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After the cool forests of Mount Kenya, our next stop brought us back into classic safari territory—with a few unforgettable twists.
Lake Nakuru National Park and nearby Lake Elmenteita gave us some of the most emotional wildlife moments of our entire 12-day Kenya itinerary, including our first up-close lion sightings and a crash of white rhinos (baby included 🥹).
We visited Lake Nakuru and Lake Elmenteita on day seven of our trip, traveling from Mount Kenya with two other couples, Allison and Ryan and Emily and Bryan, before continuing on to the Maasai Mara.
Our time here was short—just half a day in Lake Nakuru National Park followed by an overnight stay at Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp—but it packed in an incredible mix of wildlife, scenery, and one of the most beautiful lodges we stayed at in Kenya.
In this post, I’m sharing exactly what it was like to safari in Lake Nakuru National Park, see flamingos and rhinos in the wild, and stay along the shores of Lake Elmenteita—plus how this stop fits perfectly into a well-paced Kenya safari itinerary.
Lake Nakuru National Park Overview
Located in central Kenya, Lake Nakuru National Park is one of the country’s most famous and accessible safari destinations.
It’s especially known for its birdlife, rhino conservation, and dramatic lake scenery.
The park sits within the Great Rift Valley and centers around Lake Nakuru, a shallow soda lake that has historically attracted thousands of flamingos, earning it the nickname “the pink lake.”
While rising water levels in recent years have caused flamingo numbers to fluctuate, Lake Nakuru National Park remains one of the best places in Kenya to see:
- Black and white rhinos
- Rothschild’s giraffes
- Lions and leopards
- Hippos and buffalo
- Hundreds of bird species
Unlike larger parks like the Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru National Park is relatively compact, making wildlife sightings more concentrated and easier to experience in a shorter amount of time.
For us, it was one of the most emotionally memorable safari stops of the trip—and a perfect transition between Mount Kenya and the Mara.
Why Lake Nakuru Is Famous for Flamingos
Lake Nakuru has long been one of Kenya’s most iconic flamingo destinations, thanks to its shallow, alkaline waters that support blue-green algae, flamingos’ primary food source.
At its peak, hundreds of thousands (sometimes millions) of flamingos have gathered here, turning the lake’s shoreline pink.
That said, flamingo populations naturally fluctuate depending on rainfall, water levels, and algae availability.
In recent years, many flamingos have shifted between other Rift Valley lakes like Lake Bogoria and Lake Elementaita.
Even when flamingo numbers are lower, Lake Nakuru remains one of the best parks in Kenya for rhino sightings, along with lions, leopards, giraffes, and incredible birdlife.
Come for the possibility of flamingos, but stay for the rhinos. This park delivers regardless!
Getting to Lake Nakuru & Lake Elmenteita
From Mount Kenya
From Mount Kenya National Park, the drive to Lake Nakuru or Lake Elmenteita takes approximately 3–4 hours, depending on road conditions and stops along the way.
The route winds through rural towns and offers a fascinating look at everyday life in Kenya outside the parks.
We traveled by private safari vehicle with our guide Dennis (through Sense of Africa), which made the transition seamless and allowed us to begin wildlife spotting as soon as we entered Lake Nakuru National Park.
A Broad Recommendation: It might not be glamorous, but a VENUS TO MARS Female Urinal is a must for any safari trip. On long drives in Kenya, bathroom stops were limited or sometimes just squat toilets, and this definitely came in handy more than once.
From Nairobi
From Nairobi, Lake Nakuru is one of the easiest safari parks to access, located about 2.5–3 hours northwest via paved roads through the Great Rift Valley.
Lake Elmenteita is located just south of Nakuru and adds only a short detour if you’re staying overnight.
A Broad Recommendation: If this is your first safari stop after Nairobi, Nakuru is a fantastic introduction—manageable size, diverse wildlife, and dramatic scenery.
Where to Stay Near Lake Nakuru
If you’re planning a stop at Lake Nakuru National Park, here are some great lodging options depending on your travel style:
Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp (Luxury & Scenic – Our Pick)
Located just outside Nakuru in the Soysambu Conservancy, this is ideal if you want a peaceful, high-end stay with incredible views, exceptional service, and easy access to Nakuru.
Perfect for slowing down between game drives.
Lake Nakuru Lodge (Located Inside the Park)
A great mid-range option located within Lake Nakuru National Park itself.
Staying inside the park allows for earlier game drives and maximizes wildlife viewing time.
Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge (Comfortable & Reliable)
Another solid choice inside the park, known for spacious grounds, consistent service, and good value for money.
👉 If your priority is wildlife time, stay inside the park. If you want scenery, luxury, and downtime, Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp is well worth the short drive.
Lake Nakuru National Park Safari Experience
We entered Lake Nakuru National Park in the early afternoon after driving from Mount Kenya, and almost immediately, the wildlife sightings began.
The first animals we encountered were troops of baboons lounging right along the roadside—adults and babies alike.
We’d seen lots of baboons throughout the trip (specifically in Samburu National Reserve), but these were incredibly close to the vehicle, giving us the opportunity to really watch their interactions.
