Are you excited about an epic African experience and do not know where to find it? Kenya offers plenty of fascinating places to explore. It is a country drenched in rich history, acclaimed with abundant natural beauty, and famous for refining its rustic ambiance and cultural sophistication. It is undoubtedly one of the best-kept travel riddles in the world. The fascinating places are overtly treasured for their beauty. In return, they offer unmatched opportunities to win down and relax in an African style.
Nakuru town sits in the Rift Valley, northwest of the capital city of Kenya, Nairobi. Nakuru, which hosts numerous tourist sites, is about 89 miles from Nairobi. It is an approximate two and a half-hour drive from the city in the sun.
We sample the top 7 sites that are a must-see when you visit Nakuru:
1. Hell’s Gate National Park;
Not a hell on earth. On the contrary, this lovely park is home to some of the most amazing and beautiful features Nakuru has to offer. The stunning park, which lies south of Lake Naivasha, is famous for its natural rock towers, cliffs, flat plains, and eroded gulleys.
The park has two extinct volcanoes, Olkaria and Hobley’s. The Hell’s Gate Gorge has two volcanic plugs, the Fischer’s Tower and Central Tower. The Central Tower is the smaller of the two and extends to the south, where a path descends into the hot springs. Did you know that this was the inspiration of the famous Lion King movie?
What to find here are the:
– Buffalos
– Zebras
– Chandlefs mountain reedbuck
– Giraffes
– Baboons
– Lions, and among others.
How to get there:
If you are using the road, be sure to find a tarmacked way from Nairobi (90km) via Naivasha Town. The main road meets the Lake Road South at a junction that is 5km south of Naivasha. You could also opt for air travel and land at the Naivasha Airstrip.
2. Lake Naivasha;
Naivasha, for quite a long time, has been more associated with the vast flower farms than the pristine freshwater Lake its home to. Situated 90 kilometers from Nairobi, the Rift Valley Lake is an hour’s drive through the slope. The freshwater lake northwest of Nairobi, outside the town of Naivasha, lies in the Great Rift Valley. The name Naivasha is derived from the local Maasai name Nai’posha which means rough waters.
The Lake is approximately 139 kilometer square and is the highest of the Rift Valley lakes. Much of the Lake is surrounded by beautiful flower farms that boast of the best flowers around. There are increasingly several swamps coming up around it, but still, it is that immaculate Lake Naivasha with abundant birdlife. Lake Naivasha is an ideal site for bird watching and exploring the shores where wildlife is found in private sanctuaries.
3. Menengai Crater;
Menengai Crater, a dormant volcano, is the second-largest crater in the world. It plummets 483 meters from the rim. The volcano, which is inactive for most of the time, is located eight kilometers from Nyahururu-Nakuru main road.
The volcano, which was formed about 200,000 years ago, has a 12×8 caldera that was also formed approximately 8000 years ago. The caldera is the best-preserved calderas in the world. If you are the type that loves hiking, there is a crater floor that is ideal for hiking. The summit of the crater is an easily accessible foot or vehicle. What are the main attractions here?
– Crater walk, or you could opt to drive
– Bird watching
– The South African National flower, the Protea
The cavity offers you a comfortable place to stay. Maili Saba is found on the rim of the crater and provides a simple tented camp where you can get the stunning views of the crater.
4. Kariandusi Park;
The historic site sits two kilometers east of Lake Elementeita, dodging the diatomite mine along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway. This Acheulian site has hand axes and knives, including fossils of extinct animal species. This site was once part of a bigger lake but now hosts home to one of the most famous museums in Kenya. Other leading museums in Nakuru are:
A. Hyrax Hill Museum;
This museum, which is located on top of the hill was once a colonial farmhouse. The museum has the ancient dwellings of the now extinct group of the Sirirkwa people. The ethnographic materials of the people of the Rift Valley are also on display here. Once you are here, take a nature trail to get an aerial view of Lake Nakuru and Nakuru town.
B. Olorgesailie Pre-historic site;
The site is located 90 km southwest of Nairobi on Magadi road. Other attractions include a museum, campsite, and nature trail.
5. Lake Nakuru National Park;
The park is located 140 km northwest of Nairobi and lies in the Nakuru district of the Rift Valley province. The salty water lake has a crispy shoreline and is surrounded by wooded and bushy grassland. The Lake is famous for its immaculate flamingoes that turn the brittle shoreline crimson. What to expect here:
TThe park is rich in both wildlife and natural plants that spread along its vast borders to give it a unique identity. Lake Nakuru National Park provides you with the following exciting features:
– Rhinos
– Buffaloes
– Lions
– Leopards
– Spotted hyena
– Vervet monkeys
– Wildebeest
– Dik dik
– Lots of bird species including pelicans and grey-crested crane.
The park has lodges within that give any visitor the ambiance and comfort to relax after a long day of sightseeing and animal viewing.
6. Lord Egerton Castle;
The castle of Ngata is 14 km from Nakuru town and sits on a 100-acre piece of land. Lord Egerton built the castle by for his wife-to-be in 1938. However, it was completed in 1954. The bride to be rejected Lord Egerton’s proposal saying the house he lived in was too small (a nest she called it). Dejected by the rejection, the heart-broken Lord never again married, despised seeing women, and eventually banned all women from accessing his property.
The Lord would later die in 1958, leaving behind this magnificent castle that has continued to attract visitors from all walks of life. The historic castle was built by 100 Indian laborers who used imported material and some local stones from the nearby Kedowa and Njiru mines. The marble and tiles used were imported from Italy and England. The castle is today managed by the Egerton University based in Njoro. It is open to tourists at all times of the year and makes a wonderful ground for parties, weddings and picnics.
7. Kikopey Hot Springs;
Kikopey hot springs is located 36km south of Nakuru town. It is approximately a 36km drive from the town. The springs sit some miles away at the southern end of Lake Elementaita. The scene is incredibly hot water that emerges from underground and rises in the air in succession.
The fascinating story about this hot springs is about the Maasai people of Kenya. They firmly believe that taking a bath in this spring could cure HIV and AIDS. The springs are breeding ground for graham tilapia that eventually abounds into the lake. There are many guest rooms and lodges here that provide sleek accommodation and delicious cuisine.
It can be hard to narrow down your to-do list of what you want to experience in this unique county of Nakuru. The town that is situated in the heart of the lush and abundant Southern Rift Valley Kenya is famous for its diverse landscapes, wildlife, and scenery. We hope the exceptional picks we’ve highlighted will give you the desired experience and fulfillment during your visit with your family. We have great picks for hotels and home-stays. Should you need assistance finding the perfect vacay home during your stay, talk to us for free expert advice.
