1-Day Kenya Tours & Safaris

4.6/5 – 887 Kenya Reviews

Kenya practically invented the African safari. It has a solution for any kind of journey in its network of parks and reserves. Although a proper safari should at least include a few nights in the bush, sometimes there is the need for a 1-day Kenyan safari. You might be a business traveler in Nairobi looking for the best way to spend a free day. Or maybe you’re in transit with time on your hands. Kenya, with its Indian Ocean coastline, is a popular beach destination. Maybe you’d like a little adventure away from the beach with a day trip to the bush. Safari means journey. And any journey is better than no journey. You’d be surprised how much you can experience in a day. So, get ready to explore some of the continent’s best safari country.

1-20 of 119 one day tours, safaris and holidays to Kenya

5 Questions About Kenya Day Tours

Expert

Answered by

Ariadne van Zandbergen

Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert and photographer. She and her husband form a team who write and update many travel guides. She first visited Kenya 25 years ago. Since then she has been back many times to explore the country’s parks and reserves.

› More about Ariadne

What day tours are available in and around Nairobi?

“Several day tours are available from Nairobi, one of Africa’s main transport hubs and business centers. It is the main starting point for a Kenyan safari, but even if you only have a day to spare there is a lot you can do in and around the city. Nairobi National Park lies within sight of the city. Most big safari animals, except elephant, roam free here, and you’ll have some unique photo opportunities of wildlife against the Nairobi skyline. A visit to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s elephant orphanage, at the entrance to the national park, is also highly recommended. Equally close to the city centre is the Giraffe Centre, a creation of the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW), where you can get into close contact with the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe. A platform allows you a level view into the deep-brown eyes of these magnificent creatures while you feed them pellets. Further afield, some of the country’s greatest parks and reserves are theoretically within driving distance for a day trip, but an overnight stay would be more recommendable. Amboseli National Park has excellent elephant viewing in front of Mt Kilimanjaro. Ol Pejeta Conservancy offers close-ups of rhino and other Big Five animals. Lake Nakuru is Kenya’s most popular Rift Valley lake. These can all be visited on long day trips. A day trip to Lake Naivasha, often visited by flocks of flamingo, and nearby Hell’s Gate National Park is also worthwhile.”

What day tours are available in and around Mombasa?

“If you find yourself with a day to spare in Mombasa, there are several great options for day tours. This is also the case if you would like to break up your holiday at one of the stunning beach resorts south of the city. Shimba Hills National Reserve, for instance, protects one of the largest coastal rainforests in East Africa. You’re likely to see elephant, the beautiful black-and-white colobus monkey and, if you’re lucky, the endangered Roosevelt’s sable. You’ll need to go a bit further afield for a more conventional savannah wildlife destination. Tsavo East National Park, a wild Big Five destination, can be visited on a long day trip from Mombasa, but an overnight stay would be preferable. Another option for a day trip from Mombasa takes you out to sea for dolphin spotting (and possibly a swim with them), snorkeling and lunch on Wasini Island. Time permitting, take a full- or half-day city tour incorporating the old town center, starting at Fort Jesus. This is a great introduction to the fascinating ancient Swahili culture that dominates the East African coast.”

Are there day tours to parks or reserves in Kenya?

“There are plenty of day tours on offer from Nairobi and Mombasa to some of the parks and reserves within easy driving distance to these cities. Although you can get to the Masai Mara National Reserve in time for lunch, it is too far for a worthwhile day trip from Nairobi. It is, however, possible to book a day tour in the Masai Mara from most lodges just outside or even inside the reserve. This is particularly useful for people on a self-drive safari. Even if you’ve got your own 4x4, it is a great idea to book a game drive in an open vehicle with a knowledgeable guide. There is no signage in the Masai Mara, so there is a real chance of getting lost without a guide. Guides are experienced at spotting animals and they have prior knowledge on where to go. Finally, after a long day’s driving, you might just prefer to sit back and relax on an organized day trip.”

Is it safe to book a day tour in Kenya?

“As long as you book with a reputable tour operator, day trips in Kenya are very safe. Most day trips in Kenya start in one of the main cities, Nairobi and, to a lesser extent, Mombasa. Cities are hot spots for crime throughout the world, and Nairobi in particular has a bad reputation. When you’re not familiar with a city, it’s easier to put yourself at risk because you don’t know which areas to avoid and what might get you into trouble. Therefore, it is recommended to book a tour if you have a day spare and would like to explore. You will be collected and dropped off at your hotel or the airport, and your safety will be in good hands throughout the day. The guide’s presence alone will make you a very unlikely target.”

Is it possible to see the Big Five on a day tour in Kenya?