A Broad Recommendation: Even when monkeys seem calm or curious, it’s important to keep your distance. They’re incredibly smart, can get into just about anything, and can carry diseases like rabies, so never try to touch them, even if they approach your vehicle.
Not long after, we had the moment we’d been waiting for since arriving in Kenya.
Two lions were resting under a tree just steps from the road!
Dennis pulled the vehicle right alongside them, and I genuinely thought I might cry—I’d been counting down to this moment for days.
Seeing lions in the wild, so close and completely unfazed by us, felt surreal.
Dennis mentioned that they appeared alert, possibly monitoring the area.
He suspected there may have been cubs nearby—or perhaps a recent kill—based on their behavior and the number of flies surrounding them.
While we didn’t spot any cubs, the experience alone was more than enough to leave us buzzing.
And, we obviously needed to take a million pictures, including a selfie of us and the lions to commemorate the moment, haha.
Then came the sighting that truly overwhelmed me.
We came upon a crash of white rhinos, including a baby!
At this point, I was feeling miserable (I’d been sick basically since we arrived in Kenya) and had barely been able to speak for days—but seeing that baby rhino brought instant tears to my eyes.
If you’ve read my full Kenya or Nairobi posts, you know that I’d adopted a baby rhino through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and wasn’t able to visit him, so this felt incredibly full-circle, and this little baby was so cute!
Seeing rhinos in the wild, especially a baby, was by far one of the most meaningful moments of the entire trip for me.
Here are some quick white rhino facts (since I’m completely obsessed):
- White rhinos are one of Africa’s two rhino species
- They’re grazers and need to eat daily
- Females often live in groups called crashes
- After dropping to fewer than 100 individuals in the late 1800s, the population has rebounded to more than 18,000 today—wow!
Before leaving the park, Dennis allowed us to briefly step out of the vehicle for a group photo—a rare moment and one we didn’t take lightly.
Lake Nakuru National Park may be smaller than other safari destinations, but its wildlife encounters definitely pack an emotional punch!
Where We Stayed: Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp
Around 4:30 pm, we arrived at Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp, where we were welcomed with chilled glasses of champagne—Dennis included.
It was immediately clear that this stop was going to be special!
Located within the Soysambu Conservancy, the camp sits overlooking Lake Elmenteita, another small soda lake known for flamingos and exceptional birdlife.
The Rooms
The setting felt peaceful, expansive, and wildly scenic, and the rooms were massive, with:
- King-sized beds
- Private decks
- Oversized bathrooms (honestly big enough for 10 people)
The Amenities
There was also a stunning outdoor pool, which quickly became our favorite place to unwind after the drive.
We spent the rest of the afternoon here, popping bottles of champagne and taking in the breathtaking views, before getting ready for dinner.
Of all the accommodations on our Kenya trip, this was my personal favorite. I mean just look at those views—absolutely gorgeous!
Multi-Course Dinner
That evening, we enjoyed a multi-course dinner while watching zebras graze near a watering hole just beyond the camp’s boundaries—one of those “is this real life?” safari moments.
There was a set menu, which was included in our stay, and a few options for appetizer, aperitif, main course, dessert and coffee/tea.
Not only was the food delicious, but we also practically had the place to ourselves until around 8 pm when another group showed up!
A Broad Recommendation: Note that you can’t drink the water in Kenya, and drinks are typically not included with your hotel stay, so budget accordingly for these.
Surprise Bush Breakfast
The next morning brought one of the most magical experiences of the trip: a surprise bush breakfast.
Hotel staff guided us along a grassy path to a beautifully set table overlooking the lake, where flamingos dotted the shoreline in the distance.
Champagne flowed, service was impeccable, and the entire setup felt straight out of a movie.
That said…this is also where I learned a very important safari lesson the hard way.
Between malaria meds, antibiotics, and cold medicine, I forgot the golden rule of travel health: never take antibiotics on an empty stomach, especially before a champagne-filled safari breakfast!
Let’s just say the staff handled the situation with incredible grace, kindness, and concern, which honestly only reinforced how exceptional the service at Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp truly was.
Despite how embarrassing this was for me, my friends and I still laugh about the experience today, and it definitely makes for a great story!
A Broad Recommendation: If I had to do it all over again, I’d definitely look into getting travel medical insurance for safari. While I haven’t personally used SafetyWing yet, their Nomad Essential plan stands out for international trips like this.
Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp was the perfect blend of luxury, scenery, and serenity—and certainly an unforgettable stop before heading to the Maasai Mara.
Is Lake Nakuru National Park Worth Visiting?
Short answer: Yes—especially if you’re building a well-paced Kenya safari itinerary.
Lake Nakuru National Park is worth visiting if:
- You want a high chance of seeing rhinos
- You’re short on time but still want impactful wildlife sightings
- You enjoy scenic landscapes and birdlife alongside big game
Lake Elmenteita is also worth visiting if:
- You want a luxury safari stay without entering a massive national park
- You love peaceful scenery and slower moments between game drives
- You’re interested in birdlife, flamingos, and Rift Valley views
Together, they make an excellent one-two punch:
👉 Nakuru for wildlife intensity
👉 Elmenteita for rest, views, and a touch of indulgence
If you’re deciding between the two, Nakuru is the priority—but Elmenteita elevates the experience.
