This private three-day safari combines Lake Naivasha with the Aberdare highlands, beginning and ending in Nairobi. The two-night route spends one night at Naivasha and one in the Aberdare area. The included boat ride and guided Crescent Island walk introduce Naivasha’s lake and grassland habitats. An Aberdare forest game drive follows on day two, with a morning game drive before the Nairobi return on day three. Waterhole viewing depends on the selected property. Budget, Mid-Range and Luxury accommodation options are available, with Full Board and a private Land Cruiser 4×4 or Safari Minivan for the road safari. The quotation specifies the selected arrangements and their price.
Trip Highlights
Lake Naivasha boat ride
Included guided Crescent Island walk
Aberdare forest game drive
Final morning game drive before returning to Nairobi
One Naivasha night and one Aberdare-area night
Budget, Mid-Range or Luxury accommodation
Private Land Cruiser 4x4 or Safari Minivan
Itinerary
The three-day safari travels from Nairobi to Lake Naivasha for the included boat ride and Crescent Island walk, then continues to the Aberdare area for forest game viewing. A morning game drive completes the wildlife programme before the road return to Nairobi. Waterhole viewing depends on the selected property.
Day 01 :
Nairobi to Lake Naivasha: Boat Ride and Crescent Island
The safari begins with the road journey from Nairobi to Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley. An included boat ride explores the freshwater lake, with views of its papyrus margins, shoreline habitats and the birds and hippos encountered on the water. The programme also includes the guided Crescent Island walk. Following the sanctuary’s visitor routes, the walk gives a ground-level view of the grassland landscape and the free-ranging wildlife encountered there. The boat ride and island walk introduce the lake environment before the journey continues to the Aberdare highlands the following day.
10 hours
Lunch + Dinner
Day 02 :
Lake Naivasha to Aberdare: Forest Game Drive
The journey continues from Lake Naivasha to the Aberdare area for a forest game drive in Aberdare National Park. The drive follows permitted park roads through the highland landscape, exploring forest habitats with your private guide. Viewing stops focus on the mammals, birds and vegetation encountered along the route, with the guide explaining the character of this mountain ecosystem. The forest setting provides a different wildlife experience from the open lakeside scenery of Naivasha. Waterhole viewing forms part of the stay only where the selected property provides that facility; it is not an included night drive or a promise of animals arriving.
9 hours
Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner
Day 03 :
Aberdare Morning Game Drive and Nairobi Return
A morning game drive provides a final opportunity to explore Aberdare National Park before the road return to Nairobi. Your guide follows permitted vehicle routes and selects viewing stops around the wildlife encountered in the forest landscape. The outing completes the highland wildlife stage of the safari, without promising a particular species or extending the programme into an unconfirmed walking route. After leaving the Aberdare area, the private road journey returns to Nairobi, where the three-day safari ends.
7 hours
Breakfast
Cost Details
What's Included
Road transfers from Nairobi throughout
Boat safari on Lake Naivasha
Aberdare National Park entry fees
Professional safari guide throughout
Two nights full board accommodation
Lake Naivasha conservation fee
Drinking water throughout
Crescent Island walk at Lake Naivasha
What's Not Included
International flights to Nairobi
Kenya electronic travel authorisation (eTA) fees, where applicable
Travel and medical insurance
Tips and gratuities
Alcoholic and premium beverages
Personal expenses
FAQs
What is the three-day route
The safari travels from Nairobi to Lake Naivasha, then the Aberdare area and back to Nairobi. The two nights are divided into one at Naivasha and one in the Aberdare area.
Which activities are included
Day one includes the Lake Naivasha boat ride and guided Crescent Island walk. Day two includes an Aberdare forest game drive, followed by a morning game drive on day three before the Nairobi return.
Does this programme include Hells Gate or a gorge walk
No. The three-day programme does not visit Hells Gate and does not include cycling or a gorge walk.
Is a treetop lodge or waterhole viewing guaranteed
No. The selected accommodation determines whether lodge-based waterhole viewing is available. A treetop lodge, floodlit salt lick, animal-alert system and night game drive are not guaranteed inclusions.
