List Of Best Places To Visit In Nakuru County

This article will look at the Best Places to visit in Nakuru County. Nakuru County is beautiful and it’s one of Kenya’s most seen and highly recommended tourist destinations of all time. Nakuru attracts both local and international tourists due to its unique locations, beautiful destinations, and parks that you can’t pass up.

The Rift Valley capital is popularly known as a ‘Flamingo City’ thanks to the birds found at the nearby Lake Nakuru Below is a list of the best places to visit in Nakuru County.

Affordable Places To Visit In Nakuru

1. Menengai Crater

The Menengai Crater is a popular tourist destination in Kenya, known for its stunning scenery. Visitors from around the world, including Uganda, Nigeria, Britain, India, Western Kenya, and the Coast, come to this site. Some believe that it holds spiritual significance, and they spend time praying and reflecting, feeling the presence of a divine being. To reach the crater, visitors can drive about five kilometres north of Nakuru city. The Menengai Crater is one of the largest volcanic craters globally, covering an area of 90 square kilometres.

The caldera offers various attractions, such as breathtaking views of Lake Nakuru and Nakuru City, nature trails, hiking paths, caves, and picnic spots, making it an ideal location for hiking enthusiasts. Visitors can climb the crater’s walls using a long murram road strewn with massive rocks to reach a roadblock guarded by Kenya Forest Service officers. Visitors must pay at least Sh200 to enter the site, which is surrounded by lush forests filled with flowering plants, grasses, Kirk’s dik-diks, and slender mongooses. Visitors can also see black-faced vervet monkeys, tree hyrax, mountain reedbuck, Verreaux’s eagle, Abyssinian ground hornbill, African marsh harrier, and a variety of forest bird species.

2. Lord Egerton Castle

Also known as the “Castle of Love”. Lord Maurice Egerton of Tatton built the architectural marvel in the 1930s. Lord Egerton arrived in Kenya in the 1920s and settled in the Nakuru region, where other royals, such as Lord Delamere, resided. Later, he constructed a four-room cottage to impress the Austrian princess he was about to marry. The young lady, on the other hand, was unimpressed and only stayed for two hours in the compound. This prompted Egerton to build a larger house, and in 1938 he laid the groundwork for the 52-roomed castle.

The magnificent mansion still did not fit the lady’s status, and she left for England in 1954, refusing to marry him. Visit this magnificent site to learn the full story of Egerton’s heartbreak and devastation. You’ll also hear how he pinned notes to tree branches to warn women not to enter his compound.

3. Hyrax Hill Pre-historic Site and Museum

Hyrax Hill, located opposite Naka Estate, has a sublime view at the top of the hill. It is an excellent place to spend time with your loved one because it is not crowded. It is important to note that Hyrax Hill is a prehistoric site. It is a rocky spur with a summit elevation of approximately 1,900 metres above sea level. Louis Leaky discovered the site while excavating in 1926. It was named after a small mammal that lives in rocky areas. The animals were once common in the area, but their numbers have declined due to urbanisation. There is a picnic area, a camping area, a nature trail, a beautiful view of Lake Nakuru, and a Tortoise Pit. Hyrax Hill is in the centre of the Rift Valley, about 4km from Nakuru town.

Mr. A. Selfe’s former farmhouse, built in 1965, now houses the museum. This exhibit features artefacts from Hyrax Hill and other South Rift Valley sites.

4. Hell’s Gate National Park

Hell’s Gate National Park is located on Lake Naivasha’s southern shore. This incredible park is well-known for its naturally formed rock towers. This destination’s high cliffs and eroded gulleys must be quite soothing. The best thing about this national park is that it is made up of two extinct volcanoes named Olkaria and Hobley. Furthermore, Hell’s Gate Gorge contains two volcanic plugs, the Central Tower and Fischer’s Tower. The Central Tower is identified as the smaller gorge that runs south to the hot springs.

This park is a great place to go sightseeing because it has a diverse range of flora and fauna. You can easily see zebra, buffalo, eland, giraffe, hartebeest, Thomson’s gazelles, baboons, and the exquisite Chandler’s mountain reedbuck. This park also has lions, cheetahs, and leopards. More than 100 species of birds have been discovered here, including Verreaux’s eagles, vultures, swifts, and augur buzzards. Klipspringer, a shy antelope that has adapted to living on rocks, lives among the massive cliffs.

