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Nakuru County, Kenya

Bonde

Bonde means the valley.

Nakuru County

Olkaria opened in 1981 as Africa's first geothermal station.

Capital
Nakuru City
People
2.2M
Area
7,510 km²
Altitude
1,850 m
Plan a tripTravel the road

Nakuru lies on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, full of soda lakes, volcanoes and craters. It is Kenya's third-largest county economy. Kikuyu and Kalenjin communities make up much of its population, and Nakuru became Kenya's fifth city.

Why it matters

Olkaria opened in 1981 as Africa's first geothermal station. Lakes Nakuru and Elmenteita belong to a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The economy

Farming drives the economy, with flowers and horticulture around Lake Naivasha. The Olkaria geothermal plants generate power, and Naivasha is a major transit hub.

Must-see in Nakuru

  • Lake Nakuru National Park

    Kenya's first rhino sanctuary, with black and white rhinos and about 450 bird species.

  • Baboon Cliff

    A viewpoint and picnic spot over Lake Nakuru.

  • Hell's Gate National Park

    Red-cliffed gorges and steam vents to explore on foot or by bike.

  • Fischer's Tower

    A volcanic plug in Hell's Gate popular with climbers.

  • Mount Longonot National Park

    A 2,776-metre volcano with a 7 km crater-rim hike.

  • Lake Naivasha

    A freshwater lake for boat rides and hippo spotting.

  • Lake Elmenteita

    A soda lake within the Kenya Lake System World Heritage Site.

  • Menengai Crater

    A huge extinct volcano rising above Nakuru City.

  • Hyrax Hill Prehistoric Site

    An archaeological site on the edge of the city.

Parks and wildlife in Nakuru

Music, food and culture

Kikuyu and Kalenjin traditions mix with a lively urban culture, and Hell's Gate has a Maasai Cultural Centre. Naivasha hosts the WRC Safari Rally Kenya each March.

Best time to go

June–October or January–February for hiking and game drives. Book early for March, when the Safari Rally fills Naivasha.

On the map

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Nakuru and its neighbours. Tap a county or a place to read about it.

Menengai CraterLake Nakuru National ParkLake ElmenteitaLake NaivashaHell's Gate National ParkMount Longonot National Park

Hover a county or a dot. Click to open it. Locations are approximate.

Your questions

When is the best time to visit Nakuru?

June–October or January–February for hiking and game drives. Book early for March, when the Safari Rally fills Naivasha.

What is Nakuru County known for?

Olkaria opened in 1981 as Africa's first geothermal station. Lakes Nakuru and Elmenteita belong to a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Where is Nakuru and what is its capital?

Nakuru lies on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, full of soda lakes, volcanoes and craters. It is Kenya's third-largest county economy. Kikuyu and Kalenjin communities make up much of its population, and Nakuru became Kenya's fifth city. The county capital is Nakuru City, and the 2019 census counted 2,162,202 people across about 7,510 square kilometres.

Nearby

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A giraffe and acacia tree silhouetted against a Kenyan sunset

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