Lake Nakuru Day Trip from Nairobi
Experience the best Lake Nakuru day trip from Nairobi—see flamingos, rhinos, lions, leopards, and the Great Rift Valley in a full-day safari. Private 4×4 Jeep, expert guide, flexible departures. Book your 1-day Lake Nakuru safari today.
Lake Nakuru Day Trip from Nairobi
Full-Day Safari • Private 4×4 Jeep • Guaranteed Departures
Looking for a quick but unforgettable wildlife experience near Nairobi? A Lake Nakuru day trip from Nairobi is one of the most rewarding 1-day safaris in Kenya—perfect for travelers on tight schedules, layovers, conferences, or weekend getaways.
Located just 2.5 hours from Nairobi, Lake Nakuru National Park is famous for:
Thousands of flamingos coloring the lake pink
Both black and white rhinos (one of Kenya’s best rhino sanctuaries)
Tree-climbing lions
Leopards in the yellow acacia forest
Buffalo, giraffes, zebras, hyenas, baboons & more
Over 450 bird species
Scenic viewpoints over the Great Rift Valley
This 1-day Lake Nakuru safari gives you the perfect balance of wildlife, photography, landscapes, and comfort—all within a single, well-planned day.


Why Choose a Lake Nakuru 1-Day Safari?
✓ Close to Nairobi
Just 156 km from the city—making it ideal for same-day travel.
✓ Perfect Big Five Viewing
Especially strong for rhinos, lions, and leopards.
✓ Flamingo Paradise
Seasonally, millions of flamingos gather around the lake’s edges.
✓ Easy, Smooth Roads
One of the easiest national parks to access for a day trip.
✓ Ideal for Families, First-Time Visitors, Layovers & Photographers
Short travel, intense wildlife, safe environment.
Your Full-Day Lake Nakuru Safari Itinerary
Full-Day Safari • Private 4×4 Jeep • Guaranteed Departures
06:00 AM – Hotel Pick-Up in Nairobi
Your guide picks you from your hotel, airport, or residence. Begin your scenic drive through the Great Rift Valley, stopping at viewpoints for photos.
09:00 AM – Enter Lake Nakuru National Park
Begin your morning game drive along the lakeshore and acacia forest—prime habitat for lions, baboons, rhinos, and leopards.
11:00 AM – Flamingo & Birdwatching Experience
Visit the iconic flamingo points. Capture photos of pelicans, cormorants, herons, and more.
12:30 PM – Lunch at a Lodge (Optional)
Choose between:
Sarova Lion Hill Lodge
Lake Nakuru Lodge
Packed picnic lunch in a scenic viewpoint
1:30 PM – Afternoon Game Drive
Explore the rhino sanctuary and woodlands for more wildlife encounters.
3:00 PM – Scenic Exit Drive
Look for giraffes, zebras, hyenas, and antelopes as you head out of the park.
3:30–4:00 PM – Drive Back to Nairobi
Arrive at your hotel or airport by 6:00 PM.
What’s Included in Your Amboseli Day Trip

Services of an experienced English/ other language speaking safari tour guide/driver.

Lake Nakuru National Park entry permit.

Game viewing drives

Buffet Lunch at the Lake Nakuru Lodge
What's Excluded
- Bottled & Soft Drinks - Items and services of a personal nature - Tips & Gratuities.

Wildlife You May See on a Lake Nakuru Day Trip
Black rhinos
White rhinos
Tree–climbing lions
Leopards
Buffaloes
Rothschild giraffes
Flamingos & pelicans
Hippos
Hyenas
Zebras
Antelopes
Over 450 bird species
Lake Nakuru is one of the few parks where rhino sightings are nearly guaranteed.

