Great Rift Lakes Circuit

The Great Rift Lakes Circuit leads through the Great Rift Valley’s heart: escarpments, acacia woodland, shimmering lakes, steaming springs, and bird-rich shores.

This 4-day journey weaves Lake Naivasha, Lake Bogoria, and Lake Baringo into a compact, nature-focused route without rush—ideal for observation, photography, and genuine encounters. Between Great Rift Valley View Point, Menengai Volcano, and calm shorelines, panoramas meet detail: waterbirds, geothermal fields, community insights, and quiet boat rides. Lodges sit close to water and nature, so the Great Rift Lakes Circuit also works outside activities: sunrise by the lake, dusk over fumaroles, stars above the savanna.
At Lake Naivasha Crescent Camp, you stay right on the shore—perfect for golden-hour boating and the Crescent Island walking trail among giraffes and zebras. Lake Bogoria Spa Resort offers thermal pools while Geysers & Hot Springs hiss nearby. Tumbili Cliff Lodge perches above Lake Baringo with sweeping views and short access to the Ruko Community Conservancy.
Bring neutral clothing, sun protection, hat, binoculars, camera, dust cover for gear. Best seasons: Jan–Mar & Jul–Oct. Roads mostly paved; reserve entries may require 4×4.
Why this experience is exceptional – Great Rift Lakes Circuit: without noise, without rush, with real encounters and generous space for peace and photography. The Great Rift Lakes Circuit blends geothermal wonders, avifauna, island worlds, and community experiences into a dense yet relaxed lakes itinerary.

Key Highlights – Great Rift Lakes Circuit

Crescent Island Walking Safari: among giraffes, zebras, waterbuck at Naivasha
Lake Bogoria Geysers & Hot Springs: geothermal fields up close
Flamingo viewing at Bogoria: seasonal pink swathes on shallow shores
Ruko Community Conservancy: guided nature & community walk with local guide
Lake Baringo boat & birding: island stop, fish eagles, bee-eaters, monitor lizards

Species by Region – Great Rift Lakes Circuit

Ruko Community Conservancy: impala, zebra, antelope variety; raptors; cultural landscapes

Lake Naivasha & Crescent Island: giraffe, zebra, waterbuck, hippo; African fish eagle, pelican, kingfishers, herons, cormorants

Lake Bogoria National Reserve: lesser & greater flamingo (seasonal), pelican, African fish eagle; klipspringer, dik-dik, baboon; geothermal focus

Lake Baringo & islets: Nile crocodile, Nile monitor; bee-eaters, weavers, glossy starlings, owls; frequent fish-eagle action

Overview

Itinerary

Overview

Itinerary

Overview

This 4-day journey runs through contrasting Rift Valley landscapes: Lake Naivasha, Lake Bogoria, and Lake Baringo combine boat adventures, Crescent Island walk, Geysers & Hot Springs, and community insights in Ruko Conservancy. The Great Rift Lakes Circuit favors calm over haste: watch, photograph, pause—with panorama stops at the Great Rift Valley View Point and the Menengai Volcano. Ideal for nature and bird lovers seeking Kenya’s serene lakes.

Highlights

Great Rift Valley View Point – sweeping escarpment panorama
Menengai Volcano/Crater – caldera views & short rim walk
Boat & birding at Lake Baringo – 450+ bird species, fish eagles, kingfishers.
Ruko Community Conservancy – nature & community walk with local guides.
Prime-location lodges – close to the water, perfect for sunrise and sunset.
Crescent Island Walking Safari – on foot among giraffes & zebras

Day 01 :

Nairobi → Lake Naivasha (≈100 km / 2.5 h drive)

Morning (06:30 pickup): Hotel pickup, briefing. Descent into the Rift. Photo stop: Great Rift Valley View Point (20–25 min) for escarpment vistas. Continue to Naivasha. (Nairobi–View Point ≈1 h; View Point–Naivasha ≈1.5 h)
Midday: Arrive Lake Naivasha Crescent Camp, check-in, lunch (≈60 min).
Afternoon (≈15:30–18:00): Boat on Lake Naivasha: hippos, pelicans, fish-eagle strikes. Then Crescent Island walking safari (60–75 min) amid giraffes and zebras.
Evening: Dinner, image review & tips for Bogoria.
Usiku mwema – Tutaonana kesho!

Day 02 :

Lake Naivasha → Menengai Volcano → Lake Bogoria (≈180 km / 3.5–4 h drive)

Early breakfast (06:30): Check-out; depart via Nakuru. (Naivasha–Nakuru ≈1.5 h)
Late-morning stop: Menengai Volcano/Crater (45–60 min at rim) – caldera views, optional easy rim walk (≈20 min).
Continue: Nakuru → Lake Bogoria National Reserve (≈1.5–2 h).
Midday: Check-in Lake Bogoria Spa Resort, lunch (45–60 min), optional thermal-pool break.
Afternoon (≈15:30–17:30): Geysers & Hot Springs visit; flamingo lookout along shallow shores (season-dependent).
Evening: Dinner, starry night over fumaroles.
Usiku mwema – Tutaonana kesho!

Day 03 :

Lake Bogoria → Lake Baringo (≈45 km / 1–1.25 h drive)

Morning: Easy Bogoria shoreline stroll (30 min) for soft morning light. Depart to Baringo.
Midday: Arrive Tumbili Cliff Lodge, check-in, lunch (60 min).
Afternoon (≈15:00–17:30): Lake Baringo boat excursion: island stop (30 min), fish-eagle show, monitor lizards, bee-eater colonies.
Late afternoon/evening (optional 17:45–18:45): Ruko Community Conservancy – guided nature & community walk.
Evening: Dinner, blue hour over the lake.
Usiku mwema – Tutaonana kesho!

Day 04 :

Lake Baringo → Elementeita View Point → Nairobi (≈270 km / 5–5.5 h drive)

Morning: Sunrise breakfast, check-out. (Baringo–Nakuru ≈3 h)
Panorama stop: Lake Elementeita View Point (15–20 min) – soda-lake vistas & escarpment lines.
Midday: Lunch stop in Nakuru (≈45 min).
Afternoon: Drive to Nairobi (Nakuru–Nairobi ≈2–2.5 h), afternoon arrival, end of the Great Rift Lakes Circuit.
Kwaheri! – See you soon! We look forward to welcoming you back to Jungle Roar Safaris soon. Until then, may the wild stay in your heart.