safari
A boat among the hippo on Lake Naivasha, a bike ride through Hell’s Gate and a morning with the rhino of Lake Nakuru. The best of the Rift Valley in two days.
2 Days / 1 Night
DURATION
$340
FROM, PER PERSON
Naivasha, Hell's Gate, Nakuru
DESTINATIONS
2 to 6
GROUP SIZE
ABOUT THIS SAFARI
About This 2 Day Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru Safari
This Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru safari packs three of the Great Rift Valley’s highlights into two days from Nairobi. You take a boat out among the hippo on Lake Naivasha, cycle or walk through the cliffs and gorge of Hell’s Gate National Park and spend a morning searching for rhino in Lake Nakuru National Park.
It is one of the few safaris in Kenya where you can leave the vehicle. Hell’s Gate has no big predators, so you ride a bicycle past zebra, giraffe and buffalo below towering rock walls, then walk into the narrow Ol Njorowa Gorge with a local guide. Lake Nakuru, a fenced rhino sanctuary, is one of the best places in the country to see both black and white rhino.
You travel in a private 4×4 or pop-up roof safari van with your own driver guide, with a night at a lodge on Lake Naivasha. It suits travellers with a weekend free, families with active children and anyone who wants a short, varied break from Nairobi. For more time in the parks, the 5 Days Kenya Wildlife Circuit adds the Masai Mara.
AT A GLANCE
Trip Summary
| Detail | This safari |
|---|---|
| Price from | USD 340 per person |
| Duration | 2 days / 1 night |
| Safari style | Wildlife and Family |
| Countries | Kenya |
| Parks visited | Lake Naivasha, Hell’s Gate and Lake Nakuru |
| Starts | Nairobi |
| Ends | Nairobi |
| Group size | Private departure. Typically 2 to 6 guests per vehicle |
| Best time to go | All year |
| Difficulty | Easy |
ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
Your Route, Day By Day
| Day | Route | Overnight | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nairobi to Lake Naivasha and Hell’s Gate | Lodge, Lake Naivasha | L, D |
| 2 | Lake Nakuru and Back to Nairobi | Departure | B, L |
B breakfast, L lunch, D dinner. Accommodation is shown by type and area. We confirm the exact camp or lodge in writing with your quote.
DAY BY DAY
The Full Itinerary
Your driver guide collects you from your Nairobi hotel at 7.30am. After about an hour you stop at the Rift Valley viewpoint, looking down over the valley floor and the volcano of Mount Longonot, before the descent to Lake Naivasha, around two hours from Nairobi in total. A boat ride takes you out among pods of hippo, with pelicans, cormorants and African fish eagles along the shore.
After lunch you head to Hell’s Gate National Park and explore on a bicycle or on foot, passing Fischer’s Tower and grazing zebra, giraffe and buffalo below the red cliffs. A local guide then leads you down into the Ol Njorowa Gorge, a narrow canyon carved by water, with steam vents from the nearby geothermal field. You return to your lodge on the lake for dinner.
Activities: Rift Valley viewpoint, Lake Naivasha boat ride, cycling in Hell’s Gate, Ol Njorowa Gorge walk
Meals: Lunch and dinner · Overnight: Lodge, Lake Naivasha
An early start brings you to Lake Nakuru National Park, about 90 minutes away, for a half day game drive with a packed lunch. The park is a fenced rhino sanctuary, and your guide will look for black and white rhino, the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe, buffalo and the lions and leopards that live in the acacia woodland.
Your drive follows the lake shore, where flamingo numbers rise and fall with the water level and pelicans are seen all year, then climbs to Baboon Cliff for a wide view over the lake. You leave the park in the early afternoon and drive back to Nairobi, about three hours, arriving in the late afternoon at your hotel or the airport.
Activities: Half day game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park, Baboon Cliff viewpoint, drive back to Nairobi
Meals: Breakfast and lunch · Overnight: Departure
THE ROUTE
Where This Safari Takes You
Nairobi → Lake Naivasha → Hell’s Gate → Lake Nakuru → Nairobi. Roughly 400 km of driving in total.
How To Get There
This safari starts and ends in Nairobi, with pick up from your hotel at 7.30am. If you are flying in, arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) the day before, and we can book a hotel for your first night.
The route is a loop on good tarmac roads. Nairobi to Lake Naivasha takes about two hours, Hell’s Gate is close to the lake shore, Lake Naivasha to Lake Nakuru takes about 90 minutes, and Lake Nakuru back to Nairobi about three hours. In total you drive around 400 km.
You are back in Nairobi by late afternoon on day 2, so plan a late evening flight or an extra night in the city. Ask us to add a hotel to your free quote.
WHAT IS COVERED
Included and Not Included
Included
- Park entrance fees at Hell’s Gate and Lake Nakuru
- Professional English speaking driver guide
- 4×4 Land Cruiser or safari van with pop-up roof
- Accommodation and meals as specified
- Lake Naivasha boat trip
- Bicycle hire at Hell’s Gate
- Bottled drinking water
- Hotel pick up and drop off in Nairobi
Not included
- Travel insurance
- Soft and alcoholic drinks
- Crescent Island walking fee
- Hell’s Gate gorge guide tip
- Tips and gratuities
GOOD TO KNOW
Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru Safari FAQs
Yes. Hell’s Gate has no lions or other big predators, which is why cycling and walking are allowed. The track is mostly flat and suits beginners, and you can drive instead if you prefer. Bicycle hire is included.
Flamingo numbers at Lake Nakuru rise and fall with the water level, so large flocks are not guaranteed. The park is now best known for black and white rhino, Rothschild’s giraffe and pelicans, which you can see all year.
Yes. Crescent Island is a private sanctuary where you walk among giraffe, zebra and wildebeest with a guide. The boat can stop there on day 1, and the island entry fee is paid on the day.
It is one of our best short safaris for families. The drives are short, children enjoy the boat and the bike ride and the walk in the gorge suits most ages with care. Tell us your children’s ages so we can plan the right activities.
This safari starts from $340 per person. The price depends on your group size, the lodge and the vehicle. Use our Kenya safari cost calculator or request a free quote.
Wear comfortable trainers or walking shoes, light clothes and a hat. The gorge can be dusty and slippery in places, so closed shoes are best, and bring water and sunscreen for the ride.
NO OBLIGATION
Enquire About This Safari
Send us your dates and we will confirm availability and a firm price within 24 hours.
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TAILOR MADE SAFARI
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