Discover Kenya: Day Trips From Nairobi

By leah jones

Beautiful Nairobi is a wonderful city that is surrounded by other must-see destinations filled with incredible wildlife. The entire area is fit for unique adventures. 

Here are some great places for day trips from Nairobi to explore even more of the culture Kenya has to offer.

About 20 minutes out from the city, this park offers a chance to see lions, rhinos, giraffes and other wildlife with a backdrop of the city skyline.

Nairobi National Park

You can visit the former home turned museum of Karen Blixen, author of "Out of Africa," showcasing colonial-era history and lush gardens that anyone can enjoy. It's about 30 minutes from Nairobi.

Karen Blixen Museum

Visit the Giraffe Centre, about 30 minutes from Nairobi, for a chance to feed the endangered Rothschild giraffes and learn about the center’s species-saving conservation efforts. 

Giraffe Centre

About 40 minutes from Nairobi is the incredible David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Here you can visit baby elephants that are rescued after losing their mothers and rehabilitated from the wild.

David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park is about a 2.5-hour day trip from Nairobi. Hike to the summit of Ol Donyo Sabuk mountain for panoramic views and spot animals like buffalo, monkeys and birds.

Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park

2-2.5 hours from Nairobi is Lake Naivasha where you can take a boat ride to see hippos and birds. Visit nearby Crescent Island for walking safaris among wildlife.

Lake Naivasha

Hell’s Gate National Park (about 2.5 hours from Nairobi) is a unique destination for biking and hiking among dramatic landscapes, geothermal steam vents, hot springs and wildlife.

Hell’s Gate National Park

Mount Longonot, about a 2-2.5 hour day trip from Nairobi, is a dormant volcano featuring a huge crater to explore after hiking up the mountain. At the top, take in stunning views of the Great Rift Valley.

Mount Longonot

In a one hour day trip from Nairobi you can visit Kiambethu Tea Farm. Explore guided tours of tea farming, the history of this huge import in Kenya, Colobus monkey spotting and delicious lunches in serene gardens.

Kiambethu Tea Farm

In about 1.5 to 2 hours, you can visit Thika, Kenya, where you will find Fourteen Falls and opportunities for picnics, photography, boating, exploring and more.

Thika and Fourteen Falls

Start building your Cape Town bucket list at the link below.

Cape Town Bucket List