5. Lake Nakuru National Park

This is a three-in-one national park. It provides a beautiful view of Lake Nakuru, and there are wild animals to see. Adults pay KSh 872 and children pay as little as Ksh 250 to enter the park. Lake Nakuru National Park is one of the most visited game parks in Kenya, attracting thousands of travellers every year. The park is famous for its flamingos, Lake Nakuru is also home to other bird species, wildlife, and attraction sites. There are bushy green parts in the park that you don’t see in Maasai Mara. Highlight the White Rhinos.

The park was designated a bird sanctuary in 1961 and extended to 6,000 hectares in 1964 before 63 square kilometres were gazetted in 1968. It was extended to its current size of 188 square kilometres in 1974 with generous funding from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). In 1984, it was established as the first government-managed rhino sanctuary. In 1987, it was declared a Ramsar site because of its importance as a wetland and, more recently, as a Unesco World Heritage Site alongside lakes Bogoria and Elementaita.

We highly recommend this Park if you are short on time or prefer short & easy game drives. When visiting this park, expect to see rhinos, giraffes, zebras, baboons, and other wild animals. There are also several tourist attractions in the park, such as Makalia Falls, and viewpoints such as Baboon Cliff and Lion Hill.

6. Kariandusi Pre-historic Site

Kariandusi is an archaeological site located on the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway, east of Lake Elementaita. It was discovered in 1928 by Louis Leakey, a well-known palaeontologist, during one of his first trips to the central Rift Valley. The location is well-known for its heavy hand axes, cleaver specimens, excavated fossils, and volcanic glass knives. Other tourist attractions in Kariandusi include a museum exhibition hall and an archaeological site. There is a gorge, a cave, a picnic area, and a nature trail among them.

Visit Kariandusi if you enjoy history and want to see tools from Africa’s early Stone Age. It is open from 8 am to 6 pm and has guides who offer site tours. When visiting the archaeological site, take a therapeutic bath in the nearby hot springs. The naturally heated pool is nearby and free to use.

7. Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha is located in the Great Rift Valley. The name of the lake has been derived from the local language, Nai’ posha, which means “rough water”. This body of water covers an area of approximately 139 km2. Flower farms and swamps surround the lake. It is a haven for birds and hippos. Visitors enjoy boat riding and watching the fish eagle dive to catch its prey. Also, the Hippocampus grazes the banks.

8. Lake Elementaita

Have you ever witnessed the beauty of pelicans? They are abundant in the area surrounding Lake Elementaita, which spans 18 square kilometres in a semi-arid region. This lake is home to a variety of wildlife, including zebras, antelopes, giraffes, and jackals. It is also a popular destination for bird enthusiasts, who can observe greater and lesser flamingos feeding on crustaceans, insect larvae, and suspended blue algae, respectively. Other bird species that can be seen include kingfishers, marabou storks, and crested grebes, with a total of 450 species recorded in the area.

Lake Elementaita is considered the fifth wetland of international importance and has been added to the Ramsar list. At the southern end of the lake, there are Kikopey hot springs, where tilapia grahami breed. The hills and acacia forest surrounding the lake make it a beautiful area for hikes, picnics, and nature walks. Nearby attractions include the Delamares’ Soysambu Conservancy and the Kariandusi prehistoric site.

If you are planning to visit, there are several hotels in the area, including the Sentrim Elementaita Lodge, Sirville Lake Elementaita, and the Lake Elementaita Serena Camp. The newest four-star facility is the Lake Elementaita Mountain Lodge, which was set up a year ago and overlooks the lake off the Nairobi-Nakuru highway near Gilgil town. The property, owned by Superior Homes, features a conference centre, 52 cottages, a restaurant, a gym, and a spa, making it a wonderful place to stay during your visit.

9. Crescent Island Game Conservancy

There is only one game sanctuary named “Crescent Island,” located on Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley, Kenya. It is considered one of the most stunning parks in Kenya and is often referred to as Naivasha’s best-kept secret. Being a peninsula surrounded by water, the park is currently accessible only by boat from the east or West side.

