Lake Nakuru National Park:
Just a four-hour drive from Nairobi, Lake Nakuru, a 45-square-kilometer soda lake, is a hidden gem within Lake Nakuru National Park. This relatively small park is home to four of the Big Five. The lake’s alkaline waters support a thriving population of flamingos, attracted by the abundant algae.Lake Naivasha:
Nestled within the Great Rift Valley at an altitude of 1,884 meters, Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake surrounded by swamps, forests, and rock formations. Its size fluctuates with rainfall. Once a landing site for Imperial Airways planes, Lake Naivasha is now a popular destination for Nairobi residents. Enjoy a boat safari among hippos or a guided walking safari. Combine your visit with a trip to Hell’s Gate National Park or Crescent Island.
Lake Nakuru Activities:
Birdwatching – Admire the stunning flocks of flamingos on this soda lake.Lake Naivasha Activities:
Guided Hikes – Explore the surrounding landscapes on foot.Despite its relatively small size, Lake Nakuru National Park offers a diverse range of wildlife. While elephants are absent, the park is home to black and white rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, and other fascinating species. The park’s acacia forests provide a habitat for these magnificent animals.
Lake Nakuru National Park is renowned for its diverse wildlife, including rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, vervet monkeys, olive baboons, black-and-white colobus monkeys, tree-climbing lions, leopards, hippos, waterbucks, plains zebra, eland, and Thomson’s gazelle
To witness the breathtaking spectacle of flamingos at Lake Nakuru, plan your visit between November and May, when the lake’s algae levels are optimal. During the drier months of January and February, you’ll also have better chances of spotting other wildlife, as the reduced vegetation makes them more visible.
Enjoy exceptional birdwatching at Lake Nakuru any time of year. The prime season, from November to March, features favorable weather conditions and a surge of migratory birds from Europe and North Africa. It’s also the breeding season, so expect to be captivated by the birds’ vibrant plumage.
450+
Nov to Apr
During the dry season (June to December), the weather is usually sunny but not hot. There might be a light shower occasionally. Wear warm clothes for early morning safaris.
In June, July, August, September, October, November, and December, it’s sunny with a few showers. The temperature gets up to about 24°C (75°F) in the afternoon, but it’s cold in the morning and evening, around 11°C (52°F).
January and February are the driest and warmest months before the rainy season. The temperature can reach 25°C (77°F) or higher, but it’s still chilly in the morning, around 12°C (54°F).
The wet season has many cloudy days, but it doesn’t rain all day. Afternoon temperatures are comfortable around 25°C (77°F), while mornings are slightly milder at 12°C (54°F). April is the wettest month.
March and April mark the beginning of the rainy season, but March usually has little rain. Expect afternoon temperatures to reach around 25°C (77°F).
April is the wettest month, but rain doesn’t last long.
In May, the rains are starting to subside, but afternoon showers are still possible.
The main entry point to Kenya is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), located near Nairobi. Lake Nakuru is 155 km north of Nairobi and just 5 km from Nakuru town, making it easily accessible by car from Nairobi with a drive time of about 3 hours*. Lake Nakuru is also conveniently reached via roads from other parks. It is 235 km from Maasai Mara National Reserve, with an approximate 6-hour drive*, and 300 km from Samburu National Park, also around a 6-hour drive. While there are currently no scheduled flights to Lake Nakuru, we can arrange charter flights for custom safaris,
To travel to Kenya, look for flights arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) and compare the best deals that fit your travel plans. Once you’ve booked your flight ticket, please share the details with your travel consultant before confirming the safari trip to ensure everything aligns perfectly. Below is a list of airlines flying to Kenya.
While there are currently no scheduled flights to Lake Nakuru, we can arrange charter flights for custom safaris.
Please refer to our FAQ – Kenya page for information on passport, visa, vaccination, and other entry requirements.
Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha are very safe destinations with a long history of tourism. Crime is virtually nonexistent in Kenya’s parks, and as with most places worldwide, any crime typically occurs in cities. It’s advisable to take standard safety precautions in urban areas. However, on our guided tours, you are unlikely to encounter any issues, as our guides have decades of experience traveling through these Great Rift Valley parks.
Several vaccinations are recommended before traveling to Kenya. Malaria is present around Lake Nakuru, a shallow soda lake in the Rift Valley. In addition to taking antimalarial medication, it is highly recommended to use a DEET-based mosquito repellent and cover exposed skin during the evening hours.
Wildlife viewing in Lake Nakuru is very safe as long as you follow park regulations and adhere to your guide’s instructions. For further details, please refer to the ‘Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions’ section below.
