3 Days Lake Nakuru & Lake Naivasha Safari
Discover two of Kenya’s most scenic Rift Valley lakes on this 3-day safari combining Lake Nakuru’s flamingos and rhinos with Lake Naivasha’s hippos and walking safaris. Experience diverse ecosystems from soda lake to freshwater haven, with excellent birdwatching throughout.
What's Included
- Return transport from Nairobi in a 4×4 vehicle
- 2 nights full-board accommodation
- Game drives at Lake Nakuru
- Boat ride on Lake Naivasha
- Walking safari at Crescent Island
- Park entry fees
- Bottled drinking water
What's Not Included
- Hell’s Gate activities (cycling, gorge walk)
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Items of personal nature
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi – Lake Nakuru
Depart Nairobi in the morning and drive to Lake Nakuru National Park via the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Enjoy views across the valley floor dotted with extinct volcanoes.
Arrive for lunch at your lodge overlooking the lake. Afternoon game drive exploring the lakeshore and surrounding woodland. Lake Nakuru is one of Kenya’s most important rhino sanctuaries—look for both species in the thickets and grassland.
The lake’s flamingo numbers fluctuate with water conditions, but even without masses of pink, the park’s 450+ bird species ensure excellent birding.
Dinner and overnight at Lake Nakuru.
Day 2: Lake Nakuru – Lake Naivasha
Morning game drive in Lake Nakuru, focusing on any species or areas you didn’t cover yesterday. Search for leopards in the cliff forests and lions on the savannah.
After breakfast, drive to Lake Naivasha (approximately 1.5 hours). This freshwater lake provides a stark contrast to Nakuru’s alkaline waters.
Afternoon boat ride on Lake Naivasha. Glide past hippo pods, watch African fish eagles hunting, and photograph the diverse waterbirds—kingfishers, cormorants, pelicans, herons, and jacanas.
Land at Crescent Island for a walking safari among giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and antelopes. Without predators, the island offers a rare opportunity to walk freely with plains game.
Dinner and overnight at Lake Naivasha.
Day 3: Lake Naivasha – Nairobi
Optional early morning visit to Hell’s Gate National Park for cycling among wildlife and exploring the dramatic Fischer’s Tower and Hell’s Gate Gorge (additional time and cost).
Alternatively, enjoy a relaxed morning at Lake Naivasha—perhaps another boat ride or nature walk.
After breakfast, drive back to Nairobi with arrival in the early afternoon. The drive passes through the agricultural heartland of Kenya’s Rift Valley.