So head over to Crescent Island to spend the morning, and afternoon, or bring a picnic and spend the whole day with the beautiful birds and graceful animals. The shores host abundant birdlife, including pelicans, cormorants, and fish-eagles with their haunting cry. There are more animals per acre than in any other Kenyan park; hence, many film companies have been to the island to film the herds of Wildebeest, Waterbuck, Zebra, and Gazelle. Take a short boat ride and you are among the animals. Sit among the giraffes and zebras and contemplate life.

10. Kigio Wildlife Conservancy

Kigio Wildlife Conservancy is a community-owned wildlife conservancy in Gilgil. It was founded in 1997 and spans 3,500 acres. The conservancy is home to over 100 indigenous plant species, various bird species, and animals such as the African buffalo, common eland, waterbuck, gazelles, zebras, hyenas, leopards, hippopotamus, caracal, honey badger, and spring hare. It is ideal for game-viewing activities.

11. Subukia Shrine

This location is the most visited tourist site in Nakuru, particularly among Christian believers. Situated in the Great Rift Valley Escarpment in Subukia, it is one of the primary religious sites in Kenya. While it is intended to be a shrine for Catholic pilgrims, the Village of Mary, Mother of God, is also a significant tourist attraction. The shrine is owned by the Kenya Episcopal Conference and managed by the Franciscan Friars, a Catholic order. It was named the Village of Mary, Mother of God, in 1984 by Maurice Cardinal Otunga.

12. Heaven’s Gate

Heaven’s Gate is a peaceful location managed by a church in Gilgil constituency, overlooking the lake. It is a perfect place for Christians to fast and pray for a few days, seeking peace. The hilltop provides stunning views of the lake and surrounding areas, making it a popular destination for pilgrims. The site includes guesthouses, a prayer hall, watchtowers, and beautiful landscaping.

13. The River Njoro

The Holy Caves of Njoro, also referred to as the River, is a revered destination for Christians seeking to pray and meditate. It is a crucial resource for the nearby communities and has immense cultural and historical significance for archaeologists. Several pilgrims consider the River as Kenya’s version of the Jordan River in the Middle East

14. Lake Bogoria

If you’re searching for an amazing place to visit near Nakuru, be sure to visit the stunning Lake Bogoria National Reserve. This reserve features Lake Bogoria, which is a shallow freshwater lake and part of UNESCO’s Kenya Lake System, as well as wildlife spots and natural geysers.

From July to December, millions of lesser flamingos migrate to Kenya from Lake Natron, and they can often be found on the shoreline of Lake Bogoria. The incredible mass of pink flamingos is a sight to behold, much like the wildebeests in Masai Mara. Visitors to the reserve can also enjoy watching wildlife or checking out the hot springs and geysers. If you’re only staying for a day, consider visiting Lake Bogoria Spa Resort and exploring Lake Baringo. This untouched paradise offers breathtaking landscapes, wildlife, and birds in every direction.

15. Sleeping Warrior and Ugali Hills

If you’re looking for a moderate and picturesque hiking trail in Kenya, Sleeping Warrior, and Ugali Hills are two prominent hills located near the shores of Lake Elementaita. Sleeping Warrior looks like a man lying down on his back, while Ugali Hills resemble the traditional staple food in Kenya, Ugali, a type of stiff maize flour porridge. The hike takes 5–6 hours and is suitable for hikers of all levels. Local groups organise day trips to Sleeping Warrior and Ugali Hills from Nairobi. Alternatively, you can also request your accommodation facility in Elementaita or Nakuru to arrange for a local guide. Don’t forget to wear appropriate hiking gear.

1. List Of Best Places To Visit In Kitengela

2. List Of Best Places To Visit In Thika

3. List Of Best Places To Visit In Ruiru

4. List Of Best Places To Visit Along Namanga Road

5. List Of Best Places To Visit In Kikuyu Town

6. List Of Best Places To Visit In Malindi

7. Best Places To Visit In Laikipia County

8. List Of Best Places To Visit In Kisumu County

9. Best Places To Visit In Kisii County

10. Best Places To Visit In Uasin Gishu County

11. List Of Best Places To Visit In Embu County

12. List Of Best Places To Visit In Nyamira County