Nakuru, Kenya: travel guide
Rift Valley town beside Lake Nakuru National Park — flamingos, rhino sanctuary, the vast Menengai Crater and prehistoric Hyrax Hill.
- Country
- Kenya
- Currency
- KES
- Time zone
- Africa/Nairobi
Top places to visit in Nakuru
Hell's Gate National Park
Nature · about 5 h · entry USD 26
A dramatic gorge-and-cliff park you can explore on foot or by bicycle among zebra and giraffe — the inspiration for 'The Lion King'.
Lake Nakuru National Park
Wildlife · about 5 h · entry USD 60
A soda lake fringed by forest and cliffs — flamingos, both black and white rhino, Rothschild's giraffe and abundant birdlife.
Menengai Crater
Viewpoint · about 2 h
One of the world's largest calderas, rising above Nakuru with sweeping viewpoints over the Rift Valley floor.
Hyrax Hill Prehistoric Site
Museum · about 1.5 h · entry KES 500
An archaeological site and museum with Iron Age and Neolithic settlements excavated by Mary Leakey.
Lake Naivasha
Nature · about 4 h
A freshwater Rift Valley lake with hippos, fish eagles and boat trips to Crescent Island — a popular day trip from Nakuru.
Things to do
- Lake Nakuru National Park Game Drive Safari · 5 h · from KES 9,000 per person
- Lake Naivasha Boat Safari & Crescent Island Walk Nature · 5 h · from KES 6,000 per person
- Hell's Gate Cycling & Gorge Walk Adventure · 5 h · from KES 5,000 per person
- Menengai Crater Hike Hiking · 3 h · from KES 3,000 per person
Day trips and tours
- Lake Nakuru & Rift Valley Day 8 h · from KES 9,000
Where to stay in Nakuru
- Nakuru Town
Convenient base near the Lake Nakuru park gate with hotels and restaurants.
Hotels
- Sarova Woodlands Hotel & Spa 4-star · KES 10,000 to KES 16,000 per night
- Lake Nakuru Lodge 4-star · KES 12,000 to KES 20,000 per night
- Hotel Merica 4-star · KES 8,000 to KES 13,000 per night
Where to eat
- Gilani's Kenyan, Indian · about KES 900 per person
- Papprigano Italian, Pizza · about KES 1,500 per person
- Sarova Woodlands Restaurant International, Kenyan · about KES 2,500 per person
Getting around
- Minibus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Motorbike Rental main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.