Which accommodation and vehicles are available
Budget, Mid-Range and Luxury accommodation options are available, with a private Land Cruiser 4×4 or Safari Minivan for the road safari. The quotation identifies the selected properties, vehicle, dates and party, and the price for those arrangements; these options do not necessarily have the same price.
Which meals are included
Full Board applies. The daily meal plan includes lunch and dinner on day one, breakfast, lunch and dinner on day two, and breakfast on day three.
Are wildlife sightings guaranteed
No. Game drives and the lake and island activities focus on the wildlife encountered along the permitted routes. The programme does not guarantee a rare forest species, a particular animal at a waterhole or a fixed list of sightings.
Safari Route Map
A sense of the journey
Your route, at a glance.
3 days2 nightsKenya
Nairobi → Lake Naivasha → Aberdare → Nairobi
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Find your journey on the map.
Tap a stage below to explore the journey.
Location markers are approximate. Connections show the journey sequence, not roads, exact driving distances or live vehicle tracking. The itinerary sets out each stage.
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$390/ Adult
Private safari for your party
Budget, Mid-Range or Luxury accommodation
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4.9
Based on 655 reviews
Fernando Estaragues
It was a really good experience, it's totally recommended, the service of the office guys is good, they answer to you everytime and with a lot of enthusiasm.The truck was reallyIt was a really good experience, it's totally recommended, the service of the office guys is good, they answer to you everytime and with a lot of enthusiasm.The truck was really good with a lot of personalized service.The guide was the best one, fully recommended our guide, Kelvin Ndolo, he drive through all the safari to let us catch some good pictures, the service is really good with him, he was a nice person with a lot of experience, telling you about everything in Kenya in general, nice time with him, helping, giving advices, experienced man.He is el chingon!!In general we can say that we wouldn't be in a better tour and guide for the first experience in Kenya!…
Ric K
Kevin is amazingly very responsive, flexible, prompt, a true professional, exceptional communicator! Everything was smooth, zero bumps on tour l made at very short notice of lessKevin is amazingly very responsive, flexible, prompt, a true professional, exceptional communicator! Everything was smooth, zero bumps on tour l made at very short notice of less than 6 hours in adance!
Calvin, the tour guide is amazing too: prompt pick up on the dot; great and very clear verbal communication, very professional!…
Marc-Antoine Ladouceur
I booked a four-day trip with Rustic Nature Tour (Safari tour) in Kenya at the very last minute, and they absolutely nailed it. They put together a beautiful itinerary, adapted toI booked a four-day trip with Rustic Nature Tour (Safari tour) in Kenya at the very last minute, and they absolutely nailed it. They put together a beautiful itinerary, adapted to my preferences, at a price that really surprised me, in a good way. My guide was fantastic, not just knowledgeable about wildlife but also about the socialBiophysical environmental, geomorphology and human stories behind the places we visited. Everything just flowed. I couldn’t be happier with the experience and highly recommend them to anyone looking for an authentic Kenyan adventure…
Ang C
Our guide Faith was knowledgeable and accommodating. She knew exactly what time the activities started and exactly where to go to secure the best positions so that we could getOur guide Faith was knowledgeable and accommodating. She knew exactly what time the activities started and exactly where to go to secure the best positions so that we could get the best views. She knew the giraffes by name and their temperaments and took photos/videos for us while we fed the giraffes. Lovely day! Note that tour does not include admission fee to Nairobi National Park.…
Katie Richards-Schuster
Kelvin and Rustic Nature Tours were the absolute best choice for the two day trips we did during our time in Nairobi. We could not have asked for a better experience. The tripsKelvin and Rustic Nature Tours were the absolute best choice for the two day trips we did during our time in Nairobi. We could not have asked for a better experience. The trips were completely seamless. We had terrific communication beforehand in preparation for the experiences, and we felt that all aspects were accounted for. Kelvin was absolutely exceptional as a guide. He was very knowledgeable about the animals, the local history, and the elements of the safari experience. His ability to navigate us to exactly the spots where we could see the most, be the closest, and truly experience all that Kenya has to offer.For the first-day experience, we traveled to Amboseli. People in our group really wanted to see