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    Lake Nakuru National Park
    Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    Kenya

    Lake Nakuru National Park

    Point of Interest

    Lake Nakuru National Park directly borders the city of Nakuru, about 160 km northwest of Nairobi, and is considered one of East Africa's most successful rhino sanctuaries, home to both white and black rhinos.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Kenya
    7. Great Rift Valley
    9. Lake Nakuru National Park
    Lake Nakuru National Park directly borders the city of Nakuru, about 160 km northwest of Nairobi, and is considered one of East Africa's most successful rhino sanctuaries, home to both white and black rhinos. The fenced park surrounding the soda lake also protects Rothschild's giraffes, lions, and leopards, as well as hundreds of bird species.The once famous flamingo flocks have become rarer and more unpredictable since rising water levels have diluted the lake.

    Sights in Lake Nakuru National Park

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Baboon Cliff
    Attraction

    1Baboon Cliff

    Viewpoint on a roughly 100m cliff on the west shore, considered prime for viewing the lake and flamingos. It was also a popular picnic spot in the past.
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    Makalia Falls
    Attraction

    2Makalia Falls

    Modest waterfall in the south of the park, which is most impressive after rainfall. A park campsite is located nearby, and the surroundings are suitable for picnics and birdwatching.
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    Restaurants in Lake Nakuru National Park

    1

    Mutarakwa Restaurant

    Lake Nakuru Lodge's restaurant within the National Park. Serving a buffet accompanied by traditional dance performances.
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    Park, World Heritage and Shift

    Rhino SanctuaryThe park was established in 1961, later expanded, and declared Kenya's first rhino sanctuary in the 1980s. The fence primarily aims to deter poachers. Rothschild's giraffes were translocated here from West Kenya starting in 1977.UNESCO World Heritage SiteLake Nakuru is a Ramsar Wetland and since 2011 part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley," along with Lake Elmenteita and Lake Bogoria.Rising Lake, Fewer FlamingosBetween 2009 and 2022, the lake's surface area grew by around 91 percent. The water became less alkaline, and the algae, which lesser flamingos feed on, significantly declined. Many birds are migrating to Lake Elmenteita, Lake Bogoria, or Lake Natron in Tanzania. The high water also flooded parts of the park's infrastructure, including the former main entrance.

    Useful Information

    Access and Game DrivesThe park is located on the southern edge of Nakuru. As the old main entrance was flooded, the park is accessed via other gates such as Lanet and Nderit. Before your visit, inquire with the Kenya Wildlife Service about currently open gates and tracks. The park can be explored in your own vehicle or with a safari driver.AdmissionLake Nakuru is one of KWS's Premium Parks: As of October 1, 2025, non-resident adults in Kenya pay 90 US dollars per person per 24 hours, according to KWS tariffs.Payment is cashless via the eCitizen-portal. Check current rates before visiting.Best Time for FlamingosLarge flamingo concentrations are most likely between January and March; from July to October, there are usually fewer birds due to drier weather. A large flock is never guaranteed.

    Accommodations in Lake Nakuru National Park

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    Nearby

    Nakuru

    Nakuru

    Nakuru is located approximately 160 km northwest of Nairobi on the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway and, since 2021, is Kenya's fourth chartered city. For travellers, it's mainly a base for Lake Nakuru National Park, right on its doorstep, the Menengai Crater, and the prehistoric site of Hyrax Hill.The capital of Nakuru County has a vibrant, rapidly evolving nightlife scene.
    Lake Elmenteita

    Lake Elmenteita

    Lake Elmenteita is a small soda lake between Naivasha and Nakuru, about 120 km northwest of Nairobi near the Nairobi-Nakuru-Highway. The lake is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Kenyan Rift Valley Lakes, attracts large flamingo flocks depending on water levels, and is the last remaining breeding ground for pelicans in Kenya.Two-thirds of its shoreline belong to the Soysambu Conservancy, a private ranch owned by the Delamere family, featuring zebras, giraffes, and gazelles.
    Great Rift Valley

    Great Rift Valley

    Northwest and southwest of Nairobi, the land drops steeply into the East African Rift Valley: a chain of lakes, extinct volcanoes, and gorges, which you can reach from the capital in one to two hours by car. Lake Naivasha, Hell's Gate, Mount Longonot, and Lake Nakuru are situated close together here, making them ideal for a first safari leg or for hiking and cycling.Three of the soda lakes – Nakuru, Elmenteita, and Bogoria – have been part of the UNESCO World Heritage "Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley" since 2011, one of the most important feeding grounds for the lesser flamingo worldwide.
    Naivasha

    Naivasha

    Naivasha is located approximately 93 road kilometers northwest of Nairobi on the freshwater lake of the same name. Hippos, over 400 bird species, and its proximity to Hell's Gate and Mount Longonot make the lake a popular weekend destination and the first leg of many safaris through the Rift Valley.The town itself is a bustling agricultural center, with accommodations and restaurants primarily lining Moi South Lake Road on the southern shore.
    Hell's Gate National Park

    Hell's Gate National Park

    Hell's Gate National Park lies south of Lake Naivasha, around 90 km from Nairobi, and is one of Kenya's few parks where you can explore on foot or by bike among zebras, buffaloes, and antelopes. Red cliffs, the volcanic plugs Fischer's Tower and Central Tower, and a narrow gorge define the mere 68 km² landscape.The scenery served as inspiration for the animated film "The Lion King" (1994); among other productions, "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life" was filmed here.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
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