Thousands of pink flamingos wading in the shallows of Lake Nakuru, with wooded hills behind

Your independent guide to Nakuru County

Nakuru County: rhinos, flamingos and the Rift Valley lakes

In the heart of Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, Nakuru County packs a rhino sanctuary, World Heritage soda lakes, a giant crater, the hippos of Lake Naivasha and the volcanic cliffs of Hell’s Gate into a few hours’ drive from Nairobi. Honest advice, hand-picked tours and everything you need to plan your trip.

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Why Nakuru County?

The Rift Valley at its most varied

Few places in Kenya pack so much into a short drive: a rhino sanctuary, three World Heritage lakes nearby, volcanoes and a freshwater lake full of hippos.

Spend a morning tracking rhinos and Rothschild’s giraffes at Lake Nakuru, watch the sun set over Menengai Crater, take a boat among the hippos of Lake Naivasha, cycle past zebras in Hell’s Gate and walk the rim of Mount Longonot, all within a couple of hours of each other.

We help you choose the right tours and safaris, find a good place to stay and get more out of every day.

1987 the year Lake Nakuru became Kenya’s first rhino sanctuary
450+ bird species recorded in Lake Nakuru National Park
2,776 m the summit of Mount Longonot

A white rhino on the grassy shore of Lake Nakuru, with a line of pink flamingos on the water behind

Traveller favourites

The best tours & safaris in Nakuru County

Top-rated experiences booked through Viator, from Lake Nakuru game drives to Hell’s Gate cycling, Naivasha boat rides and the Masai Mara. Tap any tour for live prices and availability.

A white rhino walking on the grassy shore of Lake Nakuru, with flamingos on the water behind

Day trip Year-round

Lake Nakuru day trip from Nairobi

A long day, about 12 hours
Nairobi hotels

Game drive among rhinos, buffalo, zebras and Rothschild’s giraffes
A stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint on the way

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A Rothschild’s giraffe walking across open grassland in Lake Nakuru National Park, with acacia woodland behind

Game drive Year-round

Lake Nakuru game drive

Half a day to a full day
Nakuru or Naivasha

A pop-up-roof safari vehicle and a driver-guide
Baboon Cliff and the lake shore for birds and rhinos

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Great white pelicans crowded on a fallen tree at the edge of Lake Nakuru

Day trip Year-round

Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha day tour

A full day
Nairobi or Naivasha

A game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park
A boat ride among the hippos of Lake Naivasha

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Smooth, curving rock walls and a narrow stream in the gorge at Hell’s Gate National Park

Cycling tour Year-round; the gorge closes in heavy rain

Hell’s Gate cycling and gorge tour

A full day from Nairobi, half a day from Naivasha
Nairobi or Naivasha

Cycle past zebras, giraffes and buffalo below towering cliffs
A guided walk through the Ol Njorowa gorge

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Hippos with their heads above the water among yellow flowers on Lake Naivasha

Boat trip Year-round

Lake Naivasha boat ride

1–2 hours
Lake Naivasha

Hippos, fish eagles, kingfishers and pelicans
Often combined with a walk on Crescent Island

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Boats moored at the landing on Crescent Island in Lake Naivasha, with palm and acacia trees

Walking safari Year-round

Crescent Island walking safari

2–3 hours with the boat ride
Lake Naivasha

Walk among giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and antelope
No big predators, so you can explore on foot with a guide

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The forested inside of Mount Longonot’s crater, seen from the rim

Hike Best in the dry seasons

Mount Longonot hike

A full day from Nairobi
Nairobi or Naivasha

A steep climb to the rim of a dormant volcano
Walk around the crater rim for views over the Rift Valley

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Three zebras in tall golden grass in the Masai Mara, with more zebras grazing behind

Multi-day safari Year-round; the migration is usually July to October

Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru safari

3–5 days
Nairobi

Game drives in the Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru National Park
Lodges or tented camps, transport and park fees in one booking

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Where to go

Must-see places in Nakuru County

From the rhinos of Lake Nakuru and the Menengai caldera to the hippos of Naivasha and the cliffs of Hell’s Gate.

The shoreline of Lake Nakuru, with drowned trees standing in the water and forest along the shore

National park

Lake Nakuru National Park

Rhinos, giraffes and flamingos

A fenced park around a soda lake on the edge of Nakuru, home to black and white rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, lions, buffalo and more than 450 kinds of birds, including flamingos and pelicans.

Volcano

Menengai Crater

A giant caldera above the city

One of the largest volcanic calderas in Africa, just north of Nakuru, with a viewpoint on the rim, lava fields on the floor and hiking trails down into the crater.

Soda lake

Lake Elementaita

Flamingos and the Sleeping Warrior

A shallow soda lake between Nakuru and Gilgil, part of the Kenya Lake System World Heritage Site, with flamingos and pelicans, hot springs and quiet lodges on its shores.