elephants. And elephants we saw! Kelvin helped position the Land Cruiser so that we had multiple herds of elephants (including babies) walk in front of the vehicle, less than 10 feet away!! It was a memorable sight. We also saw lions, zebras, wildebeests, birds (of all kinds), giraffes, and so much more. Kelvin has a college degree in wildlife management, and he is both extraordinarily knowledgeable and professional in the trip. He answered our questions, provided information, and helped us experience the wildlife in the safest manner possible. I would definitely recommend taking the Land Cruiser over the Safari van. The roads in the park are bumpy, and the Land Cruiser ensured a safe, comfortable ride while also getting us into the perfect spot to see the animals. After 4 hours or so in the park, we headed to a beautiful lodge to eat. The food and experience at the lodge were wonderful. After that, we did another drive before leaving to head back to Nairobi. A long but unbelievable day!For the second experience, we headed to Nairobi National Park, then the Sheldrick Elephant Trust, Kobe Beads, lunch, and the Giraffe Center. Again, Kelvin was a masterful guide. In the park, he got us close to hippos, rhinos, zebras, giraffes, ostriches, and even a crocodile- among many other animals. He found the perfect spots and maneuvered the vehicle just right (and sometimes even off the beaten path) to make sure we saw the best views of the animals (again, we recommend the Land Cruiser for the best experience!). After talking with others who took different trips to Nairobi National Park, we realized how special our visit was. Many of them didn’t have Kelvin guiding them and, as a result, missed seeing all that we saw. We can’t emphasize enough how amazing Kelvin is. From there, Kelvin got us to the Elephant Sanctuary. He had the tickets already set, so all we needed to do was walk in, and then he got us to the perfect spot where we could be feet away from baby elephants, a baby rhino, and a baby zebra. Truly spectacular! After that, we visited a local bead factory that is a microenterprise supporting local women. We had a tour, learned about the beading process, and then had the opportunity to visit their shop (no hassling or pressure to buy- but we did get some beautiful items!). Then to a hidden garden for lunch at a local restaurant, and then finally to the giraffes. By the time we got to the giraffes, it was very busy, but again, Kelvin worked his magic to get us through the line quickly (we felt like VIPs!) and to the perfect spot to feed them. He clearly knows the staff, as he was able to get us pictures and even additional food to feed the animals. After a long day, he masterfully navigated traffic (which is no joke) to return us to the hotel.All in all, our time in Kenya would not have been the same without Kelvin and Rustic Nature Tours. We can’t recommend their tours any higher. You will not be disappointed!!!…
Lynsey B
Amazing morning to the elephant orphanage and Giraffe sanctuary. Faith our guide was lovely she was waiting for us at pick up time and was helpful and informative all day. SheAmazing morning to the elephant orphanage and Giraffe sanctuary. Faith our guide was lovely she was waiting for us at pick up time and was helpful and informative all day. She made sure we got to the front of the queue so we had a great space to see the Elephants. I would highly recommend this trip.…
Andrew Caird
The short version: If you want a hassle-free, very professional, highly educational safari with a connected and very experienced guide, simply book Calvin through Rustic NatureThe short version: If you want a hassle-free, very professional, highly educational safari with a connected and very experienced guide, simply book Calvin through Rustic Nature Tours and get the Land Cruiser.The longer version: We found Rustic Nature Tours through Tripadvisor, then spent a lot of time on their website learning about the different tours. We settled on a day in Amboseli and part of a day in Nairobi National Park, including the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, the Giraffe Centre, and the Kobe Tough bead center.On the first day - our trip to Amboseli - Calvin picked us up at our hotel in a very clear and modern Toyota Land Cruiser HAL (a Land Cruiser retrofitted with a reinforced chassis, a pop-up roof, and other safari-appropriate changes) and drove us through the "free-form" Nairobi traffic (if you haven't spent years driving in Nairobi, do not - and i cannot emphasize this enough - start now). Calvin got us safely to Amboseli where he proceeded to have (what seemed to us) a sixth sense about where the interesting animals and birds were, how to position the Land Cruiser to give us the best vantage points for viewing and photographing. We saw elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, Thompson's gazelles, hawks (and many, many other birds), lions, and a bunch of other animals. All along the way, Calvin identified everything we were looking at (and, very patiently, identified them