Great Rift Valley Lake District
Why holiday in the Great Rift Valley?
Along the Great Rift Valley to the northwest of Nairobi is a collection of shimmering soda lakes in stunning settings. With hundreds of bird species, including pelicans, herons, kingfishers and fish eagles, the area is a paradise for birdwatchers. Lake Nakuru is perhaps the most well-known and famed for its swathes of pink flamingos. Whilst the rising water levels in recent years may have forced the huge flocks to settle elsewhere, the lake is still the seasonal home to over 450 species of birds. Smaller colonies of flamingos may be spotted, in season, around the shores of lakes Elementaita and Bogoria too. Lake Naivasha, the highest of the Rift Valley lakes, is a freshwater lake and attracts a range of wildlife, including hippos and crocodiles.
Surrounding the lakes are National Parks with unique landscapes and opportunities to view wildlife such as rhinos, buffalos, lions and giraffes. Next to Lake Naivasha is Hells Gate National Park, with its dramatic cliffs and gorges while Lake Elementaita is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lakeside retreats and lodges offer beautiful lake views and opportunities for boat rides, fishing or walks through their pleasant grounds. And being just over two hours drive from Nairobi, we often recommend a few days by a lake to relax and unwind before heading onto one of Kenya’s iconic safari destinations.
Discover the Great Rift Valley Lake District
Lake Nakuru Pelican
Beautiful birdlife
Lake views
Sunset on the Lakes
Where to stay in the Great Rift Valley Lakes
The wildlife viewing in the Masai Mara is simply unbeatable. The view of Kilimanjaro is one which just takes your breath away. Kenya has so much to offer for a holiday and is especially great for families.
Nicky, African Pride Tours Consultant
" We had a fantastic time and were incredibly happy with our Kenyan safari and beach stay. It was extremely well planned and well worth the money. Thank you so much for all your help. 😊"
Mrs C via Bay Travel
"A fabulous family holiday!!! We really felt we were in the middle of the Great Migration, right on the Wildebeest trail. It was extraordinary just to see the numbers of them. The balloon ride was stunning. Our Internal flight back was delayed a bit due to thousands of Wildebeest and Zebra crossing the runway for at least half an hour. We couldn’t have wished for a better send off!!"
Family M
"The Sheldrick Orphanage was a great way to spend time in Nairobi - it was lovely to see the young elephants. We obviously adopted one! The tents and food on safari were great! Lots of space and all the amenities we needed. The food throughout was excellent, there were lots of Vegetarian and Vegan options. The whole trip was amazing and we've certainly got some wonderful memories and millions of photos! Everyone we met was so lovely and nothing was too much trouble. "
Family C via Travel Designers
"We were staggered by the professionalism throughout, the care & attention to ensure that we made the best use of our time was heart warming. We did a sundowner helicopter flight resulting in a G+T on a small ridge at 6500 feet watching the sunset… The food at both camps was good enough to serve in any high end restaurant around the world. A Birthday cake arrived on our last night, carried in by all the Masai staff, some dressed in their robes & singing. The trip was a huge success on so many levels. We wouldn’t have changed a thing. Thank you for all the fantastic organising. "
Mr & Mrs L via Travel Counsellors
Travel the Great Rift Valley Lakes Your Way
Guided Journeys
The Lakes area is often featured as a key stopping point for a comprehensive small group tour around Kenya and its main areas of interest. The contrast in scenery and wildlife between here, Samburu and the Mara makes for a great tour. For a more private experience, a similar route can also be done with a private guide tailoring the route exactly to your requirements.
Flying
The option to fly around Kenya always provides a more convenient way to travel and see Kenya from a different perspective whilst flying over the beautiful landscape. Several companies operate a daily ‘circuit’ of light aircraft transfers between the reserves, making it easy to incorporate the different areas into one itinerary. Speak to the team at African Pride for details of the services available.
Lodge Activities
The main activities in this area are very much focused on the lakes and the contrasting experiences they offer to the other reserves in Kenya. Boat trips are a popular way to see the lakes and their inhabitants whilst some lodges offer fishing, horse riding or simply a place to relax to break your safari. Visits to Hells Gate and other lakes in the area are also popular ways to maximise your time.
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From £3,759
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Kenya & the Seychelles
Combine an exciting tour of Kenya's wildlife with the luxury of a Seychelles beach break
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From £3,449
8 Nights
When to travel to the Great Rift Valley Lakes
The best time to visit the Great Rift Valley in Kenya is from January to February and June to October. These months offer better conditions for wildlife viewing, bird watching and exploring the lakes, volcanoes and landscapes as the weather is generally dry with temperatures between 20 to 30 degrees celsius.
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Great Rift Valley Lake District
To the north-west of Nairobi is a collection of Great Rift Valley lakes making up Kenya's very own 'Lake District'.
Why travel with African Pride?
How to plan a holiday
Your choice of holiday and safari to Africa & the Indian Ocean will be unique to you.
Using our extensive knowledge, experience and passion for Africa built up over many years, we are perfectly placed to tailor your personalised itinerary.
Choose your preferred destinations or experiences to include in a holiday
Talk to your travel adviser or us about your holiday requirements
We use our expertise to design an ideal holiday based on your preferences
We use the latest deals and offers for the best price available at the time
Special occasion? We can suggest little extras and hidden gems
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