The floor of the Great Rift Valley in Kenya holds a chain of lakes, each with its own character. Some are alkaline soda lakes that can turn pink with flamingos. Others are freshwater lakes full of hippos and fish eagles. Three of them, Bogoria, Nakuru and Elementaita, form the Kenya Lake System, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
At a glance
| Best time | Year-round; flamingo numbers vary with water levels |
| Getting there | Nakuru and Naivasha are about 2 to 3 hours by road from Nairobi |
| Time needed | 1 to 3 nights |
| Big draws | Rhinos, flamingos, hippos, birdwatching |
| Good for | Road safaris between Nairobi and the Maasai Mara, birders |
Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru National Park covers about 188 km² around a soda lake.
- Rhinos: the park is a fenced rhino sanctuary and one of the best places in Kenya to see both black and white rhinos. See our white rhinoceros profile.
- Rothschild’s giraffe: a rare giraffe population was established here.
- Predators: lions, including some that climb trees, and leopards.
- Flamingos: Nakuru was once famous for vast flocks of lesser flamingos. Since about 2011 rising water levels have diluted the lake and reduced the algae flamingos eat, so many moved to other lakes. Numbers still vary from year to year.
- Waterbirds: pelicans, cormorants, storks and fish eagles.
Lake Bogoria
Lake Bogoria National Reserve, north of Nakuru, has hot springs and geysers along its shore and is now often the best place in Kenya for large flocks of lesser flamingos. Greater kudu live in the surrounding hills.
Lake Elementaita
A small, shallow soda lake between Nakuru and Naivasha, Elementaita also attracts flamingos and pelicans. Several lodges overlook it.
Lake Naivasha
A freshwater lake surrounded by acacia forest.
- Boat trips pass hippos and hunting African fish eagles.
- Crescent Island is a private sanctuary where you can walk among giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and waterbuck. There are no large predators.
- Hell’s Gate National Park, next door, has towering cliffs and a gorge. It is one of the few parks where you can cycle among zebras and giraffes.
Lake Baringo
Further north, freshwater Lake Baringo is one of Kenya’s top birding sites, with more than 470 species recorded, including owls and nightjars shown by local bird guides. Boat trips find hippos, crocodiles and fish eagles.
When to go
The lakes can be visited all year. Dry seasons (June to October and January to February) make roads easier. Flamingo numbers depend on water levels and algae rather than season, so ask locally where the flocks are before planning around them. Migrant birds from Europe and Asia arrive from about October to April.
Getting there
Naivasha is about 90 km and Nakuru about 160 km from Nairobi. Most visitors come by road, often on the way to or from the Maasai Mara. Bogoria and Baringo are two to three hours north of Nakuru.
Where to stay
Nakuru National Park has lodges inside the park and hotels in Nakuru town. Naivasha has a wide range of lakeside lodges and campsites. Bogoria and Baringo have a few lodges and camps.
Tips
- Enter Lake Nakuru early for rhinos, which are often seen grazing in the open grasslands in the morning.
- Go to Baboon Cliff in Nakuru for the classic view over the lake.
- Hire a local bird guide at Baringo.
- Cycle in Hell’s Gate early, before it gets hot.
Frequently asked questions
Are there still flamingos at Lake Nakuru? Sometimes, but in smaller numbers than in the past. Lake Bogoria and Lake Elementaita often have more. Numbers change with water levels.
Can you see rhinos at Lake Nakuru? Yes. Nakuru is a fenced rhino sanctuary with both black and white rhinos, and sightings are common.
Can you visit Lake Nakuru as a day trip from Nairobi? Yes, though it makes a long day. It is better as an overnight stop on the way to the Maasai Mara.
Which Rift Valley lake is best for birdwatching? Lake Baringo and Lake Naivasha are excellent for variety, while Bogoria and Nakuru are best for flamingos.
Related guides
- Maasai Mara safari guide
- Nairobi National Park
- Best places to see rhinos in Africa
- Animal profiles: Lesser flamingo, Great white pelican, Hippopotamus
Cover photo: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons