Kenya • Rift Valley
Lake Nakuru National Park: Rhinos, Flamingos & Rift Valley Lakes
Lake Nakuru National Park is one of Kenya's most rewarding and underrated safari stops. In a single game drive you can see black and white rhinos, rare Rothschild's giraffes, lions, buffalo and hundreds of bird species, all against the dramatic walls of the Great Rift Valley. It also sits neatly on the road between Nairobi and the Masai Mara.
Lake Nakuru at a glance
- Famous for: rhinos, Rothschild's giraffes and birdlife
- Distance: about 3 to 4 hours' drive from Nairobi
- Time needed: one night, or a long half-day en route
- Combine with: Lake Naivasha and the Masai Mara
- Best for: rhino lovers, birders, photographers and families
Why visit Lake Nakuru?
Kenya's rhino sanctuary
Black and white rhinos
The park is fenced and protected as a rhino sanctuary, making it one of the best places in Kenya to see both black and white rhinos. White rhinos often graze in the open grasslands near the lake shore.
A conservation success
Rothschild's giraffes
Lake Nakuru helps protect the endangered Rothschild's giraffe, recognisable by its "white stockings", with no markings below the knees.
A birder's paradise
Flamingos and birdlife
Nakuru was once world famous for its pink shores. Rising water levels in recent years have reduced flamingo numbers, which change with the water's saltiness. The lake still has hundreds of bird species, including pelicans, fish eagles and marabou storks. For big flamingo flocks, we can add nearby Lake Bogoria.
Top things to do in Lake Nakuru National Park
- Baboon Cliff viewpoint: the classic panorama over the lake. Ideal for photos and a picnic.
- Makalia Falls: a picnic spot in the south of the park, best after the rains.
- Rhino tracking on game drives: scan the grasslands on the southern and western shores.
- Lion and leopard spotting: the park's yellow fever acacia woodland is good for big cats.
- Birdwatching: bring binoculars. See our best birding destinations in Africa.
Explore more Rift Valley lakes
Hippos and walking
Lake Naivasha
A freshwater lake about 90 minutes from Nairobi. Take a boat ride among hippos and fish eagles, walk among giraffes and zebras on Crescent Island, or cycle through Hell's Gate National Park.
Flamingos and hot springs
Lake Bogoria
North of Nakuru, Lake Bogoria often has large flocks of flamingos, plus steaming hot springs and geysers along its shore.
How to fit Lake Nakuru into your Kenya safari
A classic route is Nairobi → Lake Naivasha or Lake Nakuru → the Masai Mara. Spending a night at the lakes breaks up the drive and adds rhinos and different scenery to your trip. Rhinos aren't easy to find in the Mara, so Nakuru completes your Big Five. See our Kenya Safari Guide for full itinerary ideas.
Best time to visit Lake Nakuru
The park is good all year. The dry months, June to October and January to February, are best for game drives. The rainy months are green and excellent for birding. See the best time to visit Kenya.
A mother rhino and her calf walk slowly along the shore, the lake shining behind them and the Rift Valley rising beyond. Few safari moments feel as precious, or as hopeful.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lake Nakuru worth visiting?
Yes. It is one of the best places in Kenya to see black and white rhinos and Rothschild's giraffes, and it fits easily between Nairobi and the Masai Mara.
Are there still flamingos at Lake Nakuru?
Flamingo numbers at Lake Nakuru vary with water levels and have been lower in recent years. Nearby Lake Bogoria often has larger flocks.
How far is Lake Nakuru from Nairobi?
Lake Nakuru is roughly a 3 to 4 hour drive from Nairobi, depending on traffic.
Can you see the Big Five at Lake Nakuru?
You can see rhinos, lions, buffalo and leopards. Elephants are not found in the park, so combine it with the Masai Mara or Amboseli to complete the Big Five.
How long should I spend at Lake Nakuru?
One night is ideal, though it can also be visited on a long half-day on the way to the Masai Mara.
Add the Rift Valley to your Kenya safari
We'll build Lake Nakuru, Naivasha and the Masai Mara into one easy, unforgettable route.
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