3D / 2NKilimanjaro views
Lake Naivasha, Crescent Island & Hell's Gate
3-Day Lake Naivasha Safari
Three unhurried Rift Valley days: a boat ride among Naivasha's hippos, a walking safari on Crescent Island and Hell's Gate's cliffs and gorge, with all meals included.
- 3 days · 2 nights
- From Nairobi
- Easy from Nairobi
Overview
Lake Naivasha is the Rift Valley at its most relaxed: a freshwater lake ringed by yellow fever trees, roughly two hours from Nairobi, where hippos grunt from the papyrus and fish eagles call across the water. It's the trip to choose when you want proper wildlife without long hours in a vehicle, and it works as well for families and first-timers as it does for a couples' weekend.
The itinerary covers the three things Naivasha does best. A boat ride on the lake takes you close to hippo pods, pelicans and cormorants. On Crescent Island, a wildlife sanctuary reached by boat, you walk with a guide among giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and waterbuck. Then Hell's Gate National Park gives you red cliffs, the volcanic plug of Fischer's Tower, the Ol Njorowa Gorge and steam rising from the Olkaria geothermal field.
Travelling from Mombasa
The safari starts and ends in Nairobi. Coast travellers ride the SGR to Nairobi the day before, so Day 1 begins with the lake rather than a day on the road. We can book the train seat and a Nairobi night as add-ons, and on the way home you can be dropped at the SGR terminus in time for the afternoon express.
- 2 nights' accommodation with all meals
- Pop-up-roof safari van with an experienced driver-guide
- Boat ride, park fees and drinking water included
- Boat ride among hippos and fish eagles on Lake Naivasha
- Guided walking safari with giraffe and zebra on Crescent Island
- Fischer's Tower and the Ol Njorowa Gorge in Hell's Gate
- Short drive from Nairobi, so more time watching wildlife
- All meals, park fees and drinking water covered
Day by day
- Day 1
Nairobi → Lake Naivasha
Pick-up from your Nairobi hotel at around 08:00. The road climbs out of the city and then drops into the Great Rift Valley, with a stop at the escarpment viewpoint for photographs across the valley floor. You reach Naivasha by late morning, check in and have lunch. In the afternoon you head to the shore for a boat ride on the lake, looking for hippo pods, pelicans, kingfishers and fish eagles. Dinner and overnight at your accommodation.
- Day 2
Crescent Island and Hell's Gate National Park
Start with breakfast and a short nature walk around the grounds, then take the boat across to Crescent Island for a guided walking safari among giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and waterbuck. Return for lunch. In the afternoon you drive into Hell's Gate National Park for game viewing past Fischer's Tower, with buffalo, eland and gazelle on the plains and, weather permitting, a guided walk into Ol Njorowa Gorge. Back in time to enjoy the resort's facilities before dinner.
- Day 3
Lake Naivasha → Nairobi
Breakfast at your own pace, with time for a last walk along the lake shore. Check out mid-morning and drive back to Nairobi, arriving in the early afternoon, traffic allowing. We drop you at your Nairobi hotel, at JKIA or at the SGR Nairobi Terminus. Travellers heading home to Mombasa can catch the afternoon express train, which reaches the coast the same evening.
What's included
Included
- Transport in a pop-up-roof safari van with an English-speaking driver-guide
- 2 nights' accommodation
- All meals from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 3
- Boat ride on Lake Naivasha
- Park and sanctuary entry fees as per the itinerary
- Game drives as per the itinerary
- Drinking water during game drives
Not included
- SGR train tickets or flights between Mombasa and Nairobi
- Accommodation in Nairobi before or after the safari
- Bicycle hire at Hell's Gate
- Drinks, tips and personal expenses
- Travel insurance
Rates
| Option | Kenya resident (KES) | Non-resident (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget camp (ex-Nairobi, pop-top van, 6-7 pax) | 29,500 | 395 |
| Mid-range lodge | 44,000 | 495 |
| Upper mid-range | 54,000 | 595 |
Per person sharing a double or twin room. Under 5 free at Hell's Gate (KWS); Hell's Gate child KES 250 and Crescent Island child KES 400. 3-11 sharing with two adults pay 75% of adult price; 12+ adult.
Good to know
- Coming from Mombasa? Plan to reach Nairobi the day before. The SGR runs morning, afternoon and night trains, and we can book your seat and a Nairobi hotel.
- Hell's Gate is one of the few Kenyan parks where you may walk or cycle among wildlife. Bikes can be hired at the gate if you'd rather ride than drive.
- Gorge walks in Hell's Gate can be closed after heavy rain for safety. Your guide makes the call on the day.
- Naivasha sits at about 1,900 metres, so evenings are cool. Pack a warm layer, a hat, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes.
- Kenyan citizens and residents should carry their national ID or alien card to qualify for resident park rates.
- Coming from Mombasa? Take the SGR to Nairobi the day before — we can book the train and a Nairobi night as add-ons.
Questions about this trip
How far is Lake Naivasha from Nairobi?
Naivasha town is about 90 kilometres north-west of Nairobi, usually two to two and a half hours by road depending on traffic and the route. That short transfer is why this safari feels so easy: you are at the lake before lunch on the first day and back in Nairobi by early afternoon on the last.
Can I book this safari from Mombasa?
Yes. The safari itself runs from Nairobi, so Mombasa travellers take the SGR to Nairobi the day before and stay overnight, then join the pick-up the next morning. On the final day we can drop you at the SGR Nairobi Terminus for the afternoon train. We can add the train tickets and the Nairobi night to your booking.
Is it safe to walk on Crescent Island and in Hell's Gate?
Both are known for walking safaris. Crescent Island has no large predators, and you walk with a guide among plains game. Hell's Gate allows walking and cycling on its main tracks, and gorge walks are led by local guides who watch the weather. Keep a respectful distance from buffalo and always follow your guide's instructions.
Is this trip suitable for children?
It is one of the most family-friendly safaris in Kenya. Drives are short, the boat ride and walking safari keep children busy, and you are never more than a few hours from Nairobi. Let us know your children's ages when you enquire so we can match you with suitable rooms and confirm child rates for park fees.
When is the best time to visit Lake Naivasha?
Naivasha is good all year. The drier months, roughly June to October and January to February, give the easiest walking and clearest skies. The long rains usually fall around April and May and the short rains around November, when tracks in Hell's Gate can be muddy and gorge walks may close for safety.
3-Day Lake Naivasha Safari
Request to book
Tell us when and who's travelling. We check availability, then send a written quote with the total, the deposit and the due dates. Nothing to pay until you're happy with it.
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