Lake Naivasha Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Lake Naivasha. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• 1 Day trip to Hells Gate and optional Lake Naivasha From Nairobi

• 5 Days Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru & Naivasha Budget Joining Safari

• Hell's Gate National Park Private Bike Tour from Nairobi

• Day Tour to Hell's Gate National Park and Optional Boat Ride on Lake Naivasha

• Day Tour to Hell's Gate National Park and Optional Boat Ride on Lake Naivasha

While there’s no admission fee to visit Lake Naivasha, many travelers opt to take a boat cruise or explore as part of a guided tour. Day tours to Lake Naivasha and Hell’s Gate National Park from Nairobi start at US$45, while boat cruises to Crescent Island start at US$80.

Yes, Lake Naivasha is one of Kenya's most visited natural wonders, and can be reached on a day trip from Nairobi. Wildlife-watching is the main draw in this area, and going with a local guide unlocks experiences you can't have alone, whether you're spotting hippos and flamingos on a boat cruise or visiting Crescent Island to see the free-roaming giraffes.

Per one customer who booked the 1 Day Trip to Hells Gate and Optional Lake Naivasha From Nairobi, "David was absolutely perfect, so knowledgeable and fun. We had a salad safari—every animal we could throw into the mix we saw—and learned so much about each of them. I like that all the entry fees were included in the price—just makes everything smooth for us. It was three of us and David in his car, a perfect size. David knew to pre-order our lunch to save time, knew the weather patterns well enough to know when to get in and out of the boat on time, and knew the right people... Really it was a perfect day."

Located in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha is known for its lush scenery—not to mention the array of animal life that calls this region home. On picturesque Crescent Island, visitors can spot monkeys, giraffes, and hippos. The lake is also a birders’ paradise, attracting over 400 feathered species.

Yes. Lake Naivasha can be reached from Nairobi in just over two hours (depending on traffic), making it a popular choice for full-day or overnight excursions from the capital. Private or shared tours are available. Some include cycling rides through Hell’s Gate National Park, while most offer boat cruises across the lake as optional upgrades.

That depends—you’ll find a range of itineraries. But many tours include a stop on Crescent Island, which offers the unique experience of a walking safari. On foot, alongside a guide, you can see wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, and many other animals at close range.

Yes, though you’ll need your own transportation. Visitors can either drive from Nairobi in a rental car—for many, that means getting used to driving on the left side of the road—or book a taxi service. Once you’re there, it’s possible to arrange a boat ride.

Aim for one of Kenya’s two dry seasons: from January to March, or from roughly July to October. While rainy weather makes for even greener landscapes (and can bring discounts on accommodations and activities), it’s much more pleasant to take a bike or boat ride when conditions are dry and temperate.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting Lake Naivasha. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in and around Nairobi:

• Nairobi National Park

• Masai Mara National Reserve (Maasai Mara National Park)

• Giraffe Centre

• Hell's Gate National Park

• Nairobi National Museum

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Nairobi.