Crater Lake Sanctuary Lake Naivasha Boat Ride 1 Day Tour

Our 1-day tour to Crater Lake Game Sanctuary in Lake Naivasha from Nairobi (approximately 8–10 hours) includes a scenic boat ride to spot hippos and birds, plus a walking safari through the volcanic crater to see giraffes and zebras.

Highlights include guided nature walks, crater rim hikes, and optional visits to Crescent Island or Hell’s Gate. The Crater Lake Sanctuary, Lake Naivasha boat ride, and 1-day tour are day excursions from Nairobi to Crater Lake Conservancy, located 10 km from Naivasha town and about 90 km from Nairobi.

The Crater Lake Game Sanctuary in Naivasha, Kenya, offers unique walking safaris and nature trails around a jade-green volcanic crater lake.  Our day tour focuses on experiencing wildlife on foot, including sightings of giraffes, zebras, and colobus monkeys, and a boat ride on the crater lake itself or nearby Lake Naivasha to see hippos and birdlife. 

The tour includes activities such as game drives in Crater Lake Game Sanctuary, a visit to Lake Olodien home to large numbers of flamingoes, lunch at Elsamere – home to the late Joy and George Adamson and an hour-long boat ride on Lake Naivasha.

Crater Lake Sanctuary Tour Activities

✓ Guided Walking Safaris: This is the sanctuary’s highlight, allowing visitors to walk among plains game like giraffes, gazelles, and elands. Experienced guides lead tours to ensure safety, particularly around resident buffalo.

✓ Crater Rim Hike: A scenic trail along the steep rim of the crater provides panoramic views of the emerald-green lake and the surrounding Naivasha basin. A full circular hike is approximately 10 km and takes roughly 4 hours.

✓ Game Drives: While walking is preferred, day and night game drives are available. Night drives are the best opportunity to spot elusive leopards, servals, and aardvarks.

✓ Boat Rides: Some tours include a boat ride on the crater lake itself or nearby Lake Naivasha to see hippos and birdlife.

0600 Hours: Crater Lake Game Sanctuary Lake Naivasha day tour begins with a pickup from your hotel/residence and a journey to the Rift Valley town of Naivasha. En route, we will stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint to enjoy magnificent views of the Rift Valley, Mt Longonot, and Lake Naivasha in the distance.

Our journey continues to Naivasha past the flower farms to Lake Olodien. Lake Olodien was once part of Lake Naivasha, but as water levels have declined over the years, land has now formed between the two lakes.

At times, it has also become home to large numbers of flamingoes that have migrated from Lake Nakuru (because of reduced water and algae levels). From the shore, you can often see hippos and a large flock of cormorants, which are protected there.

Proceed to Crater Lake Conservancy, where you can walk to the rim of this beautiful, small volcanic crater for views down to the emerald-green Crater Lake. At times, flamingo populations have boomed, having also migrated from Lake Nakuru to take up residence here.

With your guide, you can walk through the conservancy area, spotting wildlife such as giraffe, zebra, eland, and gazelle, admiring the variety of plant species, and seeing some of the 400 bird species reported in this area.

1300 Hours: Later, we proceed for lunch at Elsamere – the former home of the late Joy and George Adamson, of Born Free fame. After a sumptuous lunch, relax in the beautiful gardens overlooking the lake. You can also take a nature walk in the gardens to look for bird and plant species found at Elsamere Conservation Centre, or watch a video about the Adamsons and their conservancy work, and see artifacts and paintings in their museum.

1500 Hours: Proceed for a boat ride on Lake Naivasha. The boat ride offers a great opportunity to get close to Cormorants drying their wings, Pink Backed Pelicans, Herons, colorful Kingfishers, and Fish Eagles. Other birds seen around the lake include the Goliath Heron, Jacana, Great White Egret, White-fronted Bee-eater, and the Saddle-billed Stork.

