Lake Naivasha tours and day trips at a glance
Lake Naivasha is close enough to Nairobi for a day trip. The lake is about 91 km from the capital, and the drive takes roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on traffic. Most tours are built from four blocks: a boat ride on the lake, a walking safari on Crescent Island, a hike on Mount Longonot and a visit to Elsamere. Hell's Gate National Park is a fifth option that some day trips add.
Each block has its own fee, and a tour price may or may not include them. Before you book, check what is in the price. The sections below list the fees to look for, so you can compare tours on the same basis.
Our picks: day trips and safaris from Nairobi
The Hell's Gate days suit you if you want to cycle, and the Longonot and Mara routes are for hikers and safari fans. Fees differ a lot between these tours, so look at what each card says is extra.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Five-day Mara, Nakuru and Naivasha safari
- Four nights with meals
- Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- Lake boat fee included
Naivasha is on day four, with one hour on the lake, and Hell's Gate follows on day five. The park fees depend on the fee option you choose.
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Hell's Gate, geothermal spa and lake boat
- Hell's Gate entry
- Geothermal spa entry
- Boat fee included
An eight-hour day with the park, the spa and the boat fees already in the price. Ask whether bike hire and a gorge guide are included before you book.
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Full day: Mount Longonot hike and Naivasha boat ride
- Park entry included
- Lake Naivasha boat ride
- Lunch included
A full day with the park entry, the boat and lunch already in the price. Groups are limited to 15 people.
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Hell's Gate, Naivasha and Crescent Island day
- Rift Valley photo stop
- Morning hotel pickup
- Return to Nairobi
Four hours at Hell's Gate, one on the lake and three on Crescent Island. The park entry, bike hire and the island visit cost extra, so ask whether the boat is covered before you book.
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Hell's Gate by bike with an optional lake stop
- Bike hire included
- Private park guide
- Nairobi pickup and return
The drive to the lake is an option, not a guaranteed boat ride. The park entry and the boat are paid on top.
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Mount Longonot hike from Nairobi
- Hotel or airport transfer
- English-speaking driver-guide
- Private vehicle
A day trip to the volcano hike, with water included. The park entry is extra, and the boat ride on Lake Naivasha is not part of this tour.
Check availability →Lake Naivasha tours and day trips
Day trips from Nairobi, boat rides, Crescent Island walks and Mount Longonot hikes, with live prices and availability. Check which entry fees are included.
Lake Naivasha day trip from Nairobi
The four blocks most tours use, with the fees to check in 2026.
| Block | What it is | Fee to check |
|---|---|---|
| Boat ride | Hippos and birds from a small boat | From KES 4,000 per boat for one hour, up to 7 passengers, depending on the departure point |
| Crescent Island | Walking safari with giraffe, zebra and wildebeest | $33 adult, $16 child, non-residents; boat is extra |
| Mount Longonot | Crater rim hike in a KWS national park | $50 adult, $25 child, non-residents, since 1 October 2025 |
| Elsamere | Film, museum visit and high tea at Joy Adamson's house | KES 1,200 or $15 for the day package, children 3 to 12 KES 600 |
For most visitors with one day, the boat ride plus Crescent Island is the usual match. Choose Mount Longonot instead if you want a long hike. The crater walk takes 4 to 7 hours, so keep it as a day of its own and ask what a combined schedule really allows.
Details are on the pages for boat rides, Crescent Island, Mount Longonot and Elsamere.
What to check before you book a Naivasha tour
- Entry fees: ask whether Crescent Island and Mount Longonot entry are in the price or paid on top. Non-resident, resident and citizen rates differ.
- The boat: ask whether the boat fee is included and for how many people the boat is priced.
- Pick-up and drive: confirm the pick-up point and the return time. Traffic on the road from Nairobi can add time.
- Meals: do not assume lunch is included.
- Payment: the sanctuary accepts cash in USD, KES or GBP, M-Pesa and cards other than American Express. KWS parks accept payment in advance through KWSPay or eCitizen, M-Pesa, Visa and bank transfer. Ask the operator which fees they pay for you.
Naivasha safari: what to expect
A Naivasha safari is a walk, not a game drive in a large park. On Crescent Island you walk among Maasai giraffe, Burchell's zebra, wildebeest and Defassa waterbuck, with hippos and birds on the lake. Spotted hyena, jackal and buffalo live there too. Sightings are never guaranteed.
If you want a larger safari, Lake Nakuru has its own guide. For cycling and the gorge, see Hell's Gate National Park, which shares the same KWS tariff categories as Mount Longonot.
Kenya safari and Lake Naivasha
Lake Naivasha is easy to add to a longer Kenya itinerary, either as a one day trip or as an overnight stay near the shore. Ask about water levels when you book a waterside bed, because shores can flood. See where to stay.
Getting to your tour
Two main roads lead from Nairobi. The A8 South runs via Maai Mahiu and the A8 runs via Nakuru. The Kenya Railways passenger train to Suswa has a stop at Maai Mahiu on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but there is no direct train to the lake, so you still need a road transfer. More on the getting there page and on Mai Mahiu.
If you drive yourself, avoid night driving where you can. This is general travel advice for Kenya, not a warning about one road.
Lake Naivasha tours: frequently asked questions
Can I do Lake Naivasha as a day trip from Nairobi?
Yes. The lake is about 91 km from Nairobi, and the drive takes roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours each way. A boat ride plus Crescent Island fits into one day. Add Mount Longonot only if you give it a day of its own.
Are entry fees included in tour prices?
Not always. Crescent Island entry, the boat and Mount Longonot entry can be listed as options or paid on top. Read what the tour includes before you book.
Do I need a guide for Mount Longonot?
Ranger-guided tours are a separate charge under the KWS tariff. Check the current rules before you go. See the Mount Longonot page.
How is a Naivasha tour different from Hell's Gate?
Naivasha tours center on the lake, the boat and Crescent Island. Hell's Gate is a separate park with its own tariff and activities, covered by its own guide.
Can I get there by train?
The passenger train from Nairobi stops at Maai Mahiu on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It does not run to the lake, so plan a road transfer for the last part.
Is lake-naivasha.org a tour operator?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to the Kenya Wildlife Service, Nakuru County or any tour or boat operator.