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Kenya safari destination

Lake Nakuru National Park

Rhino on the lakeshore, flamingos in the shallows and acacia woodland beneath the Rift Valley walls.

Lake Nakuru safaris
Plan your trip

Location

Nakuru County, Kenya

Best time

June to October

Ideal stay

One to two nights

Famous for

Rhino and flamingos

Location

Nakuru County, Kenya

Best time

June to October

Ideal stay

One to two nights

Famous for

Rhino and flamingos

Explore the stunning landscapes and wildlife of Nakuru, Kenya with safari vehicles. Discover African beauty.

Best viewpoint

Baboon Cliff, for the whole lake and its pink fringe of flamingos.

A rhino stronghold in the Rift Valley

Lake Nakuru National Park surrounds a soda lake on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, about three hours north-west of Nairobi.

The park is fenced and protects one of Kenya’s most important rhino sanctuaries, with both black and white rhino. Flamingos gather on the lake in numbers that rise and fall with the water level, while lion, buffalo and Rothschild’s giraffe roam the woodland around the shore.

Where your guide will take you

  • Baboon Cliff
  • Lion Hill
  • Makalia Falls
  • Out of Africa viewpoint
  • Acacia woodland
  • Lakeshore

The animals you came to see

A small, fenced park where rhino sightings are some of the most reliable in Kenya.

Black rhino

Shy browsers of the thicker bush, protected in the park’s sanctuary.

White rhino

Often seen grazing in the open grassland near the lakeshore.

Rothschild’s giraffe

One of Africa’s rarest giraffes, easy to spot in the acacia woodland.

Flamingo

Flamingos feed in the shallows, in numbers that change with the water level.

Lion

Prides rest in the yellow-barked acacia trees around the lake.

Buffalo

Large herds graze the grassland close to the shore.

More than game drives

Hover or tap a card to see how each experience fits into your time at Lake Nakuru.

Guided game drives

Rhino, lion and giraffe.

Guided game drives

Drive the lakeshore and woodland with a guide who knows where the rhino like to graze.
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Flamingo viewing

Pink in the shallows.

Flamingo viewing

Stop along the shore to watch flamingos and pelicans feeding on the soda lake.
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Baboon Cliff viewpoint

The whole lake below you.

Baboon Cliff viewpoint

Drive up to the cliff for a sweeping view over the lake, the forest and the Rift Valley walls.
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Birdwatching

Over 400 species recorded.

Birdwatching

From pelicans and storks to eagles and kingfishers, Lake Nakuru is excellent for birding all year.
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Rhino tracking

A conservation success story.

Rhino tracking

Search the grassland and thickets for black and white rhino with your guide.
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Plains game

Waterbuck, zebra and more.

Plains game

Waterbuck, impala and zebra graze the open plains, often with rhino close by.
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When to visit Lake Nakuru

Lake Nakuru is good all year. The season you pick shapes what you see, how busy it is and what you pay.

January to February

Short dry season

Clear days and good game viewing around the lake.

March to May

Long rains

Green woodland, quiet roads and the lowest lodge rates.

Best time

June to October

Peak dry season

Short grass and animals near water make rhino and lion easier to find.

November to December

Short rains

Afternoon showers, fresh growth and migrant birds.

Planning your trip

The practical details, so you can decide how to travel and where to stay.

Getting there

An easy drive from Nairobi.

  • By road: about three hours from Nairobi through the Great Rift Valley.
  • On the way: the drive passes the Rift Valley viewpoint and Lake Naivasha.
  • Combined routes: pairs well with the Maasai Mara, Lake Naivasha and Lake Bogoria.

Where to stay

Lodges in and around the park.

  • Inside the park: lodges and tented camps with views over the lake.
  • In Nakuru town: hotels just a short drive from the main gate.
  • Any budget: we match lodges to your style, from comfortable mid-range to luxury.

Park entry fees are charged by Kenya Wildlife Service per person, per day. Ask us for the current rates when you request your quote.

Lake Nakuru safari tours

Ready-made trips that include Lake Nakuru, often paired with the Maasai Mara and Lake Naivasha.

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Lake Nakuru FAQs

Can’t see your question here? Our Nairobi team is available 24/7.

Talk to Serval Tours and Travel

It is in Nakuru County on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, about three hours’ drive north-west of Nairobi.

One to two nights is ideal. A single full day is enough for the main sights, but an overnight stay gives you early morning game drives.

Yes. The park is one of Kenya’s best places to see both black and white rhino, and sightings are frequent.

Yes, though numbers change with the water level. In some years thousands gather, while in others they move to nearby lakes such as Bogoria.

Rhino, lion, buffalo and leopard live in the park. There are no elephants, so it has four of the Big Five.

June to October and January to February are the driest months, when game viewing is easiest.

Yes, but it makes for a long day. An overnight stay is more relaxed and gives you two game drives.

Yes. It sits between Nairobi and the Maasai Mara, so it fits easily into a Rift Valley and Mara safari.

Start planning your Lake Nakuru safari

Tell us your dates, group size and budget. We’ll come back with a Lake Nakuru itinerary built around the season and the experiences you want most.

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