Lake Nakuru

Lake Nakuru

Lake Nakuru National Park is one of Kenya’s most accessible safari parks and makes a gentle introduction to your first self-drive safari in Africa. Compared to larger parks, wildlife viewing is often easier here, thanks to the park’s compact size and well-maintained road network.

Lake Nakuru NP surrounds a shallow soda lake in the heart of the Great Rift Valley. Its varied landscape includes open grasslands, acacia woodland, rocky cliffs and several viewpoints overlooking the lake.

The park is best known for its large population of rhinos and is one of the best places in Kenya to spot both black and white rhinos. The park is also home to Rothschild’s giraffes, buffaloes, zebras and the occasional tree-climbing lions.

The lake was once famous for its vast flocks of flamingos. Today, flamingo numbers depend on water levels and seasonal conditions, so sightings can vary. Even so, the park remains a rewarding destination for birdwatchers, with pelicans, fish eagles, and many other species commonly seen along the shoreline.

Popular picnic spots include Baboon Cliff, which offers panoramic views across the lake and surrounding landscape, and Makalia Falls (see photo below), a scenic waterfall in the southern part of the park.

Approx. 4 hours | 135 km

Follow either the B5 or C83 to Rumuriti town. From Rumuriti, it’s 45 minutes to Ol Maisor Camp, of which the last 30 minutes are on a rougher dirt road.

Approx. 2 hours | 80 km

On the way, stop at Lake Elementaita to enjoy the view and stretch your legs.

Approx. 4 – 5 hours | 175 km

When your next stop is Maji Moto (175 km), the drive will take about 4 – 5 hours. Narok is the gateway town to the Masai Mara and the best place to fuel up your car and stock up on supplies. After Narok, you must follow the C12 leading to the Masai Mara, but you will exit this route near the little village of Bakitabu. Branch left where you’ll see the signpost to your camp at Maji Moto. Google Maps might lead you to the C11, but don’t take that road. It’s a very rough road, bad for the car, and will take much longer.

Approx. 5 – 6 hours | 220 km

When your next stop is the Masai Mara, there are different options to choose from. The accommodations are located in different locations near or in the Masai Mara.

For the route information, we keep Sekanani Gate as the end location. Narok is the gateway town to the Masai Mara and the best place to fuel up your car and stock up on supplies. After Narok, you must follow the C12 leading to Sekenani gate.

Note that it is also possible that your accommodation is located before you reach Sekenani gate. For your navigation, we would recommend navigating to Narok and afterwards to your accommodation if you won’t visit the Masai Mara directly.

Approx. 4 hours from Lanet gate | 150 km

It’s a lovely drive on a good paved road from Lake Nakuru National Park to Nairobi. The route takes you up and down the escarpment, with sweeping views over the Masai plains.

When your accommodation is inside the park, you can decide to do one last morning game drive before exiting the park.