Where to stay in Lake Nakuru National Park
3 hand-picked glamping camps and lodges in and around the park.
Lake Nakuru National Park guide
Overview
Lake Nakuru National Park covers about 188 km² around Lake Nakuru, a shallow soda lake on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, about three hours north-west of Nairobi. It began as a bird sanctuary in 1961 and was gazetted as a national park in 1968. The lake is a Ramsar wetland and part of the Kenya Lake System World Heritage Site.
The park is fenced, and its landscape includes the lake shore, grassland, yellow-barked acacia (fever tree) forest, euphorbia woodland on the cliffs and the Makalia waterfall. The lake level has risen in recent years, which has changed the shoreline and moved many flamingos to other lakes.
Lake Nakuru is one of Kenya’s most important rhino sanctuaries, with both black and white rhino, and it’s one of the best places in East Africa to see them. The park is easy to reach and is often visited on the way to the Maasai Mara.
Wildlife & Biodiversity
Rhino
Black and white rhino are seen often, especially along the southern shore.
Other mammals
Rothschild’s giraffe, buffalo, lion, leopard, zebra, waterbuck and baboons are common.
Birds
Lesser and greater flamingos still visit in varying numbers. Pelicans, cormorants and more than 450 other bird species have been recorded.
Best Time to Visit
Short answer: June to October and January to February, during the dry seasons.
| Months | Season | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Jan – Feb | Short dry season | Warm, dry and good for game viewing. |
| Mar – May | Long rains | Green and quiet. Some tracks can be muddy. |
| Jun – Oct | Long dry season | The best game viewing and the busiest time. |
| Nov – Dec | Short rains | Afternoon showers and green landscapes. |
Flamingo numbers change from year to year. Ask locally if you're visiting mainly for them.
Getting There
By air
| Airport | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jomo Kenyatta International (NBO), Nairobi | Most international visitors | About 3 hours by road. |
By road
From Nairobi, take the A104 north-west to Nakuru town. The main gate is on the edge of town, and the Lanet and Nderit gates are to the east and south.
Entrance & Fees
Kenya Wildlife Service charges a daily conservation fee per person, paid electronically through eCitizen. Lake Nakuru is one of KWS's premium parks.
| Visitor | Adult | Child / student |
|---|---|---|
| Non-resident | US$90 | US$45 |
| African citizen | US$50 | US$25 |
| Kenyan resident | KSh 2,025 | KSh 1,050 |
| East African citizen | KSh 1,500 | KSh 750 |
Vehicle fees are extra.
Fees last checked October 2026 against the KWS conservation fees schedule (October 2025).
