Day Trips from Nakuru

October 31, 2026

Travel advice, 31 October 2026: the US State Department has Kenya at Level 3 (“Reconsider Travel”) and an Ebola outbreak is being reported in Nairobi. Nakuru and the Rift Valley lakes are not on the UK or US do-not-travel lists. Read the UK government Kenya advice and the CDC notice before you set off.

Nakuru is a good base for the Rift Valley lakes. The distances below are approximate, and road conditions and traffic change the journey time, so leave early and plan to be back before dark.

Lake Elementaita and Soysambu

Lake Elementaita is about 25 to 30 km from Nakuru. Soysambu is a private conservancy that offers game drives, and its fees vary. The Kenya Wildlife Service also runs the Lake Elementaita Wildlife Sanctuary, a scenic site where a non-resident adult pays USD 50 and a child USD 25. Flamingos have been very scarce here lately, with just 1,476 lesser flamingos counted in the 2025 census, so go for the scenery and the birds. Balloon flights are offered near Lake Elementaita; confirm the operator and price before you commit.

Lake Bogoria National Reserve

Lake Bogoria is a long day, about 2 to 3 hours each way. Most visitors enter through Loboi Gate. The draws are the hot springs and geysers, and the water is hot, so do not touch it. Flamingo numbers vary from visit to visit, and waterbird totals at the lake fell between 2024 and 2025. Ask the reserve for the current entry fee.

Lake Naivasha and Crescent Island

Naivasha is roughly 1 to 1.5 hours south of Nakuru. Crescent Island is a private sanctuary reached by boat, and entry is guided on foot among giraffe, zebra and antelope with no predators. Entry is about USD 33 with the boat extra, so check before you go. Boat rides on Lake Naivasha are an easy add-on for families.

Hell’s Gate National Park

Hell’s Gate is a scenic KWS park near Naivasha where walking and cycling are allowed. A non-resident adult pays USD 50 and a child USD 25, and bike use adds USD 10 or KSh 300 per day. It is the one nearby park where you can get out of the vehicle and walk the gorge.

Kariandusi Prehistoric Site

Kariandusi, near Gilgil, is a National Museums of Kenya site with Acheulean handaxes. It fits on the way to or from Naivasha.

Planning notes

Park fees are published by the Kenya Wildlife Service in its fee schedule and paid through KWSPay in advance. Most visitors need a Kenya eTA from etakenya.go.ke , and the route from Nairobi to Nakuru is about 150 to 160 km on the A104. There is no SGR passenger service to Nakuru; the railway runs from Nairobi to Suswa only. Use a licensed shuttle or driver and travel in daylight.

Browse lake and conservancy day tours on GetYourGuide .