A Kenya Great Rift Valley tour offers a diverse range of experiences, from walking safaris among wildlife to birdwatching on pristine lakes and exploring dramatic volcanic landscapes. Tours often combine visits to multiple destinations within the Rift Valley, and can be customized based on your desired duration, budget, and activities.
Popular Great Rift Valley tour options
Two-day Lake Nakuru and Hell’s Gate safari
This is a quick and popular overnight trip from Nairobi.
Destinations:Lake Nakuru National Park and Hell’s Gate National Park
Wildlife viewing: At Lake Nakuru, you can see rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, buffaloes, and lions. The park was once famous for its vast flamingo population, but fluctuating water levels have affected their numbers.
Activities: Take game drives at Lake Nakuru and go on a walking or cycling safari among wildlife at Hell’s Gate.
Three-day Lakes Bogoria and Baringo tour
This package focuses on the unique volcanic landscapes and abundant birdlife of the northern Rift Valley.
Destinations:
Lake Bogoria National Reserve and Lake Baringo.
Highlights:
Witness geothermal activity, with hot springs and geysers steaming along the shores of Lake Bogoria.
Observe vast numbers of lesser and greater flamingos, particularly on Lake Bogoria.
Take a boat ride on freshwater Lake Baringo to see hippos, crocodiles, and fish eagles.
Five-day safari combining lakes with the Maasai Mara
For a more extensive adventure, you can combine the Rift Valley lakes with Kenya’s most famous national reserve.
Destinations:
Maasai Mara National Reserve, Lake Nakuru, and Lake Naivasha.
Highlights:
Search for the “Big Five” and potentially witness the Great Migration (seasonal) in the
Maasai Mara.
VisitLake Nakuru for a chance to see rhinos and a variety of birdlife.
Take a boat ride on Lake Naivasha and go on a guided walking safari at the private
Crescent Island Sanctuary.
Accommodations: Options range from budget camping to luxury lodges.
Cost: A budget group-joining safari can start around $550 per person, while private safaris will be higher.