1800 Hours: Return to Nairobi

Full-day excursions starting from Nairobi  (10–12 hours – starting at 0600 Hours)

0600 Hours: Depart Nairobi.
0900 Hours: Arrive at Crater Lake Sanctuary for a guided nature trail and game drive
1300 Hours:  Lunch, often served at the sanctuary’s floating restaurant or at Elsamere
1500 Hours: Optional boat ride or visit to nearby attractions like Crescent Island or Hell’s Gate National Park
1800 Hours: Return to Nairobi

Crater Lake Sanctuary Highlights

Lake Naivasha: A freshwater lake where you take a boat ride to see hippos and diverse birdlife
Wildlife: Sightings often include giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, colobus monkeys, and various water birds
Great Rift Valley Viewpoint: A brief stop for panoramic photos of the escarpment and Mt. Longonot
Crescent Island (Optional): Many tours include a boat drop-off here for a walking safari among giraffes, zebras, and wildebeests
Crater Lake Game Sanctuary: A private sanctuary centered around a green-colored volcanic lake (Lake Sonachi). Activities include a 1–2 hour guided nature walk along the crater rim and a game drive

Our Crater Lake Sanctuary and Lake Naivasha boat ride is a 1-day excursion from Nairobi to Crater Lake Conservancy, located 10 km from Naivasha town and about 90 km from Nairobi.

The tour includes activities such as game drives in Crater Lake Game Sanctuary, a visit to Lake Olodien home to large numbers of flamingoes, lunch at Elsamere – home to the late Joy and George Adamson and an hour-long boat ride on Lake Naivasha.

0700 Hours: Our Lake Naivasha day tour begins with a pickup from your hotel/residence and a journey to the Rift Valley town of Naivasha.

0800 Hours: En route, we will stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint to enjoy the magnificent views of the Rift Valley, Mt Longonot, and Lake Naivasha at a distance.

Our journey continues to Naivasha past the flower farms to Lake Olodien. Lake Olodien was once part of Lake Naivasha, but as water levels have fallen over the years, land has now appeared between the two lakes.

At times, it has also become home to large numbers of flamingoes that have migrated from Lake Nakuru (because of reduced water and algae levels). From the shore, you can often see hippos and a large flock of cormorants, which are protected there.

Proceed to Crater Lake Conservancy, where you can walk to the rim of this beautiful, small volcanic crater for views down to the emerald-green Crater Lake. At times, flamingo populations have boomed, having also migrated from Lake Nakuru to take up residence here.

With your guide, you can walk through the conservancy area, spotting wildlife such as giraffe, zebra, eland, and gazelle, admiring the variety of plant species, and seeing some of the 400 bird species reported in this area.

1230 Hours: Later, we proceed for lunch at Elsamere – the former home of the late Joy and George Adamson, of Born Free fame. After a sumptuous lunch, relax in the beautiful gardens overlooking the lake.

You can also take a nature walk in the gardens to look for bird and plant species found at Elsamere Conservation Centre, or watch a video about the Adamsons and their conservancy work, and see artifacts and paintings in their museum.

1500 Hours: Proceed for a boat ride on Lake Naivasha. The boat ride offers a great opportunity to get close to Cormorants drying their wings, Pink-Backed Pelicans, Herons, colorful Kingfishers, and Fish Eagles.

Other birds seen around the lake include the Goliath Heron, Jacana, Great White Egret, White-fronted Bee-eater, and the Saddle-billed Stork.

1630 Hours: Late afternoon, return to Nairobi.

Crater Lake Sanctuary Lake Naivasha Boat Ride 1-Day Tour Prices Include:

✓ Lunch
✓ Lake Naivasha Boat Ride 
✓ All Park Entry Fees, Service Charge, and Taxes
✓ Services of a professional English-speaking Safari driver guide
✓ Round trip transportation from Nairobi to Crater Lake in Naivasha and back to Nairobi

Dates: 1st January 2026 to 31st December 2026

Notes

* Bring along: Sunhat, sunscreen, drinking water, snack, camera, binoculars, money for souvenirs and gifts
* Other available activities in the sanctuary include: bird walks, bicycle rides, boat rides, horse riding, day game drives, swimming, nature walk

Crater Lake Sanctuary Lake Naivasha Boat Ride 1-Day Tour Prices Excludes:

* Travelers Insurance
* Personal expenses such as drinks
* Gratuity to your Safari Driver Guide
* Optional activities in the stipulated itinerary
* Meals and sightseeing are not included in the package
* Communication charges, visas, international airfares, and airport taxes
* Transfers to/ from the airport (supplement airport transfer cost applies for tours starting from the airport

Mobile: +254-721-242-711
WhatsApp: +254-721-242-711
Reservations: +254 718-179-967
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://africanspicesafaris.com