Day trips from Nairobi at a glance
The easiest day trips from Nairobi are the ones close to the city. The Ngong Hills are about 25 km away. Hell's Gate is about 90 km away, and Lake Nakuru is 156 km north-west of Nairobi. Amboseli is much further, so it is not a short outing. Distance and traffic decide how much time you have left at the destination.
Park fees below are the Kenya Wildlife Service rates for 2026. They are per person and do not include your vehicle or activities. For a half day close to the city, see our Nairobi National Park safari page.
Our picks: day trips from Nairobi
Amboseli is a very long day, with about 3.5 hours of driving each way. Hell's Gate and Lake Naivasha make a different kind of day, with options for a bike ride and a boat trip, and the half or full-day park tour is the one that stays in Nairobi.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Amboseli day trip from Nairobi
- Pickup and return in Nairobi
- Minivan or jeep
- Water
The schedule has about 3.5 hours of driving each way and about five hours of game driving in Amboseli, so it is a very long day. The Amboseli park fee is extra.
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Nairobi National Park tour, half or full day
- Hotel transfer
- Driver-guide
- Game drive in the park
Entry to the Giraffe Centre or the Karen Blixen Museum is only included with the matching option. The park fee is extra.
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Hell's Gate bike ride and Lake Naivasha boat trip
- Hotel or airport transfer
- Hell's Gate and Lake Naivasha
- Guide and water
Park entry, bike and boat fees are only in the price with the fee option, so check which option you book. This tour does not visit Nairobi National Park.
Check availability →Day trips and safari options from Nairobi
Park, lake and safari tours that start from Nairobi, with live prices and availability.
Safari day trips from Nairobi compared
Non-resident park fees are per adult and per child in 2026.
| Destination | Distance from Nairobi | Non-resident fee, adult and child | Day trip? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ngong Hills | About 25 km | Ask at the forest station | Yes, it is close to the city |
| Hell's Gate National Park | About 90 km | $50 and $25 | A full day with an early start |
| Lake Nakuru National Park | 156 km | $90 and $45 | A long day; the drive is the main cost |
| Amboseli National Park | 204 to 265 km, by route | $90 and $45 | Not a short trip |
Add your vehicle and any activities to the fees. For most visitors with a single free day, the Ngong Hills or Nairobi National Park itself are the easiest options, while Lake Nakuru and Hell's Gate need an early start and a long day.
Ngong Hills: the closest day out
A forest reserve with ridge walks.
What it is
The Ngong Hills are a forest reserve of 3,077.6 ha, run by the Kenya Forest Service, about 25 km from Nairobi. It is open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is not a national park, so the national park tariff does not apply. Ask at the forest station for the current entry fee.
Walking to the summits
A ranger escort is required for hikes to the summits. Buffalo and other wildlife live here. Stay on the paths, do not feed animals and do not bring single-use plastic bottles.
Getting there by matatu
Matatu 111 runs from the Railways terminus to Ngong, and the entrance is about 2 km further. Matatu 112 goes to Kiserian, for Corner Baridi. Check fares before you board, as fixed prices change.
Hell's Gate, Lake Nakuru and Amboseli
Longer days that need an early start.
Hell's Gate near Naivasha
Hell's Gate is a national park near Naivasha, established on 2 February 1984, with 68.25 km². Walking and cycling are possible in principle, but check whether the gorge is open before you go. The park charges the scenic parks rate, $50 for a non-resident adult.
Lake Nakuru
The park lies 156 km north-west of Nairobi on the A104, and the Main Gate is about 4 km from Nakuru town. Non-residents pay $90 per adult and $45 per child. Read the Lake Nakuru guide to getting there before you decide.
Amboseli
The distance is 204 km via Emali and Iremito or 220 km via Namanga and Meshanani, and up to 265 km depending on the route. Expect 4 to 5 hours each way as a rough guide. The same $90 and $45 fee applies. Use the Amboseli guide to the route to plan it.
Masai Mara: not a day trip like Ngong
Plan it as a separate trip.
Masai Mara is a national reserve, managed by Narok County, and the time to reach it depends on the gate you use. Do not treat it as a short outing from Nairobi. The Masai Mara guide from Nairobi explains the options.
Lake Naivasha is another popular stop near Hell's Gate. Boat fees and swimming rules are best confirmed with the operator on the day. Our guides to Lake Naivasha and Hell's Gate cover both stops in detail.
The closest safari of all: Nairobi National Park
No long drive, but the same park rules.
Hours and fees
The park is on the southern edge of Nairobi and is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., with an exception for overnight guests. A non-resident adult pays $80 and a child $40, and the Nairobi package with the Safari Walk and the Animal Orphanage costs $105 and $55.
Rules in the vehicle
The speed limit is 40 km/h and you keep at least 20 m from wildlife. Stay in the vehicle except at marked places, use existing roads and tracks only, do not feed animals, do not sound the horn and leave single-use plastic at home.
Self-drive or guided
Self-driving is an option in the park, always on existing tracks and never off-road. A guided tour takes the planning off you, and it is the simpler choice for a first visit. See our entry fee page for gates and payment.
Day trips from Nairobi: frequently asked questions
Which day trip from Nairobi is easiest?
For a short day, the Ngong Hills or Nairobi National Park. For a long day, Lake Nakuru or Hell's Gate. Amboseli is a longer journey.
Can I visit Amboseli in one day?
It is not a short trip. The road is 204 to 265 km depending on the route, with about 4 to 5 hours each way as a rough guide, so plan it carefully.
How much are park fees for day trips?
Non-residents pay $50 per adult at Hell's Gate and $90 at Lake Nakuru and Amboseli, with half for children. Vehicle and activities cost extra.
Can I reach the Ngong Hills by public transport?
Yes. Matatu 111 goes from the Railways terminus to Ngong, then it is about 2 km to the entrance.
Is Masai Mara a day trip from Nairobi?
Do not plan it as one. It needs its own trip.
Is this the official Kenya Wildlife Service website?
No. This is an independent guide with no connection to the Kenya Wildlife Service or any tour operator.