Lake Nakuru National Park Review: Is It Worth Going
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This is a full Lake Nakuru National Park review to share my experience on this iconic Kenyan safari spot.
Lake Nakuru National Park is just a 3-hour drive away from Nairobi. Although not as famous as the Masai Mara or even Amboseli, it is one of the most frequented national parks in Kenya. Other than the big 5 (no elephant though) and other herbivores, the park is famous for its bird ecosystem, flamingos, and a sanctuary for white and black rhinos.
Given its proximity to Lake Naivasha (~ 1 hour and 45 minutes drive) and Nairobi (~ 3 hours drive in the same direction), it is a less exhausting same-day safari trip from Nairobi compared to the Masai Mara or Amboseli.
I visited Lake Nakuru as part of my wider Kenya–Tanzania 11-day safari trip. I took the most amazing videos there, including a shot with a baboon walking into hundreds of other animals carrying her son, and a short with endless pelicans near the lake.
Although not as popular as the Masai Mara and Amboseli, Lake Nakuru National Park is worth going to, especially as part of a longer safari trip.
🐘🐃🦓🐆🦒🦏 Recommended African Safari Package
✅ Same Day – Safari trip from Nairobi:
Masai Mara / Lake Nakuru + Naivasha / Amboseli / Nairobi National Park
✅ 3 Days 2 Nights – Masai Mara Safari trip from Nairobi:
✅ 7 Days 6 Nights – Kenya Safari trip including Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli from Nairobi:
✅ 11 Days 10 Nights – Kenya & Tanzania Safari trip including Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli from Nairobi in Kenya; Serengeti & Ngorongoro in Tanzania with departure back to Nairobi:
✅ There are also other packages online (GetYourGuide / Viator) !
2 Safaris In A Day
Lake Nakuru is the closest safari (other than the Nairobi National Park) from the Nairobi city center. Lake Naivasha is also on the same way. So it is the least exhausting safari, same day Nairobi trip from Nairobi.
Let’s Kick Off With The Beautiful Photos & Videos
The park’s landscapes are stunning, from acacia woodlands to the shimmering lake edged in pink. While I’m no pro photographer, the pictures below are just super amazing.
Also, one of my favorite videos from my whole Kenya / Tanzania vacation.
Of course, it is easier to sport Rihnos in this sanctuary.
Brief Introduction About Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru National Park, located in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, surrounds the shallow alkaline Lake Nakuru—definitely not a freshwater lake, as its high soda content creates a unique ecosystem. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Kenya Lake System, covering about 188 km² with diverse habitats like grasslands, forests, and cliffs.
You will need to pass by Lake Naivasha on the way to Lake Nakuru from Nairobi. In that, most of the day trip would include a game drive in Lake Nakuru and a boat ride in Lake Naivasha together.
🐘🐃🦓🐆🦒🦏 Recommended African Safari Package
✅ Same Day – Safari trip from Nairobi:
Masai Mara / Lake Nakuru + Naivasha / Amboseli / Nairobi National Park
✅ 3 Days 2 Nights – Masai Mara Safari trip from Nairobi:
✅ 7 Days 6 Nights – Kenya Safari trip including Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli from Nairobi:
✅ 11 Days 10 Nights – Kenya & Tanzania Safari trip including Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli from Nairobi in Kenya; Serengeti & Ngorongoro in Tanzania with departure back to Nairobi:
✅ There are also other packages online (GetYourGuide / Viator) !
Heaven For Bird Lives
Lake Nakuru National Park is not only for land and aquatic animals. It is also heaven for bird lives there. So in terms of species variety it is even better than other Kenya’s safaris.
The Animals You Expect to See There
On a typical game drive, expect to see rhinos up close—this is Kenya’s premier rhino sanctuary. As of 2025, around 150 in total, including about 70 white rhinos and 25-50 black rhinos, according to the Kenya Wildlife Service. They’re often spotted grazing or near waterholes.
Lake Nakuru National Park animals include herbivores like Rothschild’s giraffes (the ones we saw in the Nairobi Giraffe Center), Cape buffaloes in herds, common zebras, waterbucks, impalas, and elands. The herbivore crowd is a lot more amazing than the Masai Mara. I even saw a Buffalo flight during my last visit.
For canivores, there are also lions and leopards, but not as many as Masai Mara. During my 11-day safari trip, I didn’t spot any lions compared to the pride I saw in the Masai Mara. Other than that, there is also no elephant there. So save that for Amboseli National Park. There are also some hippos in pools there (though not as many as in Lake Naivasha).
Birds in Lake Nakuru National Park are a major draw, with over 450 species recorded by eBird. Highlights include African fish eagles, Verreaux’s eagles, Goliath herons, hamerkops, pied kingfishers, pelicans, cormorants, little grebes, white-winged black terns, stilts, avocets, ducks, and migratory waders.
Of course, another major highlight of Lake Nakuru is the pink Flamingos.
More About the Pink Flamingos There and the Best Time to Visit
Lake Nakuru pink flamingos are the park’s superstar attraction, turning the lake into a pink wonderland. Despite being affected by the recent floods, you can still find lots of flamingos feeding at the side of Lake Bogoria.
July to October or December to February are usually the best times to visit the park. This is the period when the waters recede and algae concentrate, and then you will be able to see over a million birds. Yet to me, late June is the best time. This is the time when the weather is closer to July, while you avoid the tourist peak season.
