6 best day trips from Nairobi

Day trips compared

The day trips

90 km · About 2 hours by road

1.Lake Naivasha and Crescent Island

A freshwater Rift Valley lake fringed with yellow fever trees, where boat rides pass hippos and fish eagles. Crescent Island, a private sanctuary on the lake, allows walking safaris among giraffes, zebras and wildebeest because there are no large predators.

Getting there

Car with driver or tour, via the Rift Valley escarpment viewpoint

Best for

Families, Couples, Quiet stays

100 km · About 2 hours by road

2.Hell's Gate National Park

One of the few Kenyan parks where you can cycle or walk among zebras, buffalo and giraffes, below the volcanic plug of Fischer's Tower. A guided walk descends into the narrow Ol Njorowa Gorge with its hot springs.

Getting there

Car with driver or tour; combine with Lake Naivasha

Best for

Solo travellers, Budget, Families

25 km · About 1 hour by road

3.Ngong Hills

The knuckle-shaped ridge seen from Karen offers a ridge-top hike with views west over the Great Rift Valley and east to the city. The walk follows the crests past a wind farm; going with a ranger or local guide is recommended.

Getting there

Car with driver, then a guided ridge hike

Best for

Solo travellers, Quiet stays

160 km · About 3 hours by road

4.Lake Nakuru National Park

A fenced Rift Valley park around a soda lake, known for black and white rhinos, Rothschild's giraffes, lions and, in some years, large flocks of flamingos. The view from Baboon Cliff takes in the whole lake.

Getting there

Car with driver or tour

Best for

Families, First-timers

240 km · About 4–5 hours by road; best overnight

5.Amboseli National Park

Large elephant herds against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro across the border in Tanzania are Amboseli's classic image. The long drive makes it a better overnight trip than a day out.

Getting there

Safari vehicle via Namanga, or a light-aircraft flight from Wilson

Best for

First-timers, Families, Couples

270 km · About 1 hour by air; 5–6 hours by road

6.Maasai Mara National Reserve

Kenya's best-known reserve, with lions, cheetahs, leopards and, usually from July to October, the wildebeest migration and its Mara River crossings. It needs at least two nights; fly in to save a long road journey.

Getting there

Light aircraft from Wilson Airport, or safari vehicle

Best for

First-timers, Couples, Luxury

Day-trip tips

• Leave early: most trips are more relaxed with a morning departure and a return before dinner.
• Ride matatus by day with small change, and keep bags on your lap.
• The Madaraka Express standard-gauge railway runs from Nairobi Terminus near the airport to Mombasa in about 5–6 hours, passing Tsavo's plains where wildlife is sometimes visible from the window.
• For trips over about 150 km, an overnight stay or an organised tour saves a lot of travelling.

Questions travellers ask