Kenya Safari Destination
Lake Nakuru National Park
A Rift Valley lake ringed by acacia woodland and cliffs, home to black and white rhino, Rothschild’s giraffe and flamingos.
Location
Nakuru County, Kenya
Size
About 188 sq km
Ideal stay
1 to 2 days
Best time
June to October
Famous for
Rhino and flamingos
Kenya, Great Rift Valley
A sanctuary of pink and grey
Lake Nakuru National Park lies on the floor of Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, a lake ringed by acacia woodland, grassland and steep escarpment cliffs. The park is fenced and is one of Kenya’s most important sanctuaries for both black and white rhino.
Rothschild’s giraffe, buffalo, lion and leopard share the park, and flamingos gather along the shore when conditions are right. It is compact and easy to explore, and sits conveniently on the way to the Maasai Mara.
Why Lake Nakuru rewards a short visit
Six reasons this park earns its place on a Kenya safari.
Rhino sanctuary
One of Kenya’s best places to see both black and white rhino.
Flamingo flocks
Pink flocks gather along the shore when conditions are right.
Rothschild's giraffe
A protected population of this endangered giraffe.
Four of the Big Five
Rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard in one compact park.
Easy to explore
Excellent game viewing packed into a small area.
Rich birdlife
Over 450 bird species recorded around the lake.
When to visit Lake Nakuru
Lake Nakuru rewards visitors in every season. Choose the window that matches what you most want to see.
June to October
Dry season
Clear skies and excellent game viewing around the lake.
January to February
Short dry spell
Comfortable weather between the two rainy seasons.
November to December
Short rains
Green scenery and noticeably fewer visitors.
March to May
Long rains
The quietest time of year, with dramatic skies over the water.
Wildlife you can expect to see
Rhino, giraffe and birdlife make Nakuru one of Kenya’s most rewarding short safaris.
Black rhino
Shy browsers, often seen in the acacia woodland with calves.
White rhino
Grazing in the open grassland near the lake shore.
Rothschild's giraffe
An endangered subspecies thriving inside the park.
Flamingo
Numbers change with water levels, so every visit is different.
Lion
Prides rest in the woodland and sometimes in the acacia trees.
Buffalo
Large herds graze the grassland around the lake.
Things to do at Lake Nakuru
A park made for unhurried game drives and big views.
Guided game drives
Track rhino and giraffe across woodland and grassland.
Flamingo viewing
Watch flocks gather along the lakeshore.
Baboon Cliff viewpoint
Take in sweeping views over the lake and park.
Birdwatching
Explore one of Kenya’s richest lakeside bird habitats.
Rhino tracking
Spend time with black and white rhino in the open.
Plains game
Waterbuck, zebra and buffalo graze close to the tracks.
Planning your trip to Lake Nakuru
Practical details to help you decide how to get there and where to stay.
Getting to Lake Nakuru
- By road: about three hours north-west of Nairobi through the Rift Valley.
- On the way: a natural stop between Nairobi and the Maasai Mara.
- Combined routes: pairs well with Lake Naivasha, the Maasai Mara and Samburu.
Where to stay
- Inside the park: lodges and camps with views over the lake.
- Nakuru town: comfortable hotels just outside the gates.
- Every budget: we match lodges to your style and budget.
Lake Nakuru safari tours
Itineraries that include Lake Nakuru, often with the Maasai Mara and Lake Naivasha.
- Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Samburu, Lake Nakuru, Maasai Mara
- 7 Days 6 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 questions, answered
Still wondering about something? Ask our Nairobi team any time on WhatsApp.
Where is Lake Nakuru National Park?
It lies in Nakuru County in the Great Rift Valley, about three hours north-west of Nairobi.
Can you see rhino at Lake Nakuru?
Yes. The park is one of Kenya's best places to see both black and white rhino.
Are there always flamingos at Lake Nakuru?
Not always. Flamingo numbers change with water levels and food, so flocks can be large one month and small the next.
How many days do you need at Lake Nakuru?
One to two days is enough for a rewarding visit, often as a stop on the way to the Maasai Mara.
Does Lake Nakuru have the Big Five?
Four of them. Rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard live here, but there are no elephants, so pair Nakuru with Amboseli or the Maasai Mara to complete the set.
Can Lake Nakuru be combined with other parks?
Yes. It combines easily with Lake Naivasha, the Maasai Mara and Samburu.
Start Planning Your Lake Nakuru Safari
Tell us your travel dates and we will build a Lake Nakuru itinerary around the season and the experiences you want most.