again and again as we would forget or get confused) and explained their role in the Kenyan (and African) ecosystem and cultures. Calvin is University-educated in this, and the breadth and depth of his knowledge is evident.Our second trip was two days later, and was no less amazing than the first trip, but it was much closer to Nairobi - it is about 10km from the middle of the city to the park. Here we saw rhinos, hippos, more zebras, bison, rock hyraxes, crocodiles, ostriches, etc. As in Amboseli, Calvin had incredible sense of where the animals were and how to get his safari truck in just the right position. At the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the Giraffe Centre Calvin knew how to help us avoid the crowds, get great viewing positions, and make the most of our time in each place. I can't imagine trying to navigate either of those without a guide and get the same experience. You could do it, but it is 100x better with a guide (at least with Calvin). Lastly, the Kobe Tough bead center is an amazing place that helps women in Kenya and it is very lovely - no haggling and absolutely beautiful bead work. It is 100% worth visiting.Rustic Nature Tours handled all of the park registrations and entry fees; all of the entrances were very smooth (at least from my perspectice, I don't know what magic Calvin was working).The combination of Rustic Nature Tours organization and Calvin's extensive knowledge of the Kenya ecosystem, Land Cruisers, and centres to visit made our experience absolutely incredible. You truly cannot go wrong here.…
susan m
Kelvin was amazing
The tour took us thru Nairobi national park for a morning safari and the number of animals we saw was incredible. Kelvin was constantly in touch with his fellowKelvin was amazing
The tour took us thru Nairobi national park for a morning safari and the number of animals we saw was incredible. Kelvin was constantly in touch with his fellow tour guides and when they saw something we hadn’t already he quickly got us there
We then went to the elephant sanctuary and again Kelvin made sure to get us the best spot to watch. We then proceeded to the giraffe conservation and Kelvin again made sure one of the guides personally toured us around and answered all of our questions. He truly made our day once in a lifetime…
Christina D
Our family—including three children under 6 and my parents—had the BEST three days in Nairobi with Kelvin! He helped kick off our Kenya trip and set the bar incredibly high forOur family—including three children under 6 and my parents—had the BEST three days in Nairobi with Kelvin! He helped kick off our Kenya trip and set the bar incredibly high for the rest of our vacation.Everything was seamless from start to finish. Kelvin went above and beyond to make sure our boys had an amazing time. Even our autistic son, who can be slow to warm up to new people, quickly connected with him. Kelvin was incredibly patient, kind, and wonderful with all of our children.He is extremely knowledgeable and made sure we had the best experience everywhere we went. From finding the perfect spot to watch the elephants at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to sharing insights throughout each tour, he truly made every stop memorable.For reference, we booked day tours to Nairobi National Park, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, the Giraffe Centre, Kazuri Beads, Hells Gate National Park, and Lake Naivasha. Every excursion was well organized and exceeded our expectations.The next time we visit Kenya, we will book our entire trip with Kelvin—from multi-day safaris to lodging and everything in between. We can't recommend him highly enough!…
Rachel Q
Faith was the perfect guide: knowledgeable, passionate and fun to spend the day with. She shared fascinating insights while making everything feel relaxed and enjoyable. TheFaith was the perfect guide: knowledgeable, passionate and fun to spend the day with. She shared fascinating insights while making everything feel relaxed and enjoyable. The visits to the elephant orphanage and giraffe conservation centre were unforgettable and the bead-making experience was a wonderful opportunity to learn about local culture and craftsmanship. Nothing was too much trouble, with her positive energy making the entire day even more special. Thank you, Faith, for an unforgettable experience. Asante sana! 🇰🇪✨🦒🐘💕…
adam dwiggins
We had a fantastic 3 day experience with Rustic Nature Tours! Kelvin was incredibly knowledgeable of everything in and around Nairobi. He was amazing with our 3 young kids asWe had a fantastic 3 day experience with Rustic Nature Tours! Kelvin was incredibly knowledgeable of everything in and around Nairobi. He was amazing with our 3 young kids as well. He has a ton of experience and knows all of the great places to see, eat, and explore in the area.…
kendra
Fantastic experience! Highly recommend but do have your park fees prepaid and a screenshot! Wifi impossible. Be early, and have camera ready!
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