How to spend a Perfect Day in Naivasha (itinerary + tips)

We were in the middle of our now annual Perfect Week when my friend invited me out to join them in Naivasha. At that point, I had been running on 4 hours of day-time sleep and staying up all night for a week straight. So naturally, I said..... YES! I am so glad I did, because it turned out to be one of those trips I’ll remember not just for the sights, but for the rhythm of the day, from the early morning quiet to all three of us falling asleep in the car on the way home.

Here’s how the day unfolded, and exactly how you can enjoy it too.

7:00 a.m.

We left Nairobi just before 7:30, taking the scenic truck route out toward Naivasha. Traffic was light, the sky was wide, and as we approached the Great Rift Valley, the first breathtaking moment appeared: the Great Rift Valley lookout point. I still rememeber the first time I saw it on my maiden visit to Kenya. 4, maybe 5 times later, it is still pure magic! Think wide horizons, rolling hills, and granite rising from the earth.

ugh! This pic doesn't even do it justice.

Along the way, we passed another charming landmark: the Italian Church, one of the smallest churches in Kenya, and I want to belive in the world. It’s tiny but visually striking, an easy photo stop for travellers with a bit of time on their hands.

9:00–11:00 a.m.

Our first true destination was Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake known for its birdlife and hippo populations. Getting out into the water immediately shifts your senses: cool breeze, water lapping, birds calling overhead.

Highlights of this particular boat tour:

• Pelican feeding: These birds, with their huge beaks, are surprisingly friendly when food is offered, and apparently it was hilarious to my friends to watch me be scared. Yes, I work to protect the environment but those birds are really intimidating looking.

  
  

• Fish eagle sightings: Also known as the African fish eagle, and Zambia's national bird (bet you didn't know that!), as it's featured on our flag, and when I heard the sound it makes, I was like...wait...that's the sound they play right before the 19:00 main news on ZNBC!!

  Feeding the fish eagles was so special

• Hippos: Dozing in shallow spots, their snorts and movement feel like part of the rhythm of the lake... and also a menacing threat to stay away.

Even though I’ve visited before, the lake has a way of feeling freshly magical each time.

11:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.

From the boat landing, we headed to Crescent Island, a private-ish game sanctuary that was partially used for the filming of Out of Africa.

During the walk, we saw giraffes, zebras, waterbuck, and impala. This walk on foot is quiet, immersive, and peaceful. If you love animals and open plains, it’s a must. It was relatively dry at the start, and felt like walking through a desert, and then suddenly it became lush and green again.

Cost tip: For residents, the entry fee to Crescent Island is around KES 1,100 as of January 2026  (and a bit higher for non-residents). Definitely worth it.

12:00–2:00 p.m.

Next stop was Hell’s Gate National Park, named for the steam-venting volcano that once dominated the region. While the volcano is 'dormant', the heat beneath the earth is anything but gone, but more on that later.

We didn’t cycle (an option many visitors choose), but instead explored by car with a guide who had an eye for wildlife. Sightings included Zebra again, vultures, and rock hyraxes; small, adorable creatures that are surprisingly not very good at survival, as we were able to almost cuddle a little baby one.

Then came the hike through the gorge, a dramatic geological canyon carved by millennia of erosion and volcanic activity. The walls towered above us, speckled with earth tones and layers that felt ancient and alive all at once. The route varies in difficulty depending on where you choose to explore, but the sections we tackled felt moderate to easy. Bring good shoes (Timbs were absolutely perfect for this) and plenty of water.

Fun fact: The geothermal activity in Hell’s Gate is real, and has been harnessed by a company called KenGen to produce electricity for much of Kenya. Apparently, if KenGen were to shut down, the volcano would erupt because they are redirecting that heat to produce geothermal electricity. Without diving too deeply into volcanology (though it’s fascinating), know that you’re walking in a place with literal heat under its feet.

3:30–5:00 p.m.

After all that land exploration, we finally reached the geothermal spa, where hot mineral-rich waters from deep underground are pumped into a bathing pool. The sulfur-tinged water felt sooo hot and therapeutic; perfect after hiking. It was perhaps too therapeutic because I could not fully open my eyes, and I wanted nothing more than to fall asleep.... in the water. We swam and soaked for a while, letting the day’s rhythm slow down and sink into our muscles.

Post-soak, we stayed by the pool for lunch and had goat Nyama choma, chicken, kachumbari, chips and soda. We were all starving, so we ate in silence and went back in the water for one last dip.

5:30–7:45 p.m.

As planned, we left Naivasha in the early evening and headed home. The ride back was quiet for all three of us because we were fast asleep, a testament to how fulfilling the day had been. I was so fulfilled and happy about the day that I IMMEDIATELY sat down to blog about it. This is the most 'in-real-time' blog I have ever put together in my 6 years of being a part-time travel and lifestyle blogger.

Okay, now that you are thoroughly convinced that you want to visit Naivasha, here are some travel tips for your day trip.

What to wear

• Light layers (make sure the last layer is super warm because the morning was cold) + quick-dry pants

• Comfortable walking shoes/boots

• Hat/sunscreen

• Swimsuit under base layers

• Change of clothes + sandals for spa/lunch

  
  

Essentials to pack

• Sunscreen

• Sunglasses

• Water bottle

• Phone power bank

• Small towel + spare underwear

• Snacks (shout out to Ashref for the best cheese sandwich)

  
  

Timing

Start early; the earlier you depart Nairobi, the more relaxed the day feels. Traffic on a Friday afternoon can influence the return time, so aim to leave Naivasha by around 5:30 p.m. if you want to be home before dark. We got back to Nairobi around 19:45.

If you loved this itinerary or want to tweak it for a longer trip, let me know; I’d love to join, LOL!