About
Nakuru is a major city in the Rift Valley of Kenya, in Nakuru County, East Africa. Its location in the valley makes it a useful base for travellers exploring this part of the country, and it is best understood as a working city with a clear draw nearby.
Why visitors come
The main reason to visit Nakuru is its proximity to Lake Nakuru National Park. The park sits close to the city and is the natural focus of most trips here, offering a chance to see the wildlife and landscapes that the Rift Valley is known for. For many visitors, the city serves as the place to arrange a stay, eat and rest before or after time in the park.
What to expect in the city
- A lively urban centre that gives a sense of everyday life in the Rift Valley
- Accommodation and services that suit a short stop or a longer stay
- Easy access to Lake Nakuru National Park from the city
Because the city is the gateway to the park, it works well as an overnight stop. Visitors who enjoy combining a town with a natural area will find Nakuru a practical choice, and those planning a day trip into the national park can use the city as their starting point.
If you are deciding whether to go, consider whether you want a base near the park and a town to return to at the end of the day. Nakuru offers both, and it sits in the heart of a region that rewards travellers interested in Kenya's wide valley scenery and its wildlife.
