Road Trips from Nairobi: Naivasha, Nakuru and the Maasai Mara

Before you set off: roadworks on the Nakuru highway

The main highway north-west from Nairobi towards Naivasha and Nakuru (the A8, which many people still call the A104) is being widened into a dual carriageway between Rironi, near Limuru, and Mau Summit. Work started in late 2025 and is due to finish in June 2027. Until then, expect diversions, single-lane sections and slow traffic, especially on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Leave early, allow extra time and check a live traffic app before you go.

1. The quick escape: Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha is perfect if you only have a day or two. It is close enough for a day trip but beautiful enough for a long weekend.

• Distance: about 90 to 100 kilometres (55 to 60 miles).
• Drive time: usually 2 to 2.5 hours, longer while the roadworks continue.
• Route: take the highway out through Limuru, then down the escarpment into the Rift Valley.
• Road conditions: tarmac all the way, with roadworks on parts of the route until mid-2027.
• Tip: stop at a Rift Valley viewpoint on the escarpment for the view across to Mount Longonot. Leave early to avoid slow lorries on the climb and descent.
• Which car: any car in the fleet handles the Naivasha run. The Mazda CX-5 and Toyota Harrier are comfortable and economical for a couple; the seven-seat Mazda CX-8 suits a family.
• Where to stay and what to do: Urban Escape Kenya's Lake Naivasha guide covers boat rides, Hell's Gate and places to base yourself.

2. The Rift Valley classic: Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru is known for its rhino sanctuary and big-game viewing, and it is one of the easiest national parks to reach by car from the capital. Flamingo numbers vary with the lake's water level, so treat them as a bonus rather than a promise.

• Distance: roughly 160 kilometres (about 100 miles) to Nakuru.
• Drive time: about 2.5 to 3 hours, plus extra for the roadworks.
• Route: continue past Naivasha on the same highway into Nakuru town, then follow signs to the park gate.
• Road conditions: tarmac to Nakuru, then dirt tracks inside the park. Game drives and park tracks are not allowed in our cars, except game drives in our Land Cruiser Safari. In any other car, book a game drive with a local operator or your hotel and leave the car in town.
• Park fees: the park is run by the Kenya Wildlife Service. Check its current entry fees and payment options before you go; citizens, residents and non-residents pay different rates.
• Which car: any car in the fleet handles the tarmac to Nakuru. A 4x4 such as the Toyota Prado gives you a higher, more comfortable ride on the long drive.

3. The big one: the Maasai Mara

Driving to the Maasai Mara is a bucket-list trip. It takes you through the Rift Valley and the wheat and grassland country around Narok, past Maasai homesteads to the edge of the reserve.

• Distance: roughly 260 to 280 kilometres (160 to 175 miles) to the Sekenani gate, depending on your route and which gate you use.
• Drive time: plan on five to six hours, plus stops.
• Route: leave Nairobi towards Limuru, go down the escarpment to Mai Mahiu, then head west to Narok town. Narok is the natural halfway stop to refuel, eat and stretch your legs. From Narok, continue to the reserve gates.
• Road conditions: the road is now tarmac to Narok and most of the way on to Sekenani. The final stretches to some gates, and the roads inside the reserve, are murram (gravel and dirt). Our cars are not allowed on unpaved roads or game drives, except game drives in our Land Cruiser Safari, so tell us exactly where you are staying when you book, and we will confirm which roads are fine and which areas are off-limits. Lodges and camps also run game drives in their own vehicles.
• Park tickets: Maasai Mara tickets now last 12 hours rather than a full day, so plan your game drives and your entry time together. Kenyan citizens pay a much lower rate than non-residents, so bring your Kenyan ID if you have one; foreign-passport family members pay the non-resident rate. Check the current fees before you travel.
• Which car: a 4x4 makes the long drive far more comfortable. The Toyota Prado and the Land Cruiser V8 suit the drive there; to go on game drives in your own vehicle, hire the Land Cruiser Safari, the only car in our fleet allowed on them. Our Land Cruiser V8 vs Prado guide helps you choose.
• Planning the whole safari: Urban Escape Kenya's Maasai Mara guide covers when to go, where to stay and flying versus driving.

Road trip checklist

• Tell us where you are going. You can take our cars upcountry; we just ask you to share your destination when you book, so we can plan support, confirm your route and make sure you have the right car. Our cars cannot leave Kenya, so no trips into Tanzania or Uganda.
• Check the spare tyre and jack at handover. We show you both when we hand the car over.
• Fill up before you leave town, and top up in Naivasha, Nakuru or Narok. Fuel stations are further apart once you leave the main roads.
• Download offline maps. Signal can drop in the Rift Valley and around the reserve.
• Avoid driving at night outside towns. Unlit roads, pedestrians, livestock and slow lorries make night driving harder.
• Carry your documents: your driving licence, your passport or Kenyan ID, and the rental agreement. See the documents you need.
• Save our 24/7 support number. If the car breaks down, we arrange a replacement car.

Drive yourself or bring a driver?

Long days on unfamiliar roads can be tiring. If you would rather enjoy the view, any car can be booked with one of our chauffeurs. Our self-drive vs chauffeur guide weighs up both.

Ready for the open road?

There is nothing quite like a Kenyan road trip. Pick a car from the fleet, tell us your dates and route, and we will have it serviced, cleaned and ready for you. See how booking works.