The Absolute Best Road Trips from Nairobi
Nairobi, the vibrant capital of Kenya, serves as the perfect gateway to some of the most breathtaking road trip destinations in East Africa. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a thrill-seeker, or someone simply looking to escape the city’s hustle and bustle, the opportunities for exploration are endless. From the rolling savannahs of the Masai Mara to the serene shores of Lake Naivasha, and the scenic Great Rift Valley routes to the captivating wilderness of Amboseli, road trips from Nairobi offer a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and stunning landscapes.
DISCLOSURE: This article may contain links. Whenever You purchase any services through any of those links, we get a small commission that really helps. You Do NOT incur any extra costs though. Thank You!
In this article, we’ll take you through some of the best road trips you can embark on from Nairobi. These routes promise not only unforgettable experiences but also a chance to connect with Kenya’s diverse culture, history, and natural beauty. Buckle up and get ready for an incredible journey!
[blockquote align=”none” author=”Mohammed”]Don’t tell me how educated you are, tell me how much you have travelled.[/blockquote]
1. Road Trip Nairobi to Naivasha
Naivasha emerges the high 1st on this list as the overall best destination for a quick weekend road trip from Nairobi. You reach this beautiful town where you can do a few activities in less than two hours.
On the way, visit the Traveler’s Chapel or the Mai Mahiu Church (as it is locally known), about 50 kilometres from Nairobi on the escarpment. Built in 1942 by Italian Prisoners of War, this modest stone Catholic place of worship is believed to be one of the smallest churches in the world. When you arrive in Naivasha, you can participate in activities like
- Walking among wildlife animals like giraffes at Crescent Island, Lake Naivasha
- Take a Game Drive in Hell’s Gate National Park
- Sunrise boat ride on Lake Naivasha for close encounter with the hippos.
- Bathing at the Olkaria Geothermal spa
Depending on how much time you have, and whether you want to spend the night in Naivasha, the extinct volcano Mount Longonot and the thick forest inside its caldera make for a fantastic stopover and give views over the Great Rift Valley from the rim of the caldera.
2. Road Trip Nairobi to Namanga
Namanga is a border town in the countries of Kenya and Tanzania, lying 163 kilometres from Nairobi. You move from Nairobi to the border passing through Kitengela, Isinya and Kajiado. It can be accessed through an expressway dotted only with a few speed bumps, making for a great drive. It is a quiet road, in both directions.
So this is the long part of the journey; from Kajiado Country via Namanga road. Kajiado is a semi-arid area with intermittent hills dotting the plains. You’ll always want to stop and snap photos as you drive by. Just like any border town checkpoint, long lines of trailers line either side of the road waiting to be cleared to enter or exit one of the countries. But if you’re simply headed just to Namanga town, you’ll do a U-turn and head back.
You may decide to cross to Tanzania to taste some of the Swahili food delicacies. A visitor can walk or drive in a radius of around eight kilometres (no man’s land) on either side, without any immigration documents.
3. Trip Nairobi to Oloitokitok
Oloitokitok hides on the Kenya-Tanzania border 227.3 kilometres from Nairobi, and it is also accessible to glorious Mount Kilimanjaro, as would be expected with a southern border village.
This little-known road trip will take you south of Nairobi along the Mombasa route toward Emali. From here, we continue on the road heading towards Oloitokitok. It will take about four hours to reach the border town from Nairobi. Be sure to visit the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro and Amboseli National Park while you are in the region.
4.Trip Nairobi to Lake Magadi
Lake Magadi is situated in the south of Kenya, 106 kilometres from Nairobi. But depending on the vehicle, the trip can take up to five hours. Substantial four wheel drive or high clearance vehicle is highly suggested
If you do not wish to venture too far out of Nairobi yet want big payoff with a stunning lakeside finale, head over to Kenya’s “pink lake,” Lake Magadi. Lake Magadi is a giant, though shallow, lake about 33.5 kilometres long and 3.5 kilometres wide.
