Location

Lake Nakuru National Park is located in Kenya’s Rift Valley, south of the town of Nakuru and 98.5 miles north of Nairobi.

Size

Lake Nakuru National Park is 17 square miles in size.

History

Lake Nakuru was declared a conservation area in 1957 with a focus on their flamingo population, then specifically as a bird sanctuary in 1961. The park was initially a bird-watching paradise and a sport shooting location. Today, the park is one of Kenya’s most visited, with the beauty of Lake Nakuru a huge draw card.

Entrance Fees & Permits

The entry fee into Lake Nakuru is USD 60 per person.

Hours of Operation

Lake Nakuru National Park is open daily from 6am to 7pm, with no entry into the park allowed after 6.15pm.

How to get there

By Road

Travel by road from Nairobi will take around three hours (98.5 miles), travelling along the Uhuru Highway/A104. There are three gates into Lake Nakuru National Park, namely: Main Gate, Lenit Gate and the Nderit Gate (not used as often as the other two).

By Air

Lake Nakuru National Park is 81 miles from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, with flights operating daily into the Naishi Airstrip in the park.

Best time to visit

Weather & Climate

January and February are great months to visit Lake Nakuru National Park as the birdlife is prolific with pink flamingos and over 450 bird species to be seen. The air is dry and the weather mild (around 77°F during the day) in January and February. The long rains fall in April and May with the short rains falling from late October to the end of December. The dry, winter months of June to August offer dry conditions and optimal game viewing.

Avoiding Crowds

Visiting Lake Nakuru National Park between late May and end of June will see you enjoying the park ahead of the busy winter season, with fewer vehicles traversing the park. Consider visiting during the fall months of September and October to avoid crowds. Or visiting at the end of December will give you the chance to see the flamingos in all their glory with few people around.

Value for Money

Lake Nakuru is a wonderful national park that offers well-priced accommodation and safari options only three and a half hours north of Nairobi. The destination is popular yet not as saturated as other, more prominent parks in Kenya.

Wildlife and landscape

Popular Wildlife Sightings in Lake Nakuru National Park

Bird life is prolific in Lake Nakuru National Park. Many flamingos call the Lake home. Cape buffalo, zebra, and giraffes graze on the grasslands of the park, while predators such as lions and leopards can be spotted in the bushlands. Hippos are seen lazing in the lake or wandering the shores at night.

The Terrain

The park comprises an expanse of grasslands with euphorbia forested areas scattered in the park and bushlands, along with acacia woodlands adding to the dramatic scenery. The saline lake is a major feature of the region, glistening among the greens and browns of the park.

Experience

Game Drives

Game drives are conducted in 4×4 vehicles, mostly conducted by private safari companies or ground handlers, for guests staying in one of the park’s lodges or camps. The vehicles are enclosed with pop-up roofs for optimal game viewing. The park does offer day visitors the option of scheduled game drives, booked with the park services themselves.

Guided Walking Safaris

Guests can take a guided walk to Baboon Hill with a wildlife professional. Capture amazing views over Lake Nakuru National Park and take in the colours and quality of this safari haven.