Where This Fits into a Kenya Safari Itinerary
Lake Nakuru and Lake Elmenteita fit perfectly into a central Kenya safari route, especially if you’re moving north to south (or vice versa).
Here’s how this stop worked in our itinerary:
- Nairobi: where you’ll start and end your Kenyan safari
- Samburu National Reserve: remote, rugged wildlife experiences
- Mount Kenya National Park: forest landscapes and unique lodging
- Lake Nakuru National Park: rhinos, lions, and birdlife
- Lake Elmenteita: luxury camp + downtime
- Maasai Mara National Reserve: iconic big game and open savannahs
👉 If you’re planning a similar route, check out:
- Our special animal encounters in Nairobi
- Our Samburu National Reserve safari experience
- Visiting Mount Kenya National Park + where to stay
- Our Maasai Mara safari experience
This central stop helped break up longer drives, provided diversity to the trip—both in landscapes and wildlife—and added in some much-needed relaxation time!
What to Pack for Lake Nakuru & Elmenteita
Lake Nakuru and Lake Elmenteita feel very different from Kenya’s hotter, open savannah parks. Here’s what I’m especially glad we packed:
- Layers for cooler temperatures: Mornings and evenings can be surprisingly cool, especially around Lake Elmenteita. A light jacket, fleece, or long-sleeve top is essential.
- Neutral safari clothing: Stick to khaki, olive, beige, or brown for game drives. These colors blend into the environment and help avoid attracting insects.
- Comfortable, closed-toe shoes: Even if you’re mostly in the vehicle, closed shoes are better for walking around lodges, bush breakfasts, and uneven ground.
- Bathing suit: You won’t want to miss lounging by the pool at Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp!
- Nicer outfit for meals: You can pack a few of these and rotate between them at the various lodges.
- Binoculars: Lake Nakuru is fantastic for birdlife and distant wildlife sightings, and binoculars make a huge difference.
- Camera with zoom lens: Animals often appear closer than expected, but a zoom lens helps capture rhinos, lions, and birds without disturbing them. I took all of my photos on an iPhone 11 Pro, but Emily brought her camera, and hers turned out much better than mine!
- Bug spray: This is especially important around lakes and forested areas.
- Medication & snacks: Safari days start early and meals can be spaced out. Always remember to eat before taking malaria meds or antibiotics (I learned this one the hard way!).
- Flashlight or headlamp: You’ll want one of these for walking around the camp at night.
👉 For more details about traveling to Kenya, how to prepare, what to expect, what to pack, and more, check out my complete Kenya travel tips guide!
FAQ: Lake Nakuru & Lake Elmenteita
Q: Where is Lake Nakuru National Park located?
Lake Nakuru National Park is located in central Kenya, within the Great Rift Valley, about three hours northwest of Nairobi.
Q: Is Lake Nakuru National Park worth visiting?
Yes—especially if you want to see rhinos, flamingos, and diverse wildlife in a shorter amount of time. Its compact size makes sightings more concentrated than in larger parks.
Q: What animals can you see in Lake Nakuru National Park?
Lake Nakuru is famous for black and white rhinos, lions, leopards, Rothschild’s giraffes, buffalo, hippos, and hundreds of bird species.
Q: Are there still flamingos at Lake Nakuru?
Flamingo numbers fluctuate due to water levels, but some have returned in recent years. Even when flamingos are fewer, the park remains excellent for wildlife viewing.
Q: How much time do you need at Lake Nakuru National Park?
Half a day is enough for a safari drive, though staying overnight nearby allows for a more relaxed experience.
And as always, I wish we could’ve stayed even longer. This was one of our favorite experiences of the whole trip!
Q: Where is the best place to stay near Lake Nakuru?
Popular options include Lake Nakuru Lodge, Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge, and Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp (located just outside the park in Soysambu Conservancy).
Final Thoughts on Lake Nakuru & Elmenteita
Lake Nakuru National Park may not be as vast as the Maasai Mara, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in memorable wildlife encounters.
Between the rhinos, lions, ever-changing flamingo populations, and dramatic Rift Valley scenery, this stop delivered some of the most emotional moments of our entire Kenya adventure!
Pairing it with a stay at Lake Elmenteita added balance—equal parts safari excitement and slow, luxurious moments to soak it all in.
If you’re planning your first trip to Kenya or looking to build a well-rounded safari itinerary, Lake Nakuru deserves a spot on your list.
👉 Next up: How to Spend 3 Days in Maasai Mara National Reserve
Safe travels!
XOXO Sara at Travel A-Broads
Sara is the founder of and voice behind Travel A-Broads, a travel blog designed to empower women to explore the world boldly and safely.
A Sr. Manager of a Data Engineering team (aka math nerd) by day and travel enthusiast by night, Sara shares practical tips, curated itineraries, and inspiring stories from her adventures across 5 continents and 28+ countries and helps curious, independent women plan smarter, travel farther, and feel more connected along the way.
Read more about Sara’s journey here, and start planning your next adventure today!