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Kenya Day Trips
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.
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½-Day Nairobi National Park
$136 to $198 pp (USD)
Kenya: ½ Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Nairobi NP, Nairobi (End)
Bienvenido Kenya Tours and Safaris
4.3/5 – 76 Reviews
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1-Day Amboseli National Park Trip
$275 pp (USD)
Kenya: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Amboseli NP, Nairobi (End)
Kenya Bush Expeditions
4.6/5 – 64 Reviews
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1-Day Hells Gate, Crescent Island & Lake Naivasha Safari
$209 pp (USD)
Kenya: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Hell’s Gate NP, Nairobi (End)
Bush-thorns Adventures and Safaris
5.0/5 – 33 Reviews
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1-Day Masai Mara Day Safari
$743 to $853 pp (USD)
Kenya: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Ongeri Expeditions
5.0/5 – 83 Reviews
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1-Day Kenya Amboseli National Park Private Safari
$297 to $319 pp (USD)
Kenya: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Amboseli NP, Nairobi (End)
Gemfinders Tours and Travel
4.5/5 – 21 Reviews
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1-Day Tsavo East Red Elephant Express Safari
$242 to $253 pp (USD)
Kenya: Day tourShared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)
You Visit: Mombasa (Start), Tsavo East NP, Mombasa (End)
Jemmy Safaris
5.0/5 – 13 Reviews
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½-Day Nairobi National Park Private Safari
$143 pp (USD)
Kenya: ½ Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Nairobi NP, Nairobi (End)
Olengugih Safaris
5.0/5 – 21 Reviews
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1-Day Nairobi NP, Giraffe Center and Bomas of Kenya
$270 pp (USD)
Kenya: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Nairobi NP, Nairobi (End)
Majestic Quest Tours & Travel
5.0/5 – 8 Reviews
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1-Day Enchanting Escapade to Lake Nakuru National Park
$249 pp (USD)
Kenya: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Lake Nakuru NP, Nairobi (End)
Demic Tours & Car Hire
5.0/5 – 3 Reviews
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½-Day Safari in Nairobi National Park
$149 pp (USD)
Kenya: ½ Day tourShared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Nairobi NP, Nairobi (End)
Afrikan Accent Adventures
5.0/5 – 23 Reviews
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1-Day Nairobi City Escape in a Landcruiser
$204 to $215 pp (USD)
Kenya: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Nairobi NP, Nairobi (End)
Kameraz of Afrika
4.8/5 – 98 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
1-Day Nairobi Top Wildlife Attractions
$304 pp (USD)
Kenya: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi
Morning Star Tours & Travel
4.9/5 – 165 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
½-Day Nairobi National Park Adventure
$165 pp (USD)
Kenya: ½ Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Nairobi NP, Nairobi (End)
Super Eagles Travel and Tours
4.8/5 – 159 Reviews
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1-Day Lake Nakuru National Park Day-Tour (Midrange)
$242 pp (USD)
Kenya: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Lake Nakuru NP, Nairobi (End)
Kevic Tours and Travel
5.0/5 – 41 Reviews
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1-Day Explore Nairobi National Park
$220 pp (USD)
Kenya: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Nairobi NP, Nairobi (End)
Safari Line Defender
4.8/5 – 67 Reviews
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½-Day Nairobi National Park Wild in the City Safari
$165 pp (USD)
Kenya: ½ Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Nairobi NP, Nairobi (End)
Safari Update Travels
4.7/5 – 179 Reviews
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1-Day Nairobi Park, Giraffe Center/ Sheldrick Tour
$275 pp (USD)
Kenya: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Nairobi NP, Nairobi (End)
Javiva Adventures
5.0/5 – 41 Reviews
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1-Day Amboseli National Park from Nairobi
$380 pp (USD)
Kenya: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Amboseli NP, Nairobi (End)
Back of Africa Adventure
4.8/5 – 84 Reviews
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½-Day Nairobi Park Tour
$165 pp (USD)
Kenya: ½ Day tourShared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Nairobi NP, Nairobi (End)
Kibera Holiday Safaris
5.0/5 – 66 Reviews
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½-Day Nairobi National Park Safari Exprince
$220 pp (USD)
Kenya: ½ Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Nairobi NP, Nairobi (End)
Maasai Mara Train
5.0/5 – 52 Reviews
5 Questions About Kenya Day Trips
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
5 Questions About Kenya Day Trips
What day trips are available in and around Nairobi?
“Several day trips 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 center 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.”
1What day trips are available in and around Mombasa?
“If you find yourself with a day to spare in Mombasa, there are several great options for day trips. 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.”
2Are there day trips to parks or reserves in Kenya?
“There are plenty of day trips 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 trip 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.”
3Is it safe to book a 1-day Kenya safari?
“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 trip 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.”
4Is it possible to see the Big Five on a day trip?
“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 trip. 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.”
5Kenya Reviews
Brian is an award winning travel writer, author of safari books and regular contributor to magazines such as BBC Wildlife and Travel Africa.
Africa for Beginners
Kenya is so easy to get to – just eight hours away by air from London. Fly overnight and you can be in the bush in good time for lunch. Even before you arrive in Nairobi you can see giraffes wandering under the flight path in the city’s...
Alan is a travel writer and author of over 20 Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guides to Southern Africa and Zambia & Malawi.
A Safari Behemoth
In some ways, Kenya rates as the best country for safaris in Africa. That is a contentious statement and many would argue that Tanzania should be given that title. Whichever way you go, Kenya is undeniably a destination which will fulfill...
Amazing experience
We visited Amboseli, Lake Naivasha and Masai Mara. Our safari company was Unscripted Safaris who were very helpful and professional throughout. A special mention for our guide/driver Daniel who was exceptional - very knowledgeable and went...
Excellent Safari Experince
I booked a trip with Leisure Escape Safari. They did an excellent job. The trip to Kenya was very good. Hospitable people. I visited four national parks. I started in Nairobi and first visited Amboseli, then Naivasha Lake, Nakuru Lake and...
It was simply beautiful
We really enjoyed the tour. The vastness of the parks is impressive. There is something to discover everywhere. The landscape alone is fantastic. Watching the animals makes it even more exciting. Our driver Maromaro was very friendly and...
Great sights on the Mara
I had a great stay in Masaai Mara. It was my second time and there are so many incredible sights. We got very close to a group of elephants and saw an interesting encounter with a pack of hyenas following a big cheetah. I really enjoyed it!...