Lake Nakuru Day Trip Review: Is Nakurunairobi Pick Worth It?

Planning a visit to Kenya, so a day trip to Lake Nakuru National Park is often near the top of many people’s list, basically because of its gorgeous scenery and, of course, the chance to see some pretty amazing wildlife. With several tour companies offering trips, deciding which one can feel a little bit overwhelming, right? I’m here to share my experiences and to give you an inside look at my day trip with Nakurunairobi Pick, hopefully providing you with some insights that will guide you.

Booking and Preparation with Nakurunairobi Pick

So, the first step in any adventure is the booking, and with Nakurunairobi Pick, it’s, like, super straightforward. Their website, in my experience, is pretty easy to get around, and it provides you with all the important details – itinerary, costs, what is and isn’t included, you know, the works. There are options for different group sizes and, more or less, some room for customization, but you’ll have to reach out directly to arrange these things.

I was actually pretty impressed with how quickly they responded to my emails. Any questions I had before booking were taken care of in a manner that seemed both professional and, at the same time, personable. As for preparation, Nakurunairobi Pick gives you a packing list and some tips. Comfy clothes, a hat, sunscreen, and binoculars were definitely on that list, along with reminding you to bring your camera, of course, for all those photos! They also mention Kenyan Shillings would come in handy should you wish to purchase souvenirs or provide tips during the excursion, it might be a good idea to exchange some of your money prior to the trip.

The Journey Begins: Nairobi to Lake Nakuru

My day started early, like really early, with a prompt pick-up from my hotel in Nairobi. The drive to Lake Nakuru is pretty lengthy, it’s like a three-hour journey, maybe even a bit longer depending on the traffic conditions in Nairobi. The vehicles they use, they appear to be well-maintained safari vans, anyway, they had comfortable seating and, importantly, pop-up roofs that give you awesome viewing opportunities once you’re in the park. The route there has a good look at Kenyan life, it’s almost like witnessing towns, farms, and people moving about their daily lives. It’s pretty cool!

The driver, he also doubles as your guide, I think. He shared quite a bit, that included bits of history and information about Kenya’s geography, which were great for contextualizing our experience. He also kept us updated on what we might see along the way, he was making sure that we didn’t miss out on any photographic opportunities.

Game Drive in Lake Nakuru National Park

And there it was! Entering Lake Nakuru National Park was seriously something else. The landscapes were incredibly vibrant, a stark contrast from the urban setting of Nairobi. It’s not long after entering that the game drive begins, so we set off exploring the park in search of its famous inhabitants. What struck me instantly was the park’s conservation efforts are very strong. It felt, in some respects, really nice to see this area very well maintained.

What to expect: Keep your eyes peeled for the animals. I had several encounters with diverse species, but, actually, it really comes down to the day you decide to visit. During my trip, I viewed thousands of flamingos, both the lesser and greater species. In fact, Lake Nakuru is very famous for that particular experience! However, I hear that some visitors don’t quite see as many on a given day. It all comes down to environmental conditions, which is all part of nature, really. White rhinos are more or less easy to see, they tend to roam the grasslands without any hesitation. We caught the sight of several Rothschild’s giraffes, distinguished by their unique markings, which, as a matter of fact, sets them apart from other giraffe species. The park also hosts buffaloes, zebras, baboons and, you know, with some luck, you might even spot a leopard lazing in the trees! Our guide’s knowledge proved very invaluable. He had a good sense on where certain animals usually hang out, yet he always respected the animal’s space.

Lunch and Leisure

Lunch was, like, very strategically timed to coincide with a midday break at one of the park’s designated picnic sites, anyway, offering stunning views of the lake and surrounding forests. Nakurunairobi Pick provides a packed lunch, a rather straightforward affair comprising sandwiches, fruit, juice, and some snacks. The location contributed significantly to making the occasion more enjoyable. As I recall, watching wildlife from afar, even whilst simply enjoying a quick meal, was simply an extension to what had been a pretty amazing experience!

