Short on time? A one-day safari in Kenya’s Lake Nakuru
Two common misconceptions about taking an African safari are that you need to have a lot of money and a lot of time. When I was a broke backpacker, I spent time in Nairobi, Kenya, and found a $100 one-day trip to Lake Nakuru where I was able to enjoy a safari without committing to a multi-day excursion.
If you are stationed in Nairobi and are short on time, Lake Nakuru is a perfect way to spend a day out of the city. On tour day, expect to be picked up before the sun has risen, likely sometime between 4 and 5 a.m. Luckily, Kenya has some of the best coffee in the entire world thanks to its high altitude and ever-high presence of fertile soil.
A driver will meet you in your Nairobi hotel lobby. From there, you will begin your two-and-a-half hour journey from the city journey to Lake Nakuru. Along the way, you'll likely stop for a coffee or a quick bite to fuel up for a long day. You might also stop at a shop where safari-goers can purchase locally crafted souvenirs. I remember seeing a necklace that I wanted badly, but as mentioned, I was traveling on a budget. Oh, the regret you’ll have for the things you didn’t buy!
Related: Everything you need to know about going on safari in Africa with renowned expert Marlon du Toit
Once you arrive to Lake Nakuru, each person must pay an entry fee of $35, but, depending on what type of tour you booked, this fee might already be included in your tour cost. Upon payment, you’ll receive your ticket and be granted entry into a world that feels far from anything you've seen before. Tip: Bring a good camera on any African safari. A GoPro or even an iPhone simply won’t do the trick.
Be prepared to move slowly and be utterly quiet. The animals don't like to be disturbed, and in Lake Nakuru, animals’ needs reign higher than people’s needs. Though everyone’s experience will be different, you can expect to see gazelle, zebra, monkeys and even some rare rhinos thanks to the on-site sanctuary.
If you keep your eyes peeled, you may also spot lions, leopards, African bush elephants and African buffalo. I was fortunate enough to see black rhinoceros and African buffalo on my one day in Lake Nakuru, further proving that you don’t need a lot of time and/or money to enjoy a proper African safari.
Lake Nakuru is particularly known for its excessive flamingo population, which is what drew me to book this day-trip in the first place. However, as we pulled up to the actual lake, I was astounded to see there were hardly any flamingos at all.
Climate change has caused the water to dramatically flood over the past several years, making the flamingo population at the shore sparse. Don’t let those Google images fool you: It's unlikely you will see the flocks of flamingos Lake Nakuru is so famous for.
As you drive past the lake and circle back toward the exit, be prepared to see giraffes slowly grazing and crossing the pathways. Watching these majestic creatures in their natural habitat will make you wonder how big-game hunters have the heart to do what they do.
Related: How to ensure your safari is ethical
As you finally exit Lake Nakuru, your tour guide will likely offer you an option to stop at Lake Naivasha on the ride back to Nairobi, where you can take a boat safari to see hippos and more birds. If you're too tired or decide to opt out, you can instead stop for a traditional Kenyan meal of ugali and samaki. Don’t forget to try the local beer, Tusker.
While this one-day African safari means an early morning and a packed travel schedule, it's a perfect option for those who are short on time, finances, or both when traveling through Kenya. Flights from New York - John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Nairobi start at 44,000 miles + $5.60 with United MileagePlus.
Related: Deal Alert: Marriott will open a luxury safari lodge in Masai Mara Reserve
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.