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Lake Nakuru National Park Travel Packages

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6 Days / 5 Nights

6 Days Kenyan Safari & Lake Adventure for Families

Nairobi (1N) → Lake Nakuru (1N) → Lake Victoria (1N) → Masai Mara (2N) → Nairobi (0N)

$ 1,610

7% off

$1,490/person

4 Days / 3 Nights

Kenya Wildlife Odyssey with Lake Nakuru Tour Pa...

Nairobi (1N) → Lake Nakuru (1N) → Aberdare National Park (1N) → Ol Pejeta Conservancy (0N)

$ 967

9% off

$871/person

8 Days / 7 Nights

8 Days Kenya Adventure Tour Package

Nairobi (1N) → Masai Mara (2N) → Lake Nakuru(1N) → Lake Naivasha(1N) → Amboseli(2N) → Nairobi(0N)

Samsons Safaris

4.6 (16 reviews)

$ 2,920

5% off

$2,774/person

10 Days / 9 Nights

10 Days Kenya Sun and Sand Safari Package

Nairobi (0N) → Ol Pejeta (1N) → Lake Nakuru (1N) → Masai Mara (2N) → Mombasa (3N) → Watamu (2N) → Malindi (0N) → Nairobi (0N)

$ 3,482

22% off

$2,711/person

9 Days / 8 Nights

9 Days Migration Special - Masai Mara, Serenget...

Nairobi (1N) → Lake Nakuru (1N) → Masai Mara (2N) → Serengeti (2N) → Ngorongoro (1N) → Arusha (1N)

$ 3,394

18% off

$2,768/person

14 Days / 13 Nights

14 Days Safari Expedition: Kenya's Wildlife and...

Nairobi (1N) → Aberdare (1N) → Buffalo Springs Reserve (5N) → Samburu Reserve (0N) → Shaba Reserve (0N) → Aberdare (1N) → Lake Nakuru (2N) → Masai Mara (3N) → Nairobi (0N)

$ 4,795

8% off

$4,367/person

View All Packages For Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru National Park Travel Essentials

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Weather:

Ideal duration: 2-3 days

Best Time: June - October Read More

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"The Flamingos Paradise"

Lake Nakuru National Park Tourism

Lake Nakuru National Park, located in in Kenya's Great Rift Valley, approximately 160 kilometers northwest of Nairobi, is named after Lake Nakuru, a shallow soda lake. It's renowned for its pink colour, created by thousands of flamingos drawn to the algae in the lake. Besides being a flamingo haven, the park protects both black and white rhinoceros species, crucial for their conservation efforts.

In addition to pink flamingos, Lake Nakuru National Park hosts more than 450 bird species and waterbirds such as pelicans, cormorants, and herons. Its diverse landscape features acacia forests, vast grasslands, and rocky cliffs, providing habitats for various African wildlife like elephants, hippos, buffaloes, zebras, lions, leopards, hyenas, antelopes, and the endangered Rothschild's giraffes. Visitors can enjoy activities like birdwatching, hiking, picnics, game drives, and camping within the park.

The nearby town of Nakuru offers various accommodation options ranging from luxury lodges to budget-friendly campsites, ensuring a comfortable stay for all visitors. The local cuisine reflects a blend of traditional Kenyan flavors, with many lodges and restaurants offering delicious dishes made from fresh, local ingredients. The best time to visit Lake Nakuru National Park is during the dry seasons from January to March and June to September when wildlife viewing is at its peak, and the roads within the park are easily navigable.

Entrance Fees to Lake Nakuru:

Park Entry Fee Per Person:
Citizen: Adult – KSH 860, Child – KSH 215
Resident: Adult – KSH 860, Child – KSH 215
Non-resident: Adult – USD 60, Child – USD 35

Vehicle Fee Per Day:
Less than 6 seats - KSH 400
6 to 12 seats - KSH 1030
13 to 25 seats - KSH 2585
25 to 44 seats - KSH 4050
45 seats and above - KSH 5000

Special Activity Charges:
Night Game Drive (per person per trip) – KSH 2155
Guided Tours (per guide up to 4 hours & over 4 hours) – KSH 1720 / KSH 3015
Horse Riding (without rider) – KSH 2585
Private horses (per day) – KSH 1030
Walking Safaris (per person per day) – KSH 1500
Cycling (per day) – KSH 215

Entrance Gates to Lake Nakuru:

Lake Nakuru National Park has two main entrance gates:

Main Gate: The main gate to Lake Nakuru National Park is approximately 4 kilometres south of Nakuru town and is commonly used by visitors from Nakuru or Nairobi.
Lanet Gate: The Lanet Gate, located on the eastern side of Lake Nakuru National Park, is about 10 kilometres northeast of Nakuru town. It is convenient for visitors coming from the eastern part of Nakuru or Nairobi.
Naishi Gate: The Naishi Gate is near the Naishi airstrip on the southern side of Lake Nakuru National Park. It offers access for visitors from the southern part of Nakuru or Nairobi.
Nderit Gate: The Nderit Gate is a lesser-known entrance to Lake Nakuru National Park. It is mainly used by visitors coming from the Masai Mara or Elementaita areas.

