National Park · Central Rift Valley
Lake Nakuru National Park
A compact Rift Valley lake park built around black and white rhino sanctuaries and, historically, huge flamingo flocks.
How to get there
By road from Nairobi, roughly two and a half hours northwest.
What to find
Rhino, Rothschild's giraffe, and dense bird life around the lake shore.
Overview
Lake Nakuru National Park covers about 188 km² around a Rift Valley soda lake, and is one of Kenya's most important rhino sanctuaries, protecting both black and white rhinos behind a fence.
The lake was once world-famous for flocks of flamingos. Since rising water levels in the 2010s diluted the lake, flamingo numbers have varied a lot. The park is still excellent for rhinos, Rothschild's giraffe, lions, leopards and waterbirds.
Highlights
- Some of the best chances in Kenya to see black and white rhinos
- Rothschild's giraffe
- Baboon Cliff and Out of Africa viewpoints over the lake
- Makalia Falls
- Pelicans, and flamingos when conditions suit
Things to do
Game drives
A compact park with good roads, making a half-day or full day easy.
Viewpoints
Baboon Cliff for classic lake views.
Birding
Hundreds of species, including many waterbirds.
Best time to visit
All year. The dry season (June to October and January to February) is easiest for game drives.
Getting there
About 2.5 to 3 hours by road from Nairobi, and easy to combine with Naivasha and the Maasai Mara.
Where to stay
Lodges inside the park and in Nakuru town.
Lake Nakuru
A selection of well-known options, not a complete list. See all accommodation in Kenya →
Good to know
- A convenient stop between Nairobi and the Maasai Mara, or on the way north.
Permit prices, park rules and access can change. We always confirm the latest details when we plan your trip.