Lake Nakuru National Park: Rhinos & Rift Valley

Lake Nakuru National Park lies on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, next to Nakuru town, about three hours from Nairobi. The park is fenced and compact, with the lake at its centre and acacia woodland, grassland and rocky escarpments around it. It is run by the Kenya Wildlife Service and has long been a rhino sanctuary.

Lake Nakuru key facts

Location	Nakuru County, in the central Rift Valley
Managed by	Kenya Wildlife Service
Known for	Black and white rhinos, Rothschild's giraffes, lake birdlife
From Nairobi	About 3 hours by road
From the Masai Mara	About 5–6 hours by road

Rhinos and other wildlife

The open ground near the lake shore is the best place to look for white rhinos grazing, while black rhinos keep to the bush and woodland. Rothschild's giraffes, a rare subspecies, were moved here to help protect them. Buffaloes, waterbucks, zebras and baboons are common, and lions and leopards live in the park, though they are not seen on every drive.

Flamingos and birdlife

Lake Nakuru was once famous for huge flocks of flamingos. The lake level has risen over the past decade, which has changed the water and reduced the flamingo numbers, so they now come and go. Pelicans, storks and fish eagles are seen regularly, and the woodland adds many more species.

Things to do

Activity	Why it's worth it
Game drives	Rhinos on the lake shore and in the woodland, with buffaloes and giraffes.
Baboon Cliff viewpoint	A high point above the lake with a view across the whole park.
Makalia Falls	A small waterfall in the south of the park, best after rain.
Picnic lunch	Picnic sites by the lake make a full-day drive easy.

How to get to Lake Nakuru

The road from Nairobi climbs into the highlands and then drops into the Rift Valley, passing viewpoints over the valley floor. The trip takes about three hours. Lake Nakuru is also a natural stop between the Masai Mara and Amboseli or Samburu, which is why it appears on so many Kenya itineraries.

Where to stay

There are lodges and tented camps inside the park, which let you start game drives at first light, and more options in and around Nakuru town. See the Lake Nakuru section of our Kenya safari lodges guide.

A sample Lake Nakuru visit

Afternoon. Arrive from Nairobi or the Masai Mara and drive the lake shore for white rhinos, buffaloes and water birds.

Next morning. Early drive through the woodland for black rhinos and Rothschild's giraffes, then up to Baboon Cliff for the view before leaving for Amboseli, Samburu or Nairobi.

Lake Nakuru vs Lake Naivasha

The two Rift Valley lakes are close together and often confused. Lake Nakuru is a national park, a soda lake visited on game drives, and the place for rhinos. Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake outside a national park, visited for boat trips among hippos and birds, walks on Crescent Island and cycling in nearby Hell's Gate National Park. Some itineraries include both.

Tips for visiting Lake Nakuru

Look for rhinos early, when they graze in the open near the shore.
Bring binoculars for the birds on the far side of the lake.
Nights in the Rift Valley can be cool, so pack a warm layer.

How long to stay

One night with an afternoon and a morning game drive is usually enough. A full day lets you add the viewpoints and the south of the park.

Best time to visit Lake Nakuru

The park is good all year because it is compact and has all-weather roads. The dry months, from late June to October and from January to February, are easiest. The long rains, usually April and May, make some tracks slippery.