1. Game Drives Safari

Visitors can enjoy game drives to observe diverse wildlife, including giraffes, rhinos, buffaloes, zebras, lions, and numerous bird species. The best time for game drives is early morning or late afte (Read More)rnoon when animals are most active. Safaris typically last around 4 to 6 hours.

2. Birdwatching Safaris

Lake Nakuru National Park is renowned for its flamingos and over 400 bird species. Birdwatching safaris focus on wetlands and lakeshores. The best time for birdwatching is early morning or late aftern (Read More)oon. Safaris can last 4 to 6 hours.

3. Walking Safaris

Guided walking safaris provide an opportunity to explore the park on foot, study tracks, identify plants, and observe animal behaviour up close. The best time for walking safaris is usually early morn (Read More)ing or late afternoon. Safaris can range from a couple of hours to half a day.

4. Makalia Falls

This waterfall offers breathtaking views and is best visited in the morning to enjoy the cascading waters and capture beautiful photographs.

5. Lion Hill

Lion Hill in Lake Nakuru National Park is an elevated viewpoint that offers panoramic vistas of the surrounding landscapes, providing an excellent vantage point for admiring the beauty of the park and (Read More) potentially spotting majestic lions. You can visit it in the early morning or late afternoon to increase your chances of spotting lions and other wildlife.

6. Rhino Sanctuary

Lake Nakuru National Park is known for its successful rhino conservation efforts. It is recommended to visit the Rhino Sanctuary during the cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or late after (Read More)noon, to have a better chance of spotting rhinos.

Must Know Before You Travel to Lake Nakuru National Park

Park Timings: All entrance gates are open throughout the year from 07:00 AM to 06:00 PM.
Pre-booking: Booking for accommodations, safaris, and activities in Lake Nakuru National Park is highly recommended, ideally six months ahead.
Transfer from Airstrip: Most lodges and other accommodations offer transportation (pick-up and drop-off) service from the nearest airstrip (Naishi). You can check the same while booking your stay and get it arranged.
Cycle with Rhino: Each year in September, the park hosts the "Cycle with Rhino" event, where visitors participate in a cycling event while promoting rhino conservation awareness.
Best Time to See Flamingos in Lake Nakuru: The best time to spot flamingos in Lake Nakuru in Kenya is during the dry-hot season in January and February. You can also see them in July, August, September, and December.
Fluctuating Flamingo Numbers: Flamingo numbers can vary due to specific lake conditions. Before your visit, check with your tour operator to ensure flamingos are present.
Personal Vehicle Access: Visitors can use their own vehicles within the park.
Lake Nakuru Safari Arrangements: Lake Nakuru National Park does not directly offer safaris or organized tours. Instead, visitors can explore the park with the help of reputable safari operators, lodges, or tour companies.
Park Closure: Check for any regulations or closures, especially during bird nesting season or maintenance periods, by contacting park authorities or local tour operators before your visit.
Vehicle Fees: A separate fee is applicable for private vehicles as well as public vehicles entering the park depending on the type of vehicle.
Vaccinations: It is recommended to consult a healthcare professional or travel clinic for specific vaccination requirements. Still, common recommendations for Lake Nakuru National Park include routine vaccinations, hepatitis A, typhoid, and consideration of yellow fever if travelling from a high-risk area.

(Read More)

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More on Lake Nakuru National Park Travel

Wildlife in the Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru National Park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including over 400 bird species and more than 50 mammal species.

Flamingo Flocks & Birds of Lake Nakuru
The park is famous for its large flocks of greater and lesser flamingos, which can number up to 2 million during the nesting season, creating a stunning sight along the lake's shores. Lake Nakuru National Park is particularly famous for its vibrant pink flamingo populations on the shores of Lake Nakuru, along with African fish eagles, pied kingfishers, marabou storks, sacred ibises, and other fascinating bird species.

Rothschild Giraffes
Introduced to the park in 1977 for conservation, the endangered Rothschild Giraffe now thrives here. Lake Nakuru is a vital habitat for these giraffes, with a healthy population living within the park.

Rhinos in Lake Nakuru
The park, declared a rhino sanctuary in 1987, hosts thriving populations of both white and black rhinoceroses. In 2009, there were over 25 eastern black rhinos and about 70 southern white rhinos in the park.

