Nairobi National Park is a genuine oddity — 117 square kilometres of open plains with rhino, lion, giraffe and buffalo, and the city skyline on the horizon behind them.
On day two we drive out to Ol Donyo Sabuk, the 'mountain of the buffalo', for a hike to the 2,145-metre summit through forest that genuinely does hold buffalo, finishing at the Fourteen Falls on the Athi River.
It is the best value weekend on our list: two very different landscapes, one night away, and back in Nairobi by Sunday evening.
Day 1
A 6:00am pickup for the park gates at opening. Three to four hours of game driving across the plains and down to the Athi basin, looking for rhino, lion, giraffe and the park's large buffalo herds. Lunch, then transfer to accommodation near Thika. Evening at leisure.
Day 2
After breakfast we drive to Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park and hike to the summit with an armed ranger — around three hours up through forest and moorland, with views to Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro on a clear day. We descend for lunch and finish at Fourteen Falls before returning to Nairobi by early evening.
Comfortable mid-range hotel near Thika, en-suite rooms with breakfast included.
Departure pattern: Every weekend · Public holidays · Private dates on request. Private dates available on request for any group size.
Moderate. It is around 9km each way on a rough vehicle track with steady gradient, taking about three hours up. Reasonable fitness is enough; no technical skill is needed.
The mountain's name means 'big mountain' in Maasai but it is known locally for buffalo, which can be dangerous. KWS requires an armed ranger escort for all hikers, and the fee is included.
It is an excellent introduction — you see genuine big game within an hour of the city, at a fraction of the cost of a Mara trip.
Karen, Nairobi
A half-day forest hike through indigenous woodland in Karen — waterfall, caves, river gorge and a picnic, without leaving Nairobi.
From
Ksh 1,500Ksh 2,000
per person
Lake Naivasha, Nakuru County
Cycle through Hell's Gate between zebra and giraffe, walk with wildlife on Crescent Island, and take a boat out among the hippos.
From
Ksh 9,500Ksh 12,000
per person
Naivasha, Nakuru, Bogoria & Baringo
Four lakes in four days along the floor of the Rift — Naivasha, Nakuru, the Bogoria geysers and Baringo's birdlife.
From
Ksh 32,000Ksh 38,000
per person