Lake

Lake Naivasha

Hippos, fish eagles and boat rides

A large freshwater lake in the south of the county, about two hours from Nairobi, with hippos, fish eagles, boat rides, lakeside lodges and Crescent Island.

National park

Hell’s Gate National Park

Cycle among the zebras

A small park of red cliffs, volcanic towers and a deep gorge south of Lake Naivasha, where you can walk or cycle among zebras, giraffes and buffalo.

Volcano

Mount Longonot

Hike a crater rim

A dormant volcano rising to 2,776 metres above the Rift Valley floor, with a steep trail to the rim and a walk around a forested crater.

Explore all places

Tall yellow-barked fever trees on a green lawn at Naivasha

Where to stay

City hotels, safari lodges and lakeside camps

Where you stay shapes your trip. We compare four areas, with the trade-offs of each and direct hotel searches.

Nakuru city for value and the park gate
Inside Lake Nakuru National Park for a safari night
Lake Elementaita for peace and flamingo views
Lake Naivasha for the most choice and adventures

Read the accommodation guide Search Nakuru County hotels

Stories & guides

Latest from the blog

Itineraries, wildlife, hikes and practical tips for your Rift Valley trip.

A lone zebra on the grassy plains of Lake Nakuru National Park, with the lake and hills behind

Itineraries

One day in Lake Nakuru National Park: rhinos, Baboon Cliff and Makalia Falls

October 30, 2026

How to spend a full day in Lake Nakuru National Park: an early start for rhinos, the lake shore, Baboon Cliff, a picnic at Makalia Falls and an afternoon drive back through the acacia woods.

Lake Elementaita seen over cactus-like euphorbia and bush, with the Sleeping Warrior ridge behind

Itineraries

Three days in Nakuru County: Lake Nakuru, Menengai and Lake Naivasha

October 29, 2026

A three-day plan for Nakuru County: a game drive at Lake Nakuru and sunset at Menengai Crater, Lake Elementaita and a boat ride on Lake Naivasha, then cycling in Hell’s Gate.

The cliffs of Hell’s Gate National Park above a grassy plain

Outdoors

Cycling Hell’s Gate National Park: the route, the gorge and safety tips

October 28, 2026

How to cycle Hell’s Gate National Park near Naivasha: renting a bike, the ride from Elsa Gate past Fischer’s Tower, walking the Ol Njorowa gorge with a guide, and staying safe.

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Plan like a local

Free Nakuru County travel guides

A safari vehicle with people standing in its pop-up roof, crossing the dry grass plains in Kenya

Tours & Tickets

Our pick of tours, safaris and day trips in Nakuru County: Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Hell’s Gate, Mount Longonot and the Masai Mara.

The wooded escarpment of the Great Rift Valley falling to the valley floor, seen from a viewpoint in Kenya

Getting There

Flights to Nairobi, the drive down into the Rift Valley, shuttles, matatus and getting around Nakuru County, explained.

Sunbeams breaking through clouds over the plains and a pool in Lake Nakuru National Park, with grazing zebras

Travel Guide

Seasons, weather, money, health, safety and etiquette: what to know before you visit Nakuru County.

Plan your Rift Valley trip

Rhinos, flamingos and volcanoes in the Rift Valley

Track rhinos and Rothschild’s giraffes at Lake Nakuru, cycle past zebras in Hell’s Gate, take a boat among the hippos of Lake Naivasha or hike the crater rim of Mount Longonot. Compare tours and book in a couple of taps.

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Good to know

Visiting Nakuru County: your questions answered

Is NakuruCounty.com the official website of Nakuru County?

No. NakuruCounty.com is an independent travel guide. We are not the County Government of Nakuru, Kenya Wildlife Service, a tourism board or a tour operator. When you book a tour through our links, you book with our partner Viator and the tour operator, who handle your booking, changes and refunds.

Where is Nakuru County?

Nakuru County is in the Great Rift Valley in central Kenya. Its capital, Nakuru city, is about 160 km north-west of Nairobi, and the county stretches south to Lake Naivasha, Hell’s Gate and Mount Longonot. See getting there.

What is Nakuru County known for?

For Lake Nakuru National Park and its rhinos, giraffes and flamingos, for the Rift Valley lakes of Elementaita and Naivasha, and for volcanic landscapes such as Menengai Crater, Hell’s Gate and Mount Longonot. See Lake Nakuru National Park.

How many days do I need?

One day is enough for a game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park. Three days let you add Menengai, Lake Naivasha and Hell’s Gate, and four or five days include Mount Longonot and Lake Bogoria. Start with our three-day itinerary.

When is the best time to visit?

The dry seasons, from late June to October and from January to February, are best for game drives, hiking and cycling. The long rains (about March to May) and the short rains (about November) make some tracks muddy, but the land is green and there are fewer visitors. See the best time to visit.

Is Nakuru County safe to visit?

Most visits are trouble-free. Take normal care in towns, especially after dark, avoid driving at night, and follow your guide’s advice in the parks. Check your government’s travel advice before you go. See our travel guide.