Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru National Park Guide | Kenya Safaris (2026/2027)
Lake Nakuru National Park is one of Kenya’s most beautiful parks with abundant wildlife and birdlife.
Lake Nakuru National Park lies in the Great Rift Valley circuit of Kenya.
It is approximately 140 to 170 km Northwest of Nairobi city. This park is situated in Central Kenya, along the Rift Valley Province.
Establishment: Lake Nakuru National Park was gazetted as a National Park in Kenya in 1968. It became a bird sanctuary in 1961.
Park size: Lake Nakuru is a compact park with a total area coverage of 188 sq. km.
Lake Nakuru’s surface area is estimated at 40-80 sq. km. The size of the lake varies depending on the rainfall amount and also climatic changes.
Altitude: Lake Nakuru National Park sits at an elevation of 1745 meters.
Its landscape is dominated by hills, forests, and grasslands. Its unique landscape makes it easier to spot the diversity of wildlife on a safari.
What is special about Lake Nakuru National Park?
Lake Nakuru National Park is one of those Kenyan Parks with a rich ecosystem, boasting as a premier rhino sanctuary and a dramatic rift valley scenery. This park is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site and also a RAMSAR Site.
The Key Highlights of Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya.
Birdlife
Lake Nakuru National Park prides itself on over 400 species of birds. These include huge flocks of lesser and greater flamingos. The pink flamingos dominate the alkaline shorelines, painting them pink.
Other birds include the Great white pelicans, yellow-billed storks, African fish eagles, African spoonbills, Augur buzzards, long-crested eagles, long-tailed widowbirds, and grey-crested helmet-shrike.
Lake Nakuru Wildlife Park also supports birds such as grey-headed woodpeckers, brimstone canary, black-tailed godwit, arrow-marked babblers, European rollers, greater blue-eared starling, Hildebrandt’s starling, eastern imperial eagle, and blue-billed teal.
Keen birders can also spot birds such as rufous-necked wryneck, Northern anteater chat, Maccoa duck, Rupell’s vultures, Schawlow’s wheatear, pallid harrier, lesser kestrel, lappet-faced vultures, and Kenya rufous sparrows.
Exceptional Views
Lake Nakuru National Park safaris reward you beyond bird and wildlife encounters.
Tourists also have a chance to appreciate the breathtaking views of the Baboon Cliff, a rock feature where you can enjoy the sweeping panoramic views of the Great Rift Valley and also the Alkaline Lake Nakuru.
The Baboon Cliff is also an iconic spot where several of the baboons gather. It derives its name from the huge baboons that hang around this spot.
Makalia Waterfalls: This unique waterfall drops 10m from the Makalia River. Makalia’s water volumes rise during the wet (rainy) season –April, May, and June or from November to December. It is a special spot for picnicking, photography, wild camping, and bird watching.
Menengai Crater: A massive shield volcano, which features one of the world’s volcanic calderas. Located about 10 km North of Nakuru, Kenya. It lies at an altitude of 2278m and has a depth of 485m.
Amazing insights at the Menengai Crater include hiking along the 6.8 km circular trail, offering you steep climbs and panoramic views.
The sceneries characterized by the peak views of the stunning Lake Nakuru and Lake Bogoria. The caves hold the area’s unique cultural and spiritual significance.
Lake Nakuru holds diverse wildlife, including 4 of the Big 5 game. The notable animals to explore on game viewing in Lake Nakuru National Park include leopards, lions, cape buffaloes, Rothschild giraffes, and rhinos.
Additional wildlife to expect to find on a Kenya safari in Lake Nakuru National Park include baboons, waterbucks, zebras, rock hyrax, striped hyenas, gazelles, golden cats, and hippos. Overall, the park features over 56 mammal species.
Activities to do & What to Expect to See
The main safari activities to do in Lake Nakuru Game Park include guided game drives, birding, scenic viewing, and boat safaris.
Game drives
Game drives in Lake Nakuru offer memorable wildlife encounters.
Visitors can enjoy the morning and afternoon game drives. During a guided game drive excursion, you have a chance to spot rhinos, buffalo herds, leopards, lions, and antelopes.
A comfortable 4WD vehicle with a pop-up roof is most recommended for you to embark on a game/wildlife drive.
Bird watching
When it comes to birding experiences, Lake Nakuru never disappoints. Enthusiastic birders have plenty of birds to explore, including hundreds of pink flamingos, pelicans, and African fish eagles.
Boat safaris
Boat excursions on Lake Nakuru introduce you to a search for the diverse birds and also allow you to appreciate the park’s dramatic scenery.
The luxurious boat tour takes you about 2 to 3 hours and offers you a chance to see the diversity of birds and other aquatic life like hippos.
The sunrise boat excursion comes with early morning breakfast, wine, a professional guide, and hotel transfers or drop-off by our experts.
The afternoon tour includes sundowner bites, a bottle of mineral water, guide services, hotel drop-off and pick-up, etc.
When to visit Lake Nakuru National Park
The dry season/months are excellent when it comes to safaris in Lake Nakuru Game Park.
During the peak dry seasons/months, the park’s landscape is characterized by shorter grass and clear skies, thus allowing visitors to enjoy undisrupted views of wildlife.
If your interest is to watch flamingos, then consider visiting Lake Nakuru around November and May.
Accommodation to Stay
The major places to consider for an overnight stay in Lake Nakuru Park range from budget, midrange, and luxury.
They include, among others, Mbweha Camp, Egret Savannah Lodge, Sarova Lion Hill Lodge, Miriu Guesthouse, and Merica Hotel. Budget-friendly campsites include Kambi Nyuki Campsite, Rhino Campsite, Makalia Campsite, and Soysambu Campsite.
Getting to Lake Nakuru
By road: Depart from Nairobi and in about 3 to 4 hours, you can be at Lake Nakuru National Park. The ideal access gates to this park include Lanet Gate, Nakuru town gate, and Nderit Gate.
By air: Lake Nakuru National Park is served by Naishi Airstrip in the park’s Southern circuit.
How much is the park entry fee?
The entry fees for Lake Nakuru Game Park vary depending on the visitor category. Non-residents are charged US $90 per person, non-resident children US $45, and East African citizen adults KES 1500 per person.