Lake Nakuru National Park:
Just a four-hour drive from Nairobi, Lake Nakuru, a 45-square-kilometer soda lake, is a hidden gem within Lake Nakuru National Park. This relatively small park is home to four of the Big Five. The lake’s alkaline waters support a thriving population of flamingos, attracted by the abundant algae.Lake Naivasha:
Nestled within the Great Rift Valley at an altitude of 1,884 meters, Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake surrounded by swamps, forests, and rock formations. Its size fluctuates with rainfall. Once a landing site for Imperial Airways planes, Lake Naivasha is now a popular destination for Nairobi residents. Enjoy a boat safari among hippos or a guided walking safari. Combine your visit with a trip to Hell’s Gate National Park or Crescent Island.
Lake Nakuru Activities:
Birdwatching – Admire the stunning flocks of flamingos on this soda lake.Lake Naivasha Activities:
Guided Hikes – Explore the surrounding landscapes on foot.Despite its relatively small size, Lake Nakuru National Park offers a diverse range of wildlife. While elephants are absent, the park is home to black and white rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, and other fascinating species. The park’s acacia forests provide a habitat for these magnificent animals.
Lake Nakuru National Park is renowned for its diverse wildlife, including rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, vervet monkeys, olive baboons, black-and-white colobus monkeys, tree-climbing lions, leopards, hippos, waterbucks, plains zebra, eland, and Thomson’s gazelle
To witness the breathtaking spectacle of flamingos at Lake Nakuru, plan your visit between November and May, when the lake’s algae levels are optimal. During the drier months of January and February, you’ll also have better chances of spotting other wildlife, as the reduced vegetation makes them more visible.
Enjoy exceptional birdwatching at Lake Nakuru any time of year. The prime season, from November to March, features favorable weather conditions and a surge of migratory birds from Europe and North Africa. It’s also the breeding season, so expect to be captivated by the birds’ vibrant plumage.
450+
Nov to Apr
During the dry season (June to December), the weather is usually sunny but not hot. There might be a light shower occasionally. Wear warm clothes for early morning safaris.
In June, July, August, September, October, November, and December, it’s sunny with a few showers. The temperature gets up to about 24°C (75°F) in the afternoon, but it’s cold in the morning and evening, around 11°C (52°F).
January and February are the driest and warmest months before the rainy season. The temperature can reach 25°C (77°F) or higher, but it’s still chilly in the morning, around 12°C (54°F).
The wet season has many cloudy days, but it doesn’t rain all day. Afternoon temperatures are comfortable around 25°C (77°F), while mornings are slightly milder at 12°C (54°F). April is the wettest month.
March and April mark the beginning of the rainy season, but March usually has little rain. Expect afternoon temperatures to reach around 25°C (77°F).
April is the wettest month, but rain doesn’t last long.
In May, the rains are starting to subside, but afternoon showers are still possible.
The main entry point to Kenya is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), located near Nairobi. Lake Nakuru is 155 km north of Nairobi and just 5 km from Nakuru town, making it easily accessible by car from Nairobi with a drive time of about 3 hours*. Lake Nakuru is also conveniently reached via roads from other parks. It is 235 km from Maasai Mara National Reserve, with an approximate 6-hour drive*, and 300 km from Samburu National Park, also around a 6-hour drive. While there are currently no scheduled flights to Lake Nakuru, we can arrange charter flights for custom safaris,
To travel to Kenya, look for flights arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) and compare the best deals that fit your travel plans. Once you’ve booked your flight ticket, please share the details with your travel consultant before confirming the safari trip to ensure everything aligns perfectly. Below is a list of airlines flying to Kenya.
While there are currently no scheduled flights to Lake Nakuru, we can arrange charter flights for custom safaris.
Please refer to our FAQ – Kenya page for information on passport, visa, vaccination, and other entry requirements.
Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha are very safe destinations with a long history of tourism. Crime is virtually nonexistent in Kenya’s parks, and as with most places worldwide, any crime typically occurs in cities. It’s advisable to take standard safety precautions in urban areas. However, on our guided tours, you are unlikely to encounter any issues, as our guides have decades of experience traveling through these Great Rift Valley parks.
Several vaccinations are recommended before traveling to Kenya. Malaria is present around Lake Nakuru, a shallow soda lake in the Rift Valley. In addition to taking antimalarial medication, it is highly recommended to use a DEET-based mosquito repellent and cover exposed skin during the evening hours.
Wildlife viewing in Lake Nakuru is very safe as long as you follow park regulations and adhere to your guide’s instructions. For further details, please refer to the ‘Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions’ section below.
