Nairobi Cruises: Top Sailing Tours & Affordable Options

Planning something a little different for your Nairobi trip? You know, not the normal safari deal, but maybe something involving a boat? Actually, when folks consider adventures around Kenya, their minds often jump straight to game drives and animal encounters. However, you see, just a little digging reveals this other collection of experiences you maybe didn’t know existed, which are these cruise and sailing tours that can really change up the whole vacation vibe. This guide should light the way, too, if you’re trying to uncover some pretty fantastic on-the-water experiences close to Nairobi, plus what makes each option special, what sort of price points you could be looking at, and maybe a few insider tips to totally maximize the fun.

1. Lake Naivasha Boat Safari

So, one popular option is this boat safari on Lake Naivasha, and you can access it really easily from Nairobi. That’s something to bear in mind. Basically, Lake Naivasha is like a shimmering jewel in the Rift Valley, it’s almost like this inviting spot where nature flourishes like crazy. A boat trip here tends to be less about hunting for big game –though you might get very lucky – and very more about just chilling with the local wildlife. Expect to see hippos sort of lazing around in the shallows and a wild variety of birds just doing their thing along the shore. It’s that, honestly, it’s the perfect getaway if you want a calmer, much less dusty look at Kenya’s wild side. As I was saying, you’ll likely see Fish Eagles swooping down for a meal.

Generally, the boat tours might be one or two hours, and they’re sometimes bundled with other excursions. Basically, that depends on the tour provider you choose. Some packages even include lunch on Crescent Island, allowing you, just you to actually step out and mingle with giraffes and zebras for a completely different experience! You know, something memorable and photo-worthy. To be honest, keep in mind to negotiate with local operators to secure favorable pricing; and if you aren’t the biggest fan of crowds, the sweet spot time for fewer tourists tends to be early morning or late afternoon.

2. Dhow Sailing on the Kenyan Coast (Mombasa/Diani)

Okay, now, if you have some room in your schedule to stretch a bit past Nairobi itself, really think about taking a trip down to the coast –specifically Mombasa or Diani. To be honest, that area is seriously popular for Dhow sailing. This is, it’s sailing the authentic way using traditional sailing vessels! These trips are perfect for folks trying to soak up the Indian Ocean in all its glory. To put it simply, Dhows tend to be these classically rigged boats; their design is as old as time, honestly, and sailing on one gives you this unique feel for old-school seafaring. On the other hand, picture this: you, yourself, stretched out on the deck as you go over clear turquoise waters, perhaps a refreshing sea breeze gently hitting you –this is basically what those tours are all about. As a matter of fact, a lot of them come with lunch onboard featuring the freshest seafood.

In some respects, these sails are a bit adaptable to fit what people would like to experience. Many offer opportunities for you, if you want, to snorkel near these reefs or just relax on these hidden beach spots you cannot reach any other way. Dhow trips usually start at a bit higher price point because, frankly, you often have food, drinks and equipment bundled in; but it’s not that bad. But they absolutely are, to be sure, something you need to look at planning in advance, which means sorting out transportation to the coast. To be honest, flights are your quicker bet, that is for sure, or, well, the overnight train gives you more adventure but will eat away at the hours in your holiday schedule.

3. Sunset Cruise on Lake Victoria (Kisumu)

So, have you thought about the west? Like, all the way to Lake Victoria in Kisumu? If the coast seems too far to travel, that could be great, in that area a sunset cruise on Lake Victoria is basically hard to top. I mean, sunsets over the big lake tend to be unforgettable. Picture this: you yourself, onboard this boat, the sky aflame with color, all these peaceful waters all around –it’s absolutely fantastic, very special. These tours will often give you a look into local fishing communities. Obviously, the tours often have drinks plus some bites onboard so, yes, it becomes that relaxing evening you’re imagining right now. Think about booking in advance; because this tends to be that top attraction that’s pretty sought-after, especially during these peak tourist months.

The tour may be sort of hard to find during the off season, but many companies will run customized versions, too, if you inquire directly. So, anyway, something pretty important to keep in mind is your travel. Getting from Nairobi to Kisumu can be done by flying, or if you wanna see more of the terrain, think about driving; that will turn your holiday into more like a longer road trip experience. If you think about prices, you’re gonna find things are more modest compared to some other tours, specifically as tourism on Lake Victoria is not as built up compared to other locations.

4. Day Trip to Lake Elementaita

Another super option is Lake Elementaita, which is one of these lesser-known Rift Valley lakes, though its beauty absolutely measures up to the famous neighbors. What happens is, folks looking for birdwatching that just blows you away come to Lake Elementaita; that place can get pretty packed with flamingos! A little boat tour here, more than anything, gives one, you, this intimate opportunity to see these huge flocks of birds in their thing in their habitat. And yes, absolutely bring your cameras with long zoom lens if bird photos is something you would be looking for! Many of the day trips will combine the lake trip with a stop at the Kariandusi prehistoric site which can be great, in a way, as it offers that nice little balance of history plus nature.

In some respects, for this one it’s ideal to set aside a complete day, mostly because getting to Elementaita includes around two to three hours drive coming from Nairobi. And clearly that needs to be figured out! Tour prices here, you will find, are on the affordable side. This place doesn’t always get crazy busy with loads of other tourists, that makes Elementaita feel that much more like something that belongs only to you when you show up. In that case, look for local companies when shopping around to see if their offers on excursions also involve stuff like guided hikes around the neighboring area.

5. Nairobi Dam Boat Ride (Sailing)

So, close to the city center, a Nairobi Dam boat ride will get you into relaxation fast, and it provides you with like, that fast break you’ve wanted. Very unlike those safari experiences, obviously, and perhaps it’s smaller than anything in this collection, what ends up happening is it lets locals have, just have a bit of boating fun and a chill time when, for them, these weekends arrive. What happens is you rent a paddle boat or canoe, perhaps, and spend some easy minutes just floating. Or something very similar! Also, it is good for supporting smaller vendors who exist in the vicinity; their trade is tourism as such, and helps people get a slice of the Kenyan holiday pie!

And what is it like to arrive there? Probably some pretty standard transportation arrangements. But to be frank, you can grab it any number of ways. So anyway, what should prices be like? Just what I was thinking: budget-friendly! Still, really be mindful because these areas at the Dam may sometimes become pretty busy, specifically on these public holidays. You know, keep your belongings protected. Nairobi Dam does not boast an extreme set of attractions; however what takes place instead is an easily accessed piece of calm smack-dab in the city – sometimes just what you would be up for on any given afternoon. Safety is really essential while relishing city water activities, but that isn’t all that unusual or hard.