Lake Day Trips From Nakuru

October 31, 2026

As of 31 October 2026, check US State Department, UK FCDO and CDC advice before booking. Kenya is at Level 3 in the US system, an Ebola outbreak is being reported in Nairobi, and the Rift Valley lakes are outside the listed do-not-travel areas. Official pages: UK FCDO Kenya and CDC Kenya .

The lakes around Nakuru can each be a day out. Distances and times below are rough, so confirm with your driver, start early and be back before dark.

Trip	Distance or time from Nakuru	Entry cost	Best for
Lake Elementaita and Soysambu	About 25 to 30 km	USD 50 adult at the KWS sanctuary; Soysambu varies	Scenery, birds
Lake Bogoria	About 2 to 3 hours each way	Ask at Loboi Gate	Hot springs, geysers
Naivasha and Crescent Island	About 1 to 1.5 hours south	About USD 33 for the island, boat extra	Boat ride, walking among giraffe
Hell’s Gate	Near Naivasha	USD 50 adult, USD 25 child	Cycling, gorge walk
Kariandusi	Near Gilgil	Ask on site	Stone tools

Elementaita and Soysambu

The Kenya Wildlife Service manages the Lake Elementaita Wildlife Sanctuary as a scenic site, while Soysambu is a private conservancy with its own game drives and its own prices. The census counted only 1,476 lesser flamingos here, down from over 202,000 three years earlier, so lead with the landscape and the birdlife. Balloon trips are advertised near the lake. Ask the operator for the launch site, the price and the timing.

Lake Bogoria

The usual entrance is Loboi Gate, and the trip is long enough that most people go early and return late. The hot springs and geysers are the highlight, and the water is hot enough to hurt, so keep your hands off it. Flamingo numbers have swung up and down, and total waterbirds at Bogoria fell from 54,711 in 2024 to 21,903 in 2025. Ask at the gate for the current entry fee.

Naivasha and Crescent Island

Reached by boat, Crescent Island is a private sanctuary where you walk with a guide among giraffe, zebra and antelope. No predators live there. Guides are required.

Hell’s Gate

Hell’s Gate is a KWS scenic park where walking and cycling are allowed. A bike adds USD 10, or KSh 300, per day. It is the place for a gorge walk on a day trip from Nakuru.

Getting around

Taxis, tour vehicles and hired drivers are the usual ways to do these trips. Keep driving to daylight hours. Nairobi to Nakuru is about 150 to 160 km on the A104, and the SGR does not reach Nakuru. Park fees are paid online in advance via KWSPay , and the KWS fee schedule lists the rates.

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