“Many of the parks and reserves are home to the Big Five, but it won’t always be feasible to see all of them on a day tour. There is some incredible wildlife viewing to be had in Kenya. Nairobi NP is the most popular wildlife destination for day trips out of the capital. It is so close to the city that you won’t lose valuable time driving there. There is no elephant in the park, but rhino, lion and buffalo are regularly spotted. If you combine a visit here with the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s elephant orphanage at the entrance of the park, you can add elephant to your list. Leopard is present, but you’d have to be very lucky to spot one. Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a Big Five destination and can be visited on a long day trip from Nairobi. However, the highland town of Nanyuki is a better base for a day trip to Ol Pejeta and other Laikipia Plateau reserves. Your best bet for seeing the Big Five on a day trip from the beach resorts near Mombasa is in Tsavo East NP. This large wilderness is best visited on a longer stay, but you’ve got a good chance of seeing elephant and buffalo on a day trip. Lion sightings are more sporadic, while rhino and leopard are rarely seen.”

Kenya Safari Reviews

4.6/5 887 Reviews

Expert

Mike Unwin –

Mike is an award winning wildlife writer, editor of Travel Zambia magazine and author of the Bradt Guide to Southern African Wildlife.

The home of safari

5/5

Kenya, to most people, is safari. This is where it all began, after all, and from Out of Africa to Big Cat Diary the country has provided the images that define the visitor’s idea of Africa. Certainly, when it comes to game viewing, this...

Full Review

Expert

Nana Luckham –

Nana is a travel writer and author of multiple guidebooks, including the Lonely Planet guides to Africa, Zambia & Malawi and South Africa.

From game-packed hotspots to little known wilderness

5/5

Kenya’s stunning landscapes include rainforest, beaches, deserts and mountains, but it’s the first class wildlife watching that keeps so many visitors flocking back. Not only is it one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five,...

Full Review

Shelmith –

Reviewed: Oct 14, 2020

Kenya is amazing!!

5/5

Safari bookings took us to this amazing hotel ,ole sereni hotel which was close to wildlife.there was an amazing scenic view I would never forget .the roof top was exceptionally beautiful .We went Nairobi national park, we had an...

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John –

Reviewed: Jul 20, 2020

All we hoped for and more.

5/5

Our Kenya holiday was everything we hoped for and more, thrilling fascinating breathtaking emotional and beautiful. The thrills came from spotting the many different animals we were lucky enough to spot on our game drives and a visit to...

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MD –

Reviewed: May 20, 2020

Kenya Safari- Masai Mara and Amboseli- January 2020

4/5

Went on two 3 day safari's in Kenya, first to the Masai Mara and the second to Amboseli. All in all the two trips were good value given the low price, I've listed the pros and cons below. Pro's- -Amazing scenery and wildlife, you cannot...

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Joe –

Reviewed: Apr 27, 2020

Amazing

5/5

Incredible wildlife experience.
Samburu was the highlight.
Some poor service from our tour company, African Breeze - including downgrading hotels without warning to save themselves money (we were not offered a refund).

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1-Day Kenya Tours & Safaris

1-Day Nairobi City Tour and Short Excursions

1-Day Lake Naivasha Boat & Hellsgate National Park Tour

1-Day Nairobi Private Tour

1-Day Trip Lake Nakuru Budget Safari 2020-2023

1-Day Spotting the Animals in Tsavo East

1-Day Nairobi NP, Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Center

1-Day Lake Nakuru Park Safari

1-Day Tsavo East National Park Day Tour

1-Day David Sheldrick and Giraffe Centre Nairobi Tour

1-Day Tsavo East Tour Safari Extra Miles Safari Mombasa

1-Day Nairobi City Excursion

1-Day Amboseli National Park Day Tour

1-Day Tour to Amboseli National Park

1-Day Top Nature Sights of Nairobi

1-Day Amboseli National Park Tour

1-Day Lake Nakuru National Park Safari

1-Day Nairobi National Par

1-Day Amboseli National Park Adventure

1-Day Shedrick Giraffe Centre & Karen Blixen City Tour

1-Day Trip Amboseli National Park

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5 Questions About Kenya Day Tours

Answered by

Ariadne van Zandbergen

5 Questions About Kenya Day Tours

What day tours are available in and around Nairobi?

What day tours are available in and around Mombasa?

Are there day tours to parks or reserves in Kenya?

Is it safe to book a day tour in Kenya?

Is it possible to see the Big Five on a day tour in Kenya?

Kenya Safari Reviews

The home of safari

From game-packed hotspots to little known wilderness

Kenya is amazing!!

All we hoped for and more.

Kenya Safari- Masai Mara and Amboseli- January 2020

Amazing