Drive past acacia trees and traditional villages toward Lake Magadi’s soda lake, where flamingos and other wading birds make their home. Pack a picnic or eat at the Lake Magadi Sports Club and Tented Camp. It’s a lovely lakeside setting, particularly at sunset, and it offers lovely meals. If you do stay, you can choose among nice rooms or safari tents. Here are other activities and attractions here,
- Kshs 500 Swimming at Lake Magadi Sports Club and Tented Camp
- Love to explore the Masai that live in the place
- Lake Magadi Bird Watching
- Wild Animals
- Olorgesailie Prehistoric Site visit
Try the Hot Springs bath
5. Trip Nairobi to Nanyuki
Nanyuki is in Laikipia County, 195km from Nairobi. Nanyuki is renowned as a gateway to Mount Kenya, the second highest peak on the African continent. It also grants access to the famed Mount Kenya National Park and the Equator, which passes through the southern half of Nanyuki. It’s difficult to not take a selfie at the Equator.
Town center of Nanyuki is bustling with life and it is not overcrowded. It’s perfect for taking home nyama choma, grilled corn and other snacks. The town is a mix of natives living among foreigners. Among the activities and attractions here are
- Check out the adopted animals at the zoo at the Ol Jogi Conservancy’s Wildlife Rescue Centre.
- Ol Pejeta Conservancy game drive
- Take a dip in the aquamarine waters of Ngare Ndare
- A trip to Mau Mau caves and Burguret Falls
- Stretch your muscles at Mt Kenya Climbing Gym Try wall climbing
6. Road Trip Nairobi to Taita Taveta
Taita Taveta county lies in coastal Kenya. It’s 330km from Nairobi through Mombasa Road. So what do you do for a living in Taita Taveta county?
- Tsavo East or West game drive
Tsavo East and West are two of the largest parks in Kenya, renowned for their natural landscapes of hills, craters and rocky scrubland. A 100km highway divides Tsavo West from its sister Tsavo East National Park, so your journey might also be shared with zebras, monkeys, giraffes, and elephants. A section of the road also runs across the railway line, so if you find yourself driving alongside a train, it is a great experience.
- Mzima springs
The walkways along Mzima Springs are well built. You can also get spectacular shots of vervet monkeys, hippos, and countless birds that call the area home.
- A trip to Lake Chala and Lake Jipe
Nestled between Kenya and Tanzania, Lake Jipe is home to more than a hundred hippos and its transparent waters mirror the hills around it and the blue skies above. Go on a boat ride to admire the harmony surrounding the Lake. After 1.5 hours drive (from Jipe) arrive at Lake Chala, a bright blue crater lake. Climb down the crater side and take a swim in the lake.
7. Road trips Nairobi to Sagana
Sagana in Kirinyaga County is but a small town. On the Nairobi-Nyeri route, it is situated 100 kilometres north of Nairobi. It is named for Kenya’s second-longest river, the Sagana, also called the Thagana. Sagana is famous for sporting occasions like,
- White Water Rafting
- Water Gliding at Angel’s bowl
- River Sagana kayaking
- Bungee Jumping
- Trip Aberdare National Park to Nairobi
Aberdare National Park lies around 150km (93 miles) east of Nairobi and is easily reached from Nyeri and Naro Moru. It is 87 km (54 miles) from Naivasha. Aberdare National Park The Aberdare National Park is characterized by majestic peaks, fascinating waterfalls, dense rainforest and open moorlands.
The Park is a Hiker’s, Picnicker’s, Trout fisherman’s, Camper’s and Wildlife lover’s dream with the second largest herd of black rhinos in Kenya and some rare species like the elusive black Leopard and the Mountain Bongos (giant antelopes). The park is also home to elephants, leopards, spotted hyenas, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, buffalos, warthogs and bushbucks.
From here, you’ll find activities and attractions like,
- Bird Watching
- Camping
- Game Viewing
- Photography
- Trekking
9.Nairobi to Samburu (Mt Ololokwe)
It’s a 340-kilometre ride from Nairobi that can take you anywhere from 5-8 hours along one of Kenya’s smoothest, straightest, never-ending highways. On this journey, you’re likely to see more camels than cars, with a chance to witness the ancient art of camel herding along the way.
The flat-topped, 2,000m high Mt. Ololokwe, which rises high above the Samburu plains a little beyond Archers Post in Northern Kenya, is remarkable for its unusual shape and high sheer cliff drops. This peak, called Ol Donyo Sabache locally, has recently emerged as a major draw for those looking for less-trodden, off-the-radar hiking and rock climbing, and the views of the surrounding semi-arid plains and distant mountains from the summit are beautiful.
Book a dawn ascent of Mt. Ololokwe to see the sun slowly light up the beautiful Samburu plains. It is advised to drive a 4×4 car with all terrain tires here.
