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
The essentials
| Location | Great Rift Valley, central Kenya |
|---|---|
| County capital | Nakuru, Kenya’s fourth-largest city, about 1,850 metres above sea level |
| Distances | Nairobi 160 km, Naivasha 70 km, Lake Bogoria about 110 km |
| Time zone | East Africa Time (UTC+3), no daylight saving |
| Currency | Kenyan shilling (KES) |
| Languages | English and Swahili |
| Plugs | Type G (British three-pin), 240 volts |
| Emergency numbers | 999 or 112 |
When to visit
Nakuru County is close to the equator but high up, so it is warm by day and cool at night all year. The seasons are set by the rains.
| Months | What to expect |
|---|---|
| January and February | Hot, dry and sunny. Good for game drives and hiking. |
| March to May | The long rains, with heavy afternoon storms. Green, quiet and cheaper; some tracks get muddy. |
| June to October | Dry and cooler, the main safari season. Busy in July and August. |
| November and December | The short rains, usually brief showers. Busy again over Christmas. |
Weather and what to pack
Days are usually 22 to 28 °C, and nights can drop to about 10 °C, colder on Longonot and Menengai.
- Layers, including a fleece or warm jacket for early game drives
- Neutral-coloured clothes for safari
- A hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream; the sun is strong at this altitude
- Walking shoes with good grip for Hell’s Gate and Longonot
- Binoculars, insect repellent and a reusable water bottle
Money and costs
Cards are accepted in hotels, lodges and larger shops, and mobile money (M-Pesa) is used almost everywhere in Kenya. Carry some shillings for small purchases and tips. National park fees are paid electronically, by card or mobile money.
Health
- Vaccinations and malaria: see a travel clinic several weeks before you go. A yellow fever certificate may be required depending on where you travel from.
- Water: drink bottled or filtered water.
- Altitude and sun: drink plenty and take it easy on hot hikes.
- Insurance: make sure your travel insurance covers safari activities and medical evacuation.
Safety
- Towns: take normal care with valuables, use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps after dark, and avoid walking alone at night.
- Roads: the Nairobi–Nakuru highway is busy and accidents are common. Avoid night driving.
- Wildlife: stay in your vehicle in the game areas, keep away from hippos at the lakes, and follow your guide.
- Hell’s Gate gorge: never enter in rain, because of the risk of flash floods.
- Travel advice: check your government’s current advice for Kenya before you go.
Etiquette
- Greet people before asking a question; “Jambo” or “Habari” go a long way.
- Ask before photographing people, and do not photograph police, the military or government buildings.
- Plastic carrier bags are banned in Kenya, and single-use plastics are not allowed in national parks.
- Dress modestly away from lodges and resorts.
