Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha lie on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, a short drive from Nairobi. Together they offer rhinos, hippos, remarkable birdlife and beautiful lake scenery, making them perfect for a day trip, a weekend escape or a stop on a longer Kenya safari circuit.
Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru National Park is one of Kenya’s most important rhino sanctuaries, protecting both black and white rhinos. The park is also home to Rothschild’s giraffes, buffalo, lions, leopards and waterbuck. The lake is famous for its flamingos, whose numbers vary with water levels, along with pelicans and hundreds of other bird species. Baboon Cliff offers sweeping views over the lake and the surrounding woodland.
Lake Naivasha
Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake surrounded by acacia woodland and home to large numbers of hippos. Boat rides on the lake bring you close to hippos and African fish eagles, while a guided walk on Crescent Island lets you move among giraffes, zebras and antelopes on foot. Naivasha is also the gateway to Hell’s Gate National Park.
Things to do
- Game drives in Lake Nakuru National Park to look for rhinos
- Bird watching along the lake shores
- Boat rides on Lake Naivasha among hippos and fish eagles
- Walking safaris on Crescent Island
- Views over the Great Rift Valley
Best time to visit
Both lakes can be visited all year round. The dry seasons from June to October and from January to February are best for game drives, while the wetter months bring green landscapes and migratory birds.
Getting there
Lake Naivasha is about two hours from Nairobi and Lake Nakuru about three hours, so both are easy to reach by road and combine naturally with the Maasai Mara.
Plan your Rift Valley trip
Atzum Adventures offers Lake Nakuru day trips, two and three-day safaris, and circuits linking the Rift Valley lakes with the Maasai Mara and Amboseli.
