Nairobi to Lake Nakuru Day Trip: Is It Really Worth It?

Thinking of hopping on a day trip from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru National Park? I get it, the images of pink flamingoes are certainly something, almost magical really, and pretty hard to resist. I took the trip, and so I’m here to give you the lowdown. Let’s explore if it lives up to the hype. This isn’t your typical brochure fluff. This is, actually, about what you might seriously expect.

What’s the Big Deal About Lake Nakuru?

Lake Nakuru National Park, which is pretty famous, is located in the Great Rift Valley, so that’s something, not too far from Nakuru town. People especially know this park for its huge gatherings of flamingoes. It’s often, too, described as this pink-rimmed shoreline, that really is quite a sight. The lake, yet, it’s not just about the birds, not entirely. There’s a decent amount of other wildlife around. Rhinos, giraffes, lions – basically, like your typical safari staples – call this area home.

The Trip There: Expect a Bit of a Drive, actually

Okay, the drive from Nairobi, right, to Lake Nakuru, that tends to be about three to four hours, or more or less, depending on traffic, of course. The roads are, well, not always great. You might, too, encounter some pretty bumpy sections. The scenery, yet, along the way, that can be quite scenic. You will get to see some of the Kenyan countryside. The landscape, it is just very nice and open.

The Flamingoes: Are They Always There? Well, no…

Here’s the tricky thing: the flamingoes. Pictures make it appear as though they are always in huge numbers, a crazy spectacle of pink. Sometimes, though, the flamingo population shifts. Changes in the lake’s salinity, seemingly, can cause them to move to other lakes. During my visit, what I found was not the crazy massive flock that the pictures suggest, but instead a fairly scattered bunch, just around the shoreline, just a bit pinkish. The scene, in short, still beautiful, yet really quite different from postcard images.

Beyond the Flamingoes: Wildlife Spotting, anyway

Thankfully, Lake Nakuru offers way more than just flamingoes. I saw white rhinos, like, up very close. So, too, herds of buffalo grazing peacefully. We spotted giraffes kind of elegantly reaching for the treetops, and even baboons running all over. Seriously, the birdlife there is amazing too, very much beyond just the flamingoes. The park, too, has viewpoints where you might stop and admire the scene.

Tour Options and What to Expect: Consider This

So, plenty of tour companies in Nairobi offer this day trip. Be certain, that is, to check exactly what is included. Some packages, for example, cover park entry fees, that could be something like US$80. Others don’t, like your choice of meals is all part of this. The guide, honestly, can make or break the experience, frankly. Opt for someone who has decent experience with spotting wildlife, someone who’s pretty clued up, so to speak, someone who can share a fair amount of information about the area and all of the animals.

Is It Worth It?: That Depends on You, really

Okay, is a day trip from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru worth the early start, too, the pretty lengthy drive? Honestly, I reckon that all depends. If you go, expecting crazy masses of flamingoes, which I did, well, you could possibly be disappointed, or really. But if what you’re after is a pretty solid safari experience, is that a chance to see various wildlife in a quite compact setting, it will be just very worthwhile. Think, that is, about your priorities and your expectations, like when you are weighing your choices.

Tips for Your Lake Nakuru Day Trip, you see

To, that is, make the very best of your day, here are just some handy suggestions:

• Bring binoculars: Really handy for seeing birds, so very far away, of course.
• Dress comfortably: Layered clothing, that way, you are prepared for cool mornings, then warm afternoons.
• Sunscreen and hat: That Kenyan sun, of course, is really intense, obviously.
• Camera with zoom: Wildlife viewing, that can vary wildly; sometimes close, sometimes not.
• Snacks and water: Always sensible, given it can be just a long day, to have things on hand to eat or drink.

FAQ About Nairobi to Lake Nakuru Day Trip, actually