Kenya’s Desert, Wildlife, and Beaches in 15 Days – Day 7
Lake Nakuru National Park was originally protected as a bird sanctuary and now a major national park of Kenya. It is situated in the heart of the dense and opulent Southern Rift Valley region in Kenya. It is well-worth the visit. We explored it on our sixth day in Kenya, after we returned from the north part of the country. The northern adventure was completely different. We had a great time at Loiyangalani, a small town located on the southeastern coast of Lake Turkana, where we also visited the El Molo tribe. Finally, it was time to enjoy the southern Kenyan safari, and the best is to start with Lake Nakuru.
Highlights of the Day
- Drive Through the Rift Valley
- Photo-Stop at Lake Baringo Viewpoint and the Equator Crossing
- Game-Drive at Lake Nakuru National Park
- Overnight Camping in Lake Nakuru National Park
Safari in Rift Valley
Breakfast was included in the hotel stay in Maralal. We had the usual Kenyan food for breakfast, similar to what we ordered for dinner on the last night. We had requested for an early breakfast as we had planned to leave early. It is a 5-h drive from Maralal to Nakuru.
It was 8 AM in the morning. We checked out from Royal Comfort Hotel in Maralal and headed to Lake Nakuru National Park. John drove us through the dramatic Great Rift Valley. About 20 million years ago, the earth’s crust enfeebled and tore itself apart creating the ragged, rough rift across the African continent. During this phenomenon, great volcanic mountains were formed by eruptions on either side of the valley. At the same time, the valley floor gradually sank into the flat plain as it is known today.
It was around 1 PM when we reached Nakuru town. We stopped there at a local restaurant, nothing fancy, for a quick lunch. By then, we had really adapted to the local food and were always looking forward to have it.
Game Drive in Lake Nakuru National Park
We entered the national park at around 2 PM and found a long line of visitors in the tickets office. I want you all to note that the national park ticket office do not accept cash. Hence, we used John’s M-Pesa, which is a mobile phone-based money transfer, and paid cash to him. You can also get a SafariCard and use it. This is an electronic ticketing system used by Kenya Wildlife Service. This gives access to selected National Parks, including Lake Nakuru National Park, along with services like camping in these parks.
The park is a heaven for birders. It is well-known for its pink flamingos. There are other birds also that inhabit the lake, such as marabou storks, African fish eagles, yellow-billed pelicans, pied kingfishers, and more.
Lake Nakuru National Park is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. It is one of Kenya’s premium parks and is the only fully fenced park in the country. It is not to keep the animals in he park but to keep poachers out. Lake Nakuru National Park is ideal for bird watching, hiking, and above all, game drives.
This national park has a lot of black and white rhinos, African buffaloes, Rothschild giraffes, zebras, impalas, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, and waterbucks. You will also see hyenas, jackals, hippopotamus, and pythons. A little less often sighted are lions, leopards, wild dogs, colobus monkeys, and cheetahs.
Makalia Falls Public Campsite in Lake Nakuru National Park
Our campsite was 30 km away from the National Park Ticket Office, located in the southern part of the lake. This is a public campsite. It has the best facilities of any inside the park, even though it was basic. We had two washroom blocks close to it with cold water running. In addition to it, there was light inside them until 8 PM. We enjoyed a 2-h game drive on the way to the campsite from the ticket office. Now we could finally set up our camps and relax for the rest of the day.
Jumah and I cooked some yummy pasta for dinner, and kept aside some for the next morning’s breakfast. The night was adventurous. It was a great experience to sleep in the national park, surrounded by wild. However, it was safe as there were security guards near the camping site. They walk around randomly to check with our safety. Still, the thought of sleeping inside tents surrounded by wild animals in the bush somewhere was really fascinating. And, a bit scary too. But this was what we were there for. Goodnight!
Total distance covered: 300 km.
NET EXPENSE FOR 1 PERSON (IN USD)
Let us have a look at the expenses of Day 7 in Kenya – Lake Nakuru National Park.
