Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru National Park surrounds a shallow soda lake on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, about three hours from Nairobi. It is one of Kenya’s most important rhino sanctuaries, protected by a fence, and you have a very good chance of seeing both black and white rhinos here.

Game drives also bring buffaloes, waterbucks, Rothschild’s giraffes and sometimes lions and leopards, while the lakeshore is busy with great white pelicans. The famous flocks of flamingos come and go with the water level, so their numbers vary from year to year. Drive up to Baboon Cliff for a view over the whole lake.

Nakuru fits neatly between Nairobi and the Masai Mara and pairs well with a night at nearby Lake Naivasha. Mornings are best for wildlife.