Lake Nakuru National Park
Black and white rhinos, flamingos and about 450 bird species on a shallow soda lake in Kenya's Rift Valley, about 156 km northwest of Nairobi.
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Lake Nakuru National Park is in Kenya's Rift Valley, about 156 km northwest of Nairobi. The park covers 188 km² around Lake Nakuru, a shallow soda lake whose shores have drawn large flocks of flamingos. The bird list runs to about 450 species. It is also one of the places in Kenya where you can see both black and white rhinos.
A short, focused trip suits the park well. A day trip from Nairobi is possible, but the road takes several hours each way, so plan the day around the drive. An overnight stay gives you time for early drives, when the light and the animals are easier to see. June to October are the drier months and the easiest for game viewing, while the rains turn the grassland green. Lake Naivasha is a possible pairing, since both lakes sit in the same part of the Rift Valley.
Lake Nakuru National Park in five
- Read the UK advice before you plan the driveThe UK lists safari parks among places terrorists could target and advises daylight arrivals, reputable operators, no safari tours from touts and obeying wardens.UK travel advice
- Budget for a premium-park feeKWS lists Lake Nakuru in its premium group: USD 90 per adult and USD 45 per child for non-residents, plus a vehicle charge. A daily fee is valid for up to 24 hours.KWS fee schedule
- Come for rhinos and birdsKWS calls the park Kenya's first rhino sanctuary, with black and white rhinos, and lists about 450 bird species. Flamingo numbers shift with the lake, so treat them as a bonus.
- Pick the gate that fits your routeKWS names Lanet Gate and Nderit Gate off the Nairobi to Nakuru highway, and the Main Gate 4 km from Nakuru city. Gates open at 6:00 AM and close at 6:00 PM unless you stay overnight.
- Pair it with Lake Naivasha on the same roadThe park is 156 km northwest of Nairobi on the A104, and Hell's Gate and Mt Longonot sit on the same highway. A night at Naivasha splits the drive.Lake Naivasha guide
Need to know
- Entrance
- USD 90 adult, USD 45 child for non-residents, per day (KWS)
- Permits
- Paid through KWS; a daily fee lasts up to 24 hours
- Season
- Year-round; gates 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM (KWS)
- Nearest town
- Nakuru, 4 km from the Main Gate
- Getting there
- 156 km northwest of Nairobi on the A104 (KWS)
Weather by month
- Best
- JanuaryDry, warm
- FebruaryDry, warmest
- MarchRains start
- AprilLong rains
- MayLong rains
- JuneDrier, cool
- JulyDry, cool
- AugustDry, cool
- SeptemberDry, warm
- OctoberShowers start
- NovemberShort rains
- DecemberDrying, warm
Right now in Lake Nakuru National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
20
- Feels like
- 19°
- Humidity
- 46%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 87%
Lake Nakuru National Park
11:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today25°15°87%Monday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 87%.
- Tue24°15°61%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 24°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 61%.
- Wed26°14°47%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 47%.
- Thu25°16°97%Thursday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Fri23°15°93%Friday: Rain. High 23°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 93%.
- Sat25°15°69%Saturday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Sun24°15°96%Sunday: Drizzle. High 24°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 96%.
Updated 07:46 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 129.9 KES
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Lake Nakuru National Park
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Lake Nakuru National Park, checked
- KWS lists Lake Nakuru among premium parks at USD 90 per adult and USD 45 per child for non-residents; a daily fee is valid for up to 24 hours.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
- Stay in your vehicle outside designated areas, keep to a 40 km/h limit, stay on established roads and keep at least 20 meters from wildlife.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
- KWS parks are single-use plastic free, so carry a refillable bottle and take your trash out with you.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
Plan around Lake Nakuru National Park
Hell's Gate and a lake base on the same highway
Read the guideMaasai MaraThe classic next stop for a Rift Valley loop
Read the guideNairobiWhere most Nakuru drives start
Read the guideAmboseliAnother premium park, for elephants and Kilimanjaro
Read the guideKenya eTA guideApply online before you fly
Read the guideAll of KenyaParks, the coast and entry rules
Read the guideLake Nakuru National Park FAQ
Is Lake Nakuru National Park worth visiting?
Yes for rhinos, birds and an easy day from Nairobi. It is smaller than the Mara or Tsavo, so it fits a day or a night, not a long safari. Add Lake Naivasha or the Mara if you want a longer route.
How much does Lake Nakuru National Park cost?
KWS lists USD 90 per adult and USD 45 per child for non-residents, with a vehicle charge on top. The schedule can change, so check the KWS page or ask your operator whether fees are included.
Can I visit Lake Nakuru as a day trip from Nairobi?
It is possible, since the park is 156 km from Nairobi, but the drive and a 6:00 PM gate close make a long day. A night near Nakuru or Naivasha gives more time with the rhinos and less time on the road.
Will I see flamingos at Lake Nakuru?
KWS says the lake was first protected as a bird sanctuary for flamingos and other waterbirds, but numbers change with the water. Ask your guide what the lake is holding before you plan around them.
What are the rules for driving in the park?
KWS sets a 40 km/h speed limit, no off-road driving, a 20-meter distance from wildlife and no leaving your vehicle outside designated areas. Gates open at 6:00 AM and close at 6:00 PM.