Nakuru County lies in Kenya's Rift Valley, in East Africa, and is best known for Lake Nakuru National Park. The lake and its shoreline draw visitors who come for the birdlife, especially the flamingos that have given the area much of its reputation.
What the park offers
Lake Nakuru National Park is a compact place to see a good range of wildlife. Visitors can look for flamingos gathered along the water, and for other animals that live in the park, including rhinos and lions. Because the park is set around the lake, many visits centre on driving the roads that run along its edges, with the water and its birds in view for much of the way.
Planning a visit
- Allow a day or more for the park, so there is time to stop and watch the animals and birds at a slower pace.
- Bring binoculars and a camera with a good zoom, since many of the birds and some animals are best seen at a distance.
- Think about the season and the water levels, as the flamingo numbers on the lake can change over the year.
Beyond the park, Nakuru County is a farming and town area of the Rift Valley, so visitors often combine a wildlife outing with time in the nearby towns and the surrounding landscape. The region suits travellers who want a focused safari-style day close to the highlands and valley scenery of central Kenya.