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Kenya · Rift Valley Region
Lake Nakuru National Park
Black and white rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes and flamingo-pink shores on the floor of the Great Rift Valley.
Location
Nakuru County, Kenya
Park size
About 188 km²
Best time
June to October
Ideal stay
One to two nights
The park
Rhinos and flamingo shores
Lake Nakuru National Park surrounds an alkaline lake on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, about 160 km north-west of Nairobi. It became Kenya’s first rhino sanctuary and is one of the best places in the country to see both black and white rhinos, often grazing close to the tracks.
The lake is famous for its flamingos, although numbers rise and fall with water levels and are never guaranteed. Woodland of yellow-barked acacias shelters Rothschild’s giraffes, leopards and lions, while Baboon Cliff gives a sweeping view over the whole lake.
Lake Nakuru sits on the classic route between Nairobi and the Maasai Mara, and pairs well with Lake Naivasha and Lake Bogoria.
Places your guide will show you
Baboon CliffMakalia FallsLion HillOut of Africa LookoutFlamingo PointAcacia forest
Rhino sanctuary
Black and white rhinos up close
Wildlife
Who you will meet
A compact park packed with wildlife, from rhinos on the lake shore to leopards in the woodland.
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01
Black rhino
A protected population roams the woodland and bush.
02
White rhino
Often seen grazing in the open grassland near the lake.
03
Rothschild’s giraffe
An endangered giraffe protected here since the 1970s.
04
Flamingos
Gather on the shore when water levels suit them.
05
Waterbuck
Common on the grassy flats around the lake.
06
Lion
Prides live in the park and are sometimes seen resting in trees.
Experiences
More than game drives
Lake Nakuru is small enough to explore in a day, with plenty to see beyond the rhinos.
Game drives
Drive the lake shore and woodland with an English-speaking driver-guide.
Baboon Cliff
A viewpoint over the lake and the Rift Valley walls.
Makalia Falls
A seasonal waterfall in the south of the park.
Birdwatching
Pelicans, storks and hundreds of other species around the lake.
Flamingo photography
Capture pink shorelines when the birds are present.
Acacia woodland
Search the yellow-barked acacias for leopards and giraffes.
When to visit
The best time for Lake Nakuru
Lake Nakuru is good all year. Dry months make wildlife easier to find, while the rains bring birds and greenery.
Jan – Feb
Short dry season
Warm, clear days and good game viewing.
Mar – May
Long rains
Green landscapes, lower rates and fewer visitors.
Jun – Oct
Peak season
Long dry season
Cool, dry weather and easy wildlife sightings.
Nov – Dec
Short rains
Short showers and migrant birds arriving.
Getting there
Reaching the park
By road
About 160 km from Nairobi, roughly three hours along the Rift Valley highway.
On the way to the Mara
Many safaris stop here between Nairobi, Lake Naivasha and the Maasai Mara.
By air
Fly to Naivasha or Nakuru airstrips, then continue by road.
Where to stay
Lodges, camps and stays
01
Inside the park
Lodges with views over the lake and woodland.
02
Around Nakuru town
Hotels close to the main gate for early starts.
03
Lake Naivasha
Many guests stay at Naivasha and visit Nakuru on a day trip.
Park entry fees are set by the Kenya Wildlife Service and charged per person per day. Ask us for current rates when you request your quote.
Ready-made trips
Lake Nakuru safari tours
Safaris that include Lake Nakuru, often combined with Lake Naivasha and the Maasai Mara.
- Nairobi, Treetops, Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru, Maasai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli
- 12 Days 11 Nights
- Mount Kenya, Samburu, Lake Nakuru, Maasai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli
- 10 Days 9 Nights
- Lake Baringo, Lake Bogoria, Lake Nakuru, Maasai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli
- 9 Days 8 Nights
- Mount Kenya, Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Maasai Mara
- 9 Days 8 Nights
- Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Hell's Gate, Amboseli
- 8 Days 7 Nights
- Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Hell's Gate, Amboseli
- 7 Days 6 Nights
- Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli
- 6 Days 5 Nights
- Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Hell's Gate
- 5 Days 4 Nights
- Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru
- 4 Days 3 Nights
Good to know
Lake Nakuru FAQs
Where is Lake Nakuru National Park?
In Nakuru County, in the Great Rift Valley about 160 km north-west of Nairobi.
Can you see rhinos at Lake Nakuru?
Yes. It is one of Kenya’s best parks for both black and white rhinos, and sightings are common.
Are there still flamingos at Lake Nakuru?
Flamingo numbers change with water levels. Some years there are many, others very few, so they are never guaranteed.
How long do you need at Lake Nakuru?
A full day or one night is enough to see most of the park.
When is the best time to visit?
June to October and January to February, the dry seasons.
Can Lake Nakuru be combined with the Maasai Mara?
Yes. It sits on the route from Nairobi to the Mara and is a popular stop.
Talk to a planner
Still deciding?
Our Nairobi team can answer anything about Lake Nakuru and shape a route around your dates.
- +254 111 318 596
- +254 705 223 484
- info@topmatoursandsafaris.com
- Mon – Sat: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Your journey
Start your Lake Nakuru journey
Tell us your dates, group size and budget, and we will shape a Lake Nakuru itinerary around the season and the experiences you want.