Why Book Your Lake Nakuru Day Trip With Annest Kenya Safaris?
Licensed & trusted local tour operator
✓ Guaranteed departures – even for one person
✓ Clean & modern 4×4 safari jeeps
✓ Flexible: early or late start times
✓ 24/7 customer support
Our Nairobi office makes us perfectly positioned for last-minute Lake Nakuru tours.
Posted on Holli5 January 2026Verified 5 days private safari: Clear recommendation! We can fully recommend Annest Kenya Safaris! Even before the trip we were superbly looked after by Ezra via email and WhatsApp and had a contact person at all times. The 5-day safari was perfectly organized.Our driver & guide Humphrey and Joseph (photographer) picked us up very punctually and accompanied us through the Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha & Amboseli National Park back to Nairobi for the connecting train. Thanks to Humphrey’s great animal and local knowledge, we were often one of the first vehicles on the scene and had the best sightings: except for the rhino, all the Big Five, many baby animals, feeding leopards and feeding lioness, as well as large herds of elephants overlooking Kilimanjaro and a cheetah. Even in challenging traffic or critical situations on site, we felt safe at all times.The lodges were well selected: Masai Mara almost private with great service, Naivasha very nice, Amboseli okay with small cuts in food and tent. Transfers & train connection went smoothly. After the safari, feedback was actively sought and we received many great photos of Joseph.Clear recommendation!Posted on Matthew H3 January 2026Verified Afternoon NBO city safari It was great! Our friend from the UK loved it, and even though my wife and I are residents, we still saw lots of new stuff, including a carcacel, male giraffes battling, an unprecedented number of rhinos... and a turtle! We arrived about 2pm but there were still loads of animals around (usually it's recommended to arrive at 6am!)Thanks to James for being a great guide and driver!Posted on marilena p3 January 2026Verified Safari near the city not to be missed! Safari near the city not to be missedExcellent organization, fast communication!I highly recommend this tour if you pass by Nairobi with “Annest Kenya Safari”Professional and helpful guide and driver!Beautiful morning!Posted on consolata w16 December 2025Verified SIX DAYS FAMILY SAFARI Traveling as a family with adult children, we experienced what can only be described as the trip of a lifetime! Before the safari, we spent a few days in and around Nairobi with friends, enjoying the rich cultural tapestry and getting a true feel for the country.Our safari began on October 13, when George, our driver-guide, picked us up right on time. Over the next six days, he led us through some of the most breathtaking landscapes and wildlife encounters imaginable. His expertise, intuition, and deep knowledge of the parks ensured we were always in the right place at the perfect time.George was incredibly attentive to our interests and passionate about making every moment count. We were up early for morning drives and returned late from evening drives, yet he was always patient, informative, and full of fascinating stories about the wildlife and local culture.The wildlife experiences were extraordinary. Elephants casually crossed the road near our vehicle. We encountered a full lion pride – two males, three females, and two cubs – and thanks to George’s advice for an early start, we saw them again the following morning almost entirely to ourselves. We also witnessed a cheetah with a freshly caught impala, just meters from the road! It was wildlife up close and personal in a way we’ll never forget.Accommodations and meals were excellent at every lodge, and the staff went above and beyond to ensure we were comfortable and well cared for.A heartfelt thank you to Annest Kenya Safaris for organizing this remarkable journey, and especially to George, who made every moment unforgettable. His warmth, knowledge, and personality turned the safari into an experience we’ll cherish forever. We left Kenya already dreaming of our return!Posted on Chay13 December 2025Verified It was a very nice experience! Two-day safari to Tsavo east is beautiful. We spotted a lot of animals. Nature is also very beautiful. Private jeep is recommended, slightly more expensive, but definitely worth it.Posted on Azary11 December 2025Verified 3 days Amboseli and Tsavo Our 3-day safari to Tsavo East and Amboseli National Parks was truly unforgettable! From the very start, Peter, our driver and guide, made us feel comfortable and excited about the adventure ahead. His knowledge, patience, and genuine passion for wildlife made the experience extra special.In Tsavo East, we