Lake Nakuru National Park

Quick Facts

  • Country: Kenya
  • Size: 188 km²
  • Established: 1968
  • Counties: Nakuru
  • Wildlife: White and Black rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffe, and leopards.
  • Malaria Zone: Moderate risk.
  • GPS Coordinates: ~0°22′S 36°05′E
  • Fence Status: Fully fenced (to protect rhinos and prevent human-wildlife conflict).
  • Habitat: Alkaline soda lake, fever tree (yellow acacia) forests, and rocky escarpments.
  • Best Time to Visit: Year-round; January–March is particularly dry and good for photography.

Overview

Famous originally for the millions of flamingos that turned the lake pink, Lake Nakuru is now equally famous as a Rhino Sanctuary. The park is compact, making it easy to see a high volume of animals in a single day drive.

Wildlife Highlights

  • Rhinos: One of the most successful breeding havens for both Black and White rhinos in Africa.
  • Rothschild’s Giraffe: A rare subspecies introduced here for protection.
  • Leopards: Frequently spotted resting in the yellow fever trees.
  • Birdlife: While flamingo numbers fluctuate with water levels, pelicans and over 400 other bird species remain abundant.

Best Time to Visit

Season
Months
Weather
Dry
July–Sept / Jan–March
Best for predator sightings and easy driving.
Wet
April–June
Lush, dramatic skies; better for birdwatching.

Key Takeaway

Lake Nakuru is the "compact jewel" of the Rift Valley. It is perfect for a 1-day or 2-day addition to a longer Kenyan itinerary, offering some of the easiest rhino viewing in the world.