Three days in Nakuru County: Lake Nakuru, Menengai and Lake Naivasha

Three days is the ideal amount of time for Nakuru County. You can spend a day on safari, see the lakes along the Rift Valley floor and end with a bike ride among zebras. This plan uses two bases: Nakuru for the first night and Naivasha for the second.

Day 1: Lake Nakuru and Menengai

Start with a morning game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park, looking for rhinos on the lake shore and giraffes in the acacia woods, with a stop at Baboon Cliff. After lunch in town, rest through the heat of the day, then drive up to the rim of Menengai Crater for the late afternoon light over the caldera.

In the evening, try nyama choma, roast goat or beef, at a local restaurant.

Day 2: Elementaita and Lake Naivasha

Head south-east on the Nairobi road. Stop at the viewpoints above Lake Elementaita, with the Sleeping Warrior hill behind, and visit the Kariandusi prehistoric site, where early humans made stone hand axes. Continue to Lake Naivasha for lunch.

In the afternoon, take a boat ride among the hippos and walk among giraffes and zebras on Crescent Island. Read about a boat ride and Crescent Island.

Day 3: Hell’s Gate

Rent a bike at Elsa Gate and cycle into Hell’s Gate National Park, past Fischer’s Tower and grazing zebras, then walk the gorge with a guide. If you still have energy, soak in the geothermal spa nearby before heading back to Nairobi. Read our guide to cycling Hell’s Gate.

With more time

• Add a day to hike Mount Longonot.
• Go north to Lake Bogoria for geysers and flamingos.
• Continue to the Masai Mara for a longer safari.