Other Wildlife
There are more animals in Lake Nakuru National Park such as African elephants, zebras, waterbuck, Cape buffalo, hyenas, hippos, and various antelope species. Predators like lions, cheetahs, and leopards can sometimes be seen, with leopard sightings becoming more common. The lake attracts pelicans, cormorants, and a variety of waterfowl species. The park also hosts Nile crocodiles, monitor lizards, and snake species. Large pythons are found in the park's woodlands, often seen hanging from trees.

Travel Tips for Lake Nakuru

Payment Methods: It is advisable to carry enough cash as credit or debit cards may not be accepted everywhere.
ATM: The nearest ATM is in Nakuru town. It is best to withdraw cash before entering the park.
Shopping: Souvenirs can be purchased in lodge gift shops inside the park, but they tend to be expensive. You can consider exploring and shopping in Nakuru town for similar items at lower prices if you have the time for it.
Best Spot for Birdwatching: For prime birdwatching, visit Baboon Cliff in the park. From there, you can see Lake Nakuru and the striking pink hue created by flocks of flamingoes.
Mobile Network: The major Kenyan mobile network providers, such as Safaricom, Airtel, and Telkom, generally have coverage in and around Lake Nakuru National Park.
How Deep is Lake Nakuru: Lake Nakuru has an average depth of 1 foot (0.30 meters) and a maximum depth of 6 feet (1.8 meters).

Lake Nakuru vs Lake Naivasha

Lake Nakuru is known for its soda lake and national park, famous for its large flocks of flamingos, while Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake favoured by fish-eating birds.

Lake Nakuru boasts a vast bird population, including millions of flamingos that create a pink spectacle along its shores. It's also a rhino sanctuary, home to both black and white rhinos, as well as other wildlife like lions, giraffes, and waterbucks.

On the other hand, Lake Naivasha is celebrated for its serene beauty and diverse birdlife, with over 400 bird species, including fish eagles, herons, and pelicans. Visitors can enjoy boat safaris to explore the lake's islands and spot hippos and various waterfowl species. Crescent Island, a wildlife sanctuary within Lake Naivasha, offers walking safaris where you can get up close to giraffes, zebras, and wildebeests.

Best Time to Visit Lake Nakuru National Park

How to Reach Lake Nakuru National Park

How to Reach Overview

To reach Lake Nakuru National Park which is approximately 160 kilometres (100 miles) northwest of Nairobi, a scenic drive or taking a flight to the nearest airstrip from Nairobi is the most preferred mode of transport.

How to reach Lake Nakuru National Park by flight

Lake Nakuru National Park can be accessed by air through the Naishi airstrip, located within the park. The closest International airport to Lake Nakuru National Park is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, which is approximately 160 kilometres away. From the airport, you can take a domestic flight to the smaller Nairobi Wilson Airport. Several domestic airlines offer scheduled flights from Nairobi's Wilson Airport to the Naishi airstrip. The flight duration is approximately 30 minutes and it's a short drive of about 10 kilometres to the park's main gate.

How to reach Lake Nakuru National Park by road

The most common way to reach Lake Nakuru National Park is by road. You can drive northwest along the A104 highway towards Nakuru town from Nairobi. The distance between Nairobi and Nakuru is approximately 160 kilometres, and the journey takes around 2.5 to 3 hours. Once you reach Nakuru, it's just a short drive of about 4 kilometres to the park's main gate.

Lake Nakuru can be accessed by road from various nearby national parks. The distance from the Masai Mara National Reserve is approximately 235 km (150 miles), with a driving time of about 6 hours. If you're coming from Samburu National Reserve in the north, the distance is around 300 km and the drive takes about 5 and a half hours. The driving time from the Laikipia Plateau depends on the specific reserve you're departing from, ranging from 3 to 7 hours.

How to reach Lake Nakuru National Park by train

The Kisumu Safari train operates between Nairobi and Kisumu, making stopovers at various stations including Naivasha, Nakuru, and Muhoroni. The train departs from Nairobi on Fridays at 06:30 PM and arrives in Kisumu the next morning at 06:30 AM. The return trip departs from Kisumu on Sundays at 06:30 PM and reaches Nairobi at 06:35 AM. First-class tickets cost $15, while Economy-class tickets are priced at $4.5. The train journey takes approximately 2 hours, and once you arrive in Nakuru, you can hire a taxi or use local transport to reach the park, which is about 4 kilometres away.

How to reach Lake Nakuru National Park by bus

Buses or Matatus (shared taxis) are available from Nairobi to Nakuru town, and from there, you can hire a taxi or take a Matatu heading to Lake Nakuru National Park, which is around 7 kilometres (4 miles) from Nakuru town.

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