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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 – 84 Reviews
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Best Seller
1-Day Masai Mara Day Safari
$853 pp (USD)
Kenya: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Ongeri Expeditions
5.0/5 – 86 Reviews
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½-Day Nairobi National Park Tour in Kenya
$135 pp (USD)
Kenya: ½ Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Nairobi NP, Nairobi (End)
Kichaka Tours and Travel
5.0/5 – 61 Reviews
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1-Day Crescent Island Sanctuary Lake Naivasha
$110 pp (USD)
Kenya: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Crescent Island (Lake Naivasha), Nairobi (End)
Kenya Bush Expeditions
4.8/5 – 74 Reviews
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1-Day Nairobi Parks, City Culture & Nightlife Experience
$440 pp (USD)
Kenya: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi
Kudu Hills Safaris
4.9/5 – 15 Reviews
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1-Day Nairobi Park Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Center
$165 pp (USD)
Kenya: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Nairobi NP, Nairobi (End)
African Beast Tours and Safaris
4.6/5 – 11 Reviews
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1-Day Nairobi National Park Safari Adventure
$209 pp (USD)
Kenya: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Nairobi NP, Nairobi (End)
Oloropa Tours & Travel
5.0/5 – 7 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 – 9 Reviews
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1-Day Diani Tour to Tsavo National Park
$209 pp (USD)
Kenya: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Diani Beach (Start), Tsavo East NP, Diani Beach (End)
Buffalo Steps Adventures
5.0/5 – 1 Reviews
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1-Day Nairobi City Escape in Minivan
$165 to $176 pp (USD)
Kenya: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Nairobi NP, Nairobi (End)
Kameraz of Afrika
4.8/5 – 105 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
1-Day Nairobi National Park and Giraffe Center
$198 pp (USD)
Kenya: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Giraffe Centre (Nairobi), Nairobi (End)
Super Eagles Travel and Tours
4.8/5 – 188 Reviews
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1-Day Nairobi National Park & Urban Sight Seeing
$198 pp (USD)
Kenya: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Nairobi NP, Nairobi (End)
Camptrek Safaris
5.0/5 – 57 Reviews
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1-Day Nairobi Top Wildlife Attractions
$304 pp (USD)
Kenya: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi
Morning Star Tours & Travel
4.9/5 – 214 Reviews
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1-Day Lake Naivasha Tour
$259 pp (USD)
Kenya: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Lake Naivasha (Naivasha), Nairobi (End)
Trav-Interactive
4.9/5 – 27 Reviews
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½-Day Nairobi National Park, Elephant & Giraffe Centre
$297 pp (USD)
Kenya: ½ Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi
Extra Miles Unique Adventures
5.0/5 – 81 Reviews
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½-Day Elephant Sheldrick and Nairobi National Park
$245 pp (USD)
Kenya: ½ Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Nairobi NP, Nairobi (End)
Javiva Adventures
5.0/5 – 46 Reviews
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½-Day Nairobi National Park & Giraffe Centre
$176 pp (USD)
Kenya: ½ Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Nairobi NP, Nairobi (End)
Adventure 360 Africa
5.0/5 – 67 Reviews
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1-Day Taste of Lake Nakuru National Park
$275 to $303 pp (USD)
Kenya: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Lake Nakuru NP, Nairobi (End)
Starluck Travel
4.7/5 – 18 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
½-Day Exploring Nairobi National Park
$363 pp (USD)
Kenya: ½ Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Nairobi NP, Nairobi (End)
Africa Flash Mc Tours & Travel
4.8/5 – 318 Reviews
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1-Day Nairobi National Park and Excursions
$187 pp (USD)
Kenya: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Nairobi NP, Nairobi (End)
Antonio Safaris
5.0/5 – 49 Reviews
5 Questions About Kenya Day Trips
![Ariadne van Zandbergen](https://cloudfront.safaribookings.com/assets/experts/84x84/Ariadne_van_Zandbergen.jpg)
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
![](https://cloudfront.safaribookings.com/assets/experts/42x42/Ariadne_van_Zandbergen.jpg)
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
![](https://cloudfront.safaribookings.com/assets/experts/42x42/Brian_Jackman.jpg)
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...
![](https://cloudfront.safaribookings.com/assets/experts/42x42/Alan_Murphy.jpg)
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...
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Breathtaking experience to be experienced by all.
I absolutely loved everything about my visit to Kenya. The food, atmosphere, people, culture, and animals were amazing. I felt welcomed in every part of the country. The safari was life altering. To be up close to the animals in their...
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Kenya is a diverse and vibrant country in East Africa, known for its stunning landscapes, rich wild
We were on safari in Kenya, known for its incredible landscapes, rich wildlife and vibrant culture. We spent 2 days in the Masai Mara National Reserve, one of the most famous reserves in the world. It is famous for the annual Great...
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Amazing trip in Tsavo
The tour organised through Safari bookings, with Ultimate Africa Expeditions, has been perfect. Super organisation, very kind and efficient driver, great places. The second hotel (Zoi) was not that great (food very average, bed...
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Kenya has incredible wildlife, very nice people and a good climate
We went on a 5-days safari in Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha. We got to sees all the "Big 5" and lots of other animals. Incredible to sit on the terrace by the lodge outside Masai Mara, and watch a hippo in the water. The...