were amazed by the vast, rugged landscapes and incredible wildlife – from playful elephants to graceful giraffes and even lions lounging in the sun. But Amboseli was simply magical, with the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro as the perfect backdrop. Seeing elephants roam so freely at close range left us in awe.Every moment felt personal and cared for – from the game drives to the cozy accommodations and delicious meals at Kibo and Ashnil. We could truly relax and enjoy the beauty of Kenya, knowing Peter had everything covered.A big thank you to Annest Kenya Safaris for organizing such a flawless and memorable experience. This safari isn’t just about seeing animals; it’s about experiencing Kenya’s nature with someone who makes it come alive.Posted on Tasha M10 December 2025Verified Excellent and top notch service For my birthday I wanted something memorable..n wooow, what a blast💯..I Celebrated my birthday at the Maasai Mara courtesy of Annest safari Kenya and it was straight‑up amazing. The rooms were sleek, super comfy, and the views had me feeling like royalty. Service was on point—annest safari Kenya also remembered it was my special day and even treated me good n matched my vibes..thank you Annest safari Kenya for the awesome experience on my recent birthday your.I highly recommend Annest safari KenyaPosted on Terry M9 December 2025Verified Amazing African Wildlife Experience Amazing African Wildlife Experience - Thanks James and EzraI recently went on a 6-day 3 other friends on Jeep Safari tour with Annest Kenya Safaris. All was well organized from start to finish. Our guide James was a really great man, very experienced and always smiling. Trip planner Ezra arranged everything in such a way that there were no problems.We visited Tsavo West, Amboseli, Lake Naivasha, and finally Maasai Mara. Every place is a different experience. The view of Mount Kilimanjaro from Amboseli was truly unforgettable. In Maasai Mara I got the opportunity to see many lions and elephants from close. Spending the night in the safari lodges and tents was also a special experience.We later head to Diani for cooling off All in all, it was a very comfortable, safe, and enjoyable trip.Posted on diana g9 December 2025Verified Amazing 5 day safari with Annest Kenya safaris My 5-day safari with Annest Kenya Safaris was unforgettable. We started at Ol Pejeta, where seeing chimpanzees up close was incredible. The boat ride on Lake Naivasha was peaceful and beautiful, with birds, hippos, and stunning scenery.Masai Mara was the highlight—we saw all the Big Five in just two days! Our guide Humphrey was knowledgeable and made sure we didn’t miss anything. Accommodation and food were great throughout the trip.Everything was perfectly organized, from pick-up in Nairobi to the final drop-off. I highly recommend Annest Kenya Safaris for a smooth and amazing safari experience!Posted on Sarah3 November 2025Verified A DREAM Layover! Wow. What a fantastic day start to finish! My boyfriend and I had a 14 hour layover in Nairobi today and decided to leave the airport to explore. I contacted a few travel agencies and drivers with fairly short notice and Ezra at Annest Kenya Safaris had the quickest and most detailed responses, she is very helpful and organized. Our driver was Nicholas, he is very friendly and knowledgeable! We got to see the Giraffe Centre, National Park (AMAZING), and Mamba Village Crocodile Park. We also stopped at a local place for lunch and the all-you-can-eat Carnivore Restaurant for dinner. Everything went smoothly. We felt safe the entire time, our bags were fine in the car while we did activities, and the locals were incredibly friendly. Nairobi felt safe and there was plenty to look at along the sides of the road. There can’t possibly be a better layover day than that, we are so happy. Thanks!!Verified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
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FAQs – Lake Nakuru day trip
Approximately 10–11 hours, depending on traffic and time spent inside the park.
Absolutely. It is one of Kenya’s best 1-day safaris for seeing flamingos, rhinos, lions, and beautiful landscapes in a single day.
Yes. We offer airport pick-up & drop-off and adjust timing based on your flight.
Lake Nakuru is great all year, but the best months for flamingos are July–November.
Yes. With jeeps and guides always on standby, last-minute bookings are available.
Flamingo presence varies with lake water levels, but sightings are common.
Light clothing, a hat, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and a light jacket for early morning.
Yes. Lake Nakuru offers gentle roads and calm wildlife viewing—great for families.



