When is the best time to visit Lake Nakuru National Park?

On our scoring, the strongest months are February, June, July. That score is computed from three years of rainfall and temperature: drier months concentrate animals around water and make the roads easier, which is what actually drives game-viewing. April scores lowest — usually because it is the wettest. That does not make it a bad month, but it is a different trip: greener, quieter and less predictable.

What is the weather like in Lake Nakuru National Park in July?

Typically around 34mm of rain across the month, with daytime highs near 24°C. These are averages from the last three years of records, not a forecast — East African rainfall varies a great deal year to year.

How do I get to Lake Nakuru National Park?

You fly. It is roughly 10.6 hours door-to-door from Arusha including transfers — there is no sensible road option.

How many nights should I spend in Lake Nakuru National Park?

Two to three nights is where most people land, and three is better than two. One night means you arrive, sleep, and leave — you spend more of it driving than looking. The single most common planning mistake we see is too many parks with too few nights in each.

Accommodation is the biggest lever by a distance — ultra-luxury from about $1,100 a night, luxury from about $520 a night, mid-range from about $380 a night per person. The park itself, the guide and the animals are identical whichever you choose. Park fees are set by the government and charged per person per day.

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Rift Valley, Kenya

Lake Nakuru National Park

3 safaris 30 attractions mapped ● 20°C Partly cloudy

Plan a trip here View safaris

Area 188 km²

Elevation 1,758 m

Coordinates -0.367, 36.083

Now 20°C · 6 km/h

Overview

About Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru National Park is Kenya's premier rhino sanctuary, protecting both black and white rhino within a fenced reserve alongside an alkaline lake that turns pink with flamingo flocks. Rothschild's giraffe — one of Africa's rarest — can also be seen here.

Lake Nakuru is one of the Rift Valley lakes, located at an elevation of 1,754 m (5,755 ft) above sea level. It lies to the south of Nakuru, in the rift valley of Kenya and is protected by Lake Nakuru National Park.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

At a glance

5 mountains & peaks
3 picnic sites
10 historical sites
12 viewpoints & attractions

Peaks Picnic sites Historical Other

Table Mountain Elmenteita

Peak

▲ 2,270 m -0.420, 36.290

Lake Nakuru National Park

About Lake Nakuru National Park

At a glance

Every attraction, plotted

Mountains & Peaks

Table Mountain Elmenteita

Menengai Crater

Mt Clara

Sleeping Warrior Nose

Seeping Warrior Forehead

Picnic Sites

Baboon Cliff

Out of Africa Picnic Site

Lion Hill Picnic Site

Historical Sites

KFA Rounda About

Hyrax Hill

Kariandusi upper pre-historic site

Kariandusi lower pre-historic site

Aic murnyu

Aic murunyu

Site I Late Iron age settlement

Egerton Castle

Kariandusi pre-historic site

Daniel Toroitich

Viewpoints & Other Attractions

Baboon Cliff View Point

Makalia Falls Public Campsite

Makalia Falls viewpoint

Kembu Campsite

Lake Elementaita Lodge Campsite

Lion HIíll Viewpoint

Causeway Viewpoint

Makalia Falls

View on lake

Nderit Gate Lake Nakuru National Park

Ziwa Bush Lodge

Flamingo Viewpoint

When to visit Lake Nakuru National Park

Ready to explore Lake Nakuru National Park?