- Entrance Fee of Lake Nakuru National Park: 90
- Public Camping Site Fee: 30
- Entrance fee and camping site fee for driver and cook and vehicle fee, and tip to the security guards (1 night) shared among 3: 11
- Food: 10
- Miscellaneous: 9
- Petrol: 10
Total expense (roughly): 160 USD
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I visited Nakuru Lake in 2001, a long time ago. I was glad to see that the nature and wildlife seems to be quite well preserved. The funniest memory from our trip was when we passed “the equator” three times! Everyone wants a piece of the souvenir business. 🙂
Wow, you have been there, so you can connect well!
It must be so exciting to see all those animals in the wild. It would be awesome to drive along and see a giraffe on the road! I would definitely take a picture with the equator sign too 🙂
Yes, you must not miss it no matter how touristy it looks like.
Thank you for your article. How cool to see that giraffe just walking along the road beside you. You shared a great tip about the Park Office not accepting cash. The Safari Card sounds like the best way to go. I really enjoyed your photos especially seeing the Rift Valley, zebras etc. What a great adventure.
Yes Jane, please get the SafariCard, that’s the easiest.
Killer blog. It’s like revisiting the whole place. I loved our time there. John and Jummah were the reason for such a lovely time. We pushed like we always do but we made good in the end. Thanks to you and jummah the food was amazing and vegan. No cruelty on this safari. Love you babes. Can’t wait to head to Norway with you ?
Thanks for such a lovely comment, Richie. Can’t wait to head to the most epic trip of our lifetime!
I was actually just looking up flights to Kenya yesterday, what a timely post! How awesome to see all those animals, must have been amazing in person. You’re making me so excited to plan a trip there!
When are you heading there, Maggie?
Those rifts are amazing, reminded me of Black Canyon of Gunnison NP in Colorado. I can feel the excitement you got when seeing giraffe walking graciously by the road or baboon playing on the road. And of course the sea of pink flamingos. It must be breathtaking to see them in person.
Yes, the flamingos make the lake look spellbindingly beautiful.
This is a cracker of s post and one which helps me plan my future trip to the wild in Africa. I have this on my bucket list and your post just gives me some great information. Love The flamingos on lake Nakuru is surely the highlight of that trip It’s so amazing how you see the best of the wild in its natural habitat. The accommodation seems to be great as well and comfy. Thanks for sharing this post
Glad you liked it, Amar.
You my friend are going places that I dreamt off. Kudos to you. Was following your journey when you were in Kenya, and the whole journey looked so amazing. Kenya is truly a wildlife lovers paradise.
Such motivational words, Arnav.
What a stunning national park to visit, and so lucky you got to see all these animals too! I’ve not yet been to Kenya, but it’s my dream to do a safari like this one day. I love the giraffe just randomly walking by! Very cool to see the equator sign there too!
Kenya safaris are a thing you cannot miss!!!
Wow.. i loved your fullscape images. The Nakuru park looks gorgeous. I just love how you share all the important details. such a rich experience at 160 usd only is a real steal.
Yes Sinjana, however, the vehicle rental fee is a different thing altogether.
You know Shreya, I never really prioritised travelling to Africa but I’ve been reading all your posts and it seems I am getting inspired! I would love to go for these kind of game drives – driving along a giraffe, looking at those flamingos in the lake, casually strolling zebras and what not. It has to be an amazing experience! Even the drive through Great Rift Valley looks cool. 14 days seem to be just the right amount of time to explore the country, eh?
Medha, you will really like it. You need minimum 14 days to explore the country. 3 weeks is better though.
Wow, this looks like an incredible experience! It must be so exciting to see all those animals in the wild. The Nakuru park looks gorgeous! I’m planning to visit Kenya this year and this post sure is a great starting point.
Glad you found it useful, Daniel.
what was that Kenyan food you had? Was that ham and peas? Also, USD$90 for entrance fee in a national park is a bit too much… I think.. Would you agree? or would you say it was just right and worth it?
Lake Nakuru is a special park, they are working hard to keep the numbers of rhinos in control. Hence the fee is high, and I guess it was fair. The food was vegan, no ham.
It looks like you guys had the best time there. I loved seeing all that pink flamingos: such a pretty color touch into the wilderness.
Exactly! We loved our time there.
I am a real safari fan. I just never cease to be amazed by these natural wonders. And seeing a zebra walking by and a giraffe strolling would have been such a high. Flamingoes are on my list too. Also, the itinerary doesn’t seem really expensive too. Hope to be able to see this someday.