Day trip
Season: Year-roundLake Nakuru day trip from Nairobi
- Game drive among rhinos, buffalo, zebras and Rothschild’s giraffes
- A stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint on the way
By air
International flights land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi. From there, the drive to Nakuru takes about 3½ to 4 hours, or around 2½ hours to Naivasha, depending on traffic. Small airstrips around the lakes are used by charter flights.
| From | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Nairobi city | Car, shuttle, bus or matatu on the A104 | About 3–3½ hours to Nakuru |
| Jomo Kenyatta airport | Private transfer or taxi | About 3½–4 hours to Nakuru |
| Naivasha | Car, shuttle or matatu | About 1–1½ hours to Nakuru |
| Masai Mara | Car or safari vehicle via Narok | About 5–6 hours to Nakuru |
| Kisumu | Car, bus or shuttle | About 3½–4 hours to Nakuru |
By road
The A104 highway climbs out of Nairobi, then drops down the escarpment into the Great Rift Valley, with a famous viewpoint on the way. It continues past Naivasha, Gilgil and Lake Elementaita to Nakuru. Traffic can be heavy, especially leaving Nairobi and around Naivasha at weekends.
Shuttles, buses and matatus
Shared shuttles and buses run between Nairobi and Nakuru many times a day, and matatus (minibuses) link all the towns along the highway. They are cheap, but can be crowded and fast. A private driver costs more but lets you stop when you like.
Getting around
- Game drives: you need a vehicle in Lake Nakuru National Park; book a tour or hire a driver-guide.
- Taxis and ride-hailing: available in Nakuru and Naivasha.
- Bikes: for rent at Hell’s Gate and around Lake Naivasha.
- Self-drive: possible with a 4×4; Kenya drives on the left, and night driving is best avoided.
Read our guide to getting from Nairobi to Nakuru.