This break allowed everybody to stretch their legs, so relax, share photos, and talk to each other about our morning adventures. Washroom facilities were available, so it tends to be, in the locations you would expect, but it’s generally advisable to carry some hand sanitizer with you.

Afternoon Game Drive and Return Journey

Post-lunch, so it was back into the safari van for an additional game drive. The afternoon light, it actually offered a different perspective of the park. Animals tend to be more active during the cooler parts of the day, in that case, late afternoon is when they would be at their best, you know. It’s kind of like another chance to spot species that might have eluded you in the morning or simply to observe different animal behaviors. The guide usually kept us interested, sharing stories of animal interactions and the history surrounding Lake Nakuru.

The day concluded with our departure from the park, returning to Nairobi in the late afternoon. The drive back, while a little quieter, as a matter of fact, presented yet another opportunity to reflect on what was seen and to appreciate the vast landscapes of Kenya. So, getting back to Nairobi, I had the hotel drop-off. It was, honestly, just as prompt and smooth as the morning’s pickup, which, really, added a certain convenience to the entire experience.

What Makes Nakurunairobi Pick Stand Out

So, I can touch on a few things that, to me, were important. First of all, there was their guides, you know. From what I could gather, Nakurunairobi Pick seem to employ guides who know a great deal about Kenyan wildlife and conservation. They can point you to almost all of the species of animal, and they know a good amount about each, like what they eat, what are their typical behaviors, and so on. Then, they knew all the very great spots where animals generally congregate, of course taking into consideration the seasonal factors, in order to maximize your chances of animal viewing. They are pretty careful. This added an interesting component to the whole day, to me.

Second, the organization of the excursion stood out. So, everything went as planned and with great coordination, you know, from punctual pickups, well planned game drives, to timely meals, anyway, indicating, it seems, a team with solid logistical planning. Third, they emphasize your safety and comfort: It wasn’t long before I realised their priority for keeping guests very comfortable and safe, that included a smooth and safe transportation, as well as following the park’s rules to ensure animal protection and the well-being of tourists.

Tips for Maximizing Your Day Trip

Planning and getting ready are pretty important for any trip. Booking in advance can really make the planning process so much simpler. By confirming ahead of time, so you could lock in availability and sometimes even take advantage of reduced fares. Confirm the small details: When reserving your space, just like I mentioned previously, ask for more details on everything you have to expect on the trip, just to make certain there will not be any misunderstanding. In doing that, confirm information like transportation, eating arrangements and the number of expected fellow tourist companions in your trip.

As you consider the appropriate clothes, so go with multiple layers, which give a high degree of flexibility to handle Kenya’s variable weather. Earlier in the morning, conditions may start off being quite crisp and cold. After, as things tend to be when the day heats up, one or two layers could become too cumbersome and thus, so better be ready for anything. Wear long sleeves shirts or tops to shield from bugs. Bringing along insect repellent will enhance overall convenience for you. And lastly, regarding protecting yourself from the climate, sunglasses and sunscreen can guard from the sun during game viewing. Think about bringing, like, a cap or any head covering in case it is required. The protection given by such goods greatly allows the enjoyment of animals viewing with no worry about becoming sunburned.

Pros and Cons of Nakurunairobi Pick

Pros:

• Very knowledgeable guides and they show genuine care for conservation.
• Planned out to a very great standard and very timely service.
• The vans tend to be nice and quite comfy and allow fantastic animal views.

Cons:

• Packed lunches, though adequate, tend to be not exciting or adventurous.
• It can become a lengthy commute back and forth between Nairobi and the Lake.
• Sightings depend of course on the animals you seek.

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?

So, in my opinion, yes, I believe that booking a day trip to Lake Nakuru National Park via Nakurunairobi Pick tends to be well worthwhile. The combination of their expert planning skills, along with skilled and enthusiastic tour guides, the focus on customer satisfaction, it usually creates an interesting experience. But bear in mind that personal interests, what you expect of your experience, so will have influence when it comes to whether an experience fits you specifically. To anybody thinking about visiting this place, and that hopes to explore the splendor found there, this one, could be, a very wonderful choice indeed!

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