Overview
This four-day private road safari combines two nights in the Aberdare highlands with one at Lake Naivasha. The park programme explores forest, bamboo and moorland habitats by vehicle, with waterfall scenery around Karuru and Gura and observation from the lodge’s designated waterhole areas. The journey then continues to Naivasha for the included boat ride and Crescent Island walk. Day four returns to Nairobi by road. The programme has no forest walk before leaving the Aberdares and no final-morning Naivasha shoreline walk.
Trip Highlights
- Aberdare forest and high-moorland game drives
- Karuru and Gura waterfall scenery
- Observation from designated lodge waterhole areas
- Included Lake Naivasha boat ride
- Included Crescent Island walk
- Three-night private road circuit through highland and lake habitats
Itinerary
The safari travels from Nairobi into Aberdare National Park. An afternoon game drive explores the forested Salient area, looking for wildlife along the tracks, woodland edges and clearings. The guide interprets the highland environment and observes the animals encountered during the outing. The lodge’s designated waterhole and salt-lick viewing areas provide a further setting for observation as the day closes, beginning the two-night Aberdare stay.
Morning and afternoon game drives explore the Aberdare forest, bamboo and high-moorland landscapes. The waterfall programme includes the Karuru and Gura area, with viewing from the authorised visitor areas. The guide explains the changes in vegetation and looks for wildlife along the park tracks. Forest-edge and waterhole observation complement the wider scenic exploration, providing different perspectives on the highland environment without promising particular animal encounters.
The programme leaves the Aberdares for Lake Naivasha, with no forest walk scheduled before departure. An included boat ride explores the freshwater lake, observing hippos from the vessel and looking for birds around the papyrus and shoreline. The Crescent Island walk is also included, following the sanctuary’s visitor arrangements among its free-ranging plains animals. These water-based and walking experiences provide a contrast to the highland game drives.
The final day is the road return from Lake Naivasha to Nairobi. No shoreline walk is scheduled before departure. The journey completes the combination of Aberdare forest and moorland drives, waterfall scenery and Naivasha’s boat-and-island programme. The safari ends at the arranged Nairobi drop-off point after the three-night circuit, with no further overnight stay included.
Cost Details
What's Included
- All road transfers from Nairobi throughout the safari
- All game drives in a 4x4 safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Three nights full board accommodation
- Afternoon boat safari on Lake Naivasha
- Crescent Island walking safari
- All applicable national park and conservancy entry fees
- Drinking water during game drives
- Complimentary binoculars for use during game drives
What's Not Included
- International flights
- Kenya visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips and gratuities for guide and lodge staff
- Alcoholic and premium beverages
- Horseback riding at Lake Naivasha (optional)
- Cycling safari at Hell's Gate (optional add-on)
- Personal expenses such as laundry and souvenirs
FAQs
Aberdare National Park has montane forest, moorland and waterfalls, with wildlife including elephant and buffalo. Rare forest animals are difficult to observe. Encounters depend on habitat, animal movements and the conditions during your visit.
The Lake Naivasha boat ride and Crescent Island walk are included on day three. The boat experience focuses on hippos and waterbirds viewed from the vessel; the island visit provides wildlife viewing on foot under the sanctuary’s arrangements. There is no final-morning shoreline walk on day four. Hell’s Gate cycling is a separate optional add-on.
Crescent Island Game Sanctuary offers wildlife viewing on foot at Lake Naivasha. Its species list includes giraffe, zebra and waterbuck, as well as hippo and spotted hyena. Follow sanctuary staff instructions; this is not a predator-free or unrestricted walking environment. Sanctuary guides require advance booking to be guaranteed.
Kenya's highlands can be cool, wet and misty, with conditions changing by altitude and time of day. Bring warm layers and waterproof protection for the Aberdares or Mount Kenya. The actual altitude, lodge and activity route determine the conditions; one fixed temperature does not describe every stay.
A private itinerary can be quoted with additional nights, destinations or different services. Changes alter the route, timing and cost and depend on the selected suppliers' availability. The revised written programme identifies what is included; an optional extension is not part of the current booking automatically.
Safari Route Map
A sense of the journey
Your route, at a glance.
Nairobi → Aberdare → Lake Naivasha → Nairobi
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.
Write a Review