Day Trip: Lake Nakuru National Park and Lake Naivasha Boat Ride

I enjoyed the tour and the guide was very helpful and informative. But the drive from Nairobi was a lot longer than advertised. That’s why it was not a five the travel was twice the length of the visit

My driver collected me from the Hotel and drove to Lake Nakuru stopping on the way to look at the view over the Great Rift Valley, there was an opportunity to buy nick-nacks but as I had arrived late the night before I didn't have any local cash. We then drove to the Lake Nakuru park gate, not all gates were open due to the water levels. There was a big souvenir shop just outside the gate and I planned to go back but we left via a different park gate. Once the park fee was paid (it worked out at more that $80 USD? not sure why? we entered the park, there was lots to see and my guide was very proficient at spotting and identifying wildlife. During the course of the day I was able to see White Rhinos, Lions, Giraffes, Zebra, Buffalo, Flamingos, storks and many eagles and other birds, warthogs, baboons and monkeys among other animals. We took lunch at the main lodge inside the park, a bit pricey and the price was not advertised in advance. After lunch I was offered the Lake Naivasha boat ride but it was cash only so after going back to look at the White Rhinos again we headed back to Nairobi (it was a day trip). Warning - avoid a day trip out of Nairobi on a Sunday, especially to Lake Nakuru - the traffic back into Nairobi was truly awful and slow. Otherwise the trip was great. I only had one day free and got to see lots of wildlife in a great habitat. My driver was very friendly and knowledgeable. I had booked a 'group tour' but since it was low season I ended up on a private tour so it pays to go out of season. My flight landed late on the Saturday night and it was an early start on the Sunday morning. The tour pickup was planned for 05.00 but I got a message 18 minutes before saying 05.30, could have had an extra 30 minutes in bed. Overall it was a great day but tiring and the traffic on the return trip was tough. The park entry fee was not as advertised and lunch while nice was also a bit pricey. But I would do it again, but maybe not on a Sunday...

All very well, it was a private safari and my guide was always on the lookout that I don't miss anything, even found a lion

Overall great experience! The lake is in the middle of the reserve, during the tour we took a road which goes through the lake where you can see thousands of birds fishing and interacting with each other. We were able to see tons of zebras, warthogs, giraffes, baboons and buffalo. The also managed to see both black and white rhinos! Our guide Eric was hospitable, knowledgeable and happy to accommodate our wishes. We stayed in the park during the whole trip instead of taking the boat tour on lake Naivasha, which we had already done on a different safari. We recommend this trip, especially if you want to see rhinos.

I really enjoyed this day trip to Lake Nakuru. Morning check-out at 5am from the hotel with a stop on the way for breakfast. Arriving at the lake national park, a beautiful landscape, full of pelicans, birds, buffaloes, monkeys, we saw a lioness too. It was with a large classic car, no sunroof and the window could only open half, which restricts vision. For lunch my guide took me to the restaurant of a lodge in the national park, with a splendid view and a small good buffet. We then went to Lake Naivasha, a very nice place, and I took an hour boat ride on the lake to see hippos and birds. I had to pay $50 for this 1 hour boat tour and it seemed very expensive, I had read that the price was more of 25 to 30 dollars maximum. I recommend this one-day tour.

Er had a lovely time at our safari with Erick and Josef! A relaxing trip where we saw zebras, hippos, monkeys, a lion and rhino. We ended our day with a delicious lunch at the lodge in the park. Will highly recommend this tour!

Amazing tour, beautiful scenery and a fantastic guide. Here you can see zebras, monkeys, hippos, rhinos and even lions. 100% recommend this if you’re in Nairobi for a few days.

Peter was quite a genuine and awesome guide. Not only was it easy conversation to and from the park, he was very engaging during the safari itself. And, despite my reservations, insisted we stop at Lake Naivasha. Well worth it and grateful for Peter’s insistence.

Great experience! The guide was helpful, kind, relaxed and knowledgeable. From coffee recommendations on the drive to the park, to finding great animals, it was a successful and pleasant day.

It was okay. The driver was nice and respectful. But he wasn’t very much into it. During the pick up he mentioned that when he visited the place two days before my trip, they didn’t see many animals and tried to persuade me to just go to Nairobi National Park. I insisted that I paid for Lake Nakuru and I will not go anywhere else. It was also very clear that he was not an expert on wildlife - if you expect to have a real naturalist as a guide this is not for you! I’m honestly disappointed. He didn’t do much to help spot the animals. He simply drove (at some points very fast) and it’s up to you to ask him to stop if you noticed something. I was too disappointed that I simply asked him to drive me back to Nairobi after lunch instead of continuing with the safari! It does not worth the price considering you paid whatever Viator charges you + 60 USD entrance fee.