Cost & Opening Hours
Lake Nakuru charges per person are reasonable for a premium park. As of 2025, non-resident adults pay USD 90, and children USD 45. Opening hours are typically 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily.
The fee is similar to that of Amboseli and cheaper than the Masai Mara.
🐘🐃🦓🐆🦒🦏 Recommended African Safari Package
✅ Same Day – Safari trip from Nairobi:
Masai Mara / Lake Nakuru + Naivasha / Amboseli / Nairobi National Park
✅ 3 Days 2 Nights – Masai Mara Safari trip from Nairobi:
✅ 7 Days 6 Nights – Kenya Safari trip including Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli from Nairobi:
✅ 11 Days 10 Nights – Kenya & Tanzania Safari trip including Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli from Nairobi in Kenya; Serengeti & Ngorongoro in Tanzania with departure back to Nairobi:
✅ There are also other packages online (GetYourGuide / Viator) !
The Entrance Fee Is Not Expensive
Although not as famous as the Masai Mara, the Lake Nakuru National Park has a lower entrance fee. In general, the tours going to Lake Nakuru National Park are cheaper than other safaris in Kenya.
Which Safari To Choose: Lake Nakuru vs Masai Mara vs Amboseli
Compared to the other 2 popular safaris in Kenya, Lake Nakuru stands out for its bird species, thousands of flamingos, and, of course, being the Rhino sanctuary. However, it does not have as many elephants as Amboseli and also has a lot fewer lion prides compared to the Masai Mara.
As for popularity, the Masai Mara remains the most famous one (also the most expensive). While Amboseli has its unique backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, Lake Nakuru has its landscape with Lake Bogoria.
For the entrance fee, both Lake Nakuru and Amboseli are at USD 90 for a foreign adult, while the Masai Mara could range from USD 100 – 200.
Lake Nakuru is also the closest to Nairobi, with ~ 3 hours drive time compared to ~ 5 hours for Amboseli or Masai Mara. This is important for those who have only 2 or 3 days in Kenya. It is less exhausting to spend a day visiting Nairobi city center than another for a day trip to Lake Nakuru.
There are also day trips to Amboseli or the Masai Mara, but you will need to depart at 4 am.
So if you have 2 weeks like I did, join the 11-day safari trip to experience it all. If you can only pick one safari, of course, the Masai Mara. If you have very limited time day trip to Lake Nakuru is a good option too.
Things I Didn’t Know Before The Lake Nakuru Journey
- Flamingo numbers vary—check recent reports; in 2025, floods affected them, but they’re rebounding.
- No elephants, but rhinos are stars—over 150 protected here.
- The lake isn’t freshwater; its alkalinity supports unique life but causes fluctuations.
- Lions are present but very hard to spot
- There is a stop at Makalia Falls Viewpoint during the game drive, but it is not amazing
Lake Nakuru National Park Review – A Safari With Grass & Lake
In conclusion, Lake Nakuru National Park shines as a budget-friendly safari in Kenya, offering high-density wildlife, stunning scenery with grasses and lakes. With affordable fees (USD 90 entry), proximity to Nairobi, and must-see rhinos/flamingos, it’s ideal for those who have limited time in Nairobi or as an add-on for a wider safari journey. Not to mention, it usually pairs with Lake Naivasha to form an offer due to their proximity.
If I were to choose one safari to visit, I would still go for the Masai Mara because of its fame. However, out of the 11-day safari trip I had, I took the most stunning videos in this National Park!
🐘🐃🦓🐆🦒🦏 Recommended African Safari Package
✅ Same Day – Safari trip from Nairobi:
Masai Mara / Lake Nakuru + Naivasha / Amboseli / Nairobi National Park
✅ 3 Days 2 Nights – Masai Mara Safari trip from Nairobi:
✅ 7 Days 6 Nights – Kenya Safari trip including Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli from Nairobi:
✅ 11 Days 10 Nights – Kenya & Tanzania Safari trip including Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and Amboseli from Nairobi in Kenya; Serengeti & Ngorongoro in Tanzania with departure back to Nairobi:
✅ There are also other packages online (GetYourGuide / Viator) !
Lake Nakuru Is Worth Going
Being the Rihno sanctuary and part of the Kenya lake system, Lake Nakuru offers both experiences for land animals and aquatic ones. Adding the view of thousands flamingos, it is surely worthing going !
Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Nakuru National Park
What is 1 1-day Lake Nakuru National Park itinerary like?
Game drives, birdwatching, and rhino spotting—a perfect short trip from Nairobi.
Are there elephants in Lake Nakuru National Park?
No, due to space; try Amboseli instead.
Best time to visit Lake Nakuru National Park?
Late June has the benefit of dry weather and budget budget-friendly.
Birds in Lake Nakuru National Park?
Over 450, including fish eagles, pelicans, herons, and flamingos.
Does Lake Nakuru National Park have lions?
Yes, but sightings are occasional.
How many rhinos are in Lake Nakuru National Park?
Around 150 as of 2025.
Is Lake Nakuru a freshwater lake?
No, it’s an alkaline soda lake.
Is Lake Nakuru National Park worth visiting?
Yes, for rhinos, birds, flamingos, and budget safaris.
