Lake Nakuru National Park in Nakuru Town (Main Gate), Nakuru: Tickets, Hours and Family Guide
Animals and wildlife in Nakuru Town (Main Gate), Nakuru
Photo: Auto-generated feature card
Lake Nakuru National Park is a KWS premium park about 156 km from Nairobi, known for rhinos, lions, giraffes and flamingos. Entry is KSh 1,500 per adult and KSh 750 per child for East African citizens, paid online through KWSPay and valid for 24 hours. Most visitors need half a day or more for a game drive.
What is Lake Nakuru National Park?
Lake Nakuru National Park is a KWS premium park around a shallow soda lake in the Rift Valley, about 156 km from Nairobi and 4 km from Nakuru town. It is known for its rhino sanctuary, lions, giraffes and thousands of flamingos at the lake when conditions allow, and its compact size makes game drives rewarding.
Fees follow the 2025 KWS tariff and are valid for 24 hours; all payments are made online through KWSPay on eCitizen. Vehicle fees and guide fees are extra, and camping is available. Most visitors do a game drive of a few hours, with a stop at viewpoints along the lake.
Lake Nakuru National Park ticket prices 2026
| Visitor type | Adult | Child (3 to 17) | Under 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya / East African resident | KES 1,500 | KES 750,317 | KES 3 |
| Non-resident | KES 90 | KES 45 | KES 3 |
2025 KWS premium-park tariff: East African citizens KSh 1,500 adult / KSh 750 child; Kenya residents KSh 2,025 / KSh 1,050; African citizens USD 50 / USD 25; non-residents USD 90 / USD 45. Fees are valid for 24 hours, and vehicle fees are extra. Camping is about KSh 500 per person for citizens and residents and USD 30 for non-residents. Many web pages still show older, lower rates.
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💡 Money-saving tips for families
- Pay online before you go KWS fees are cashless | Share the vehicle fee
Is it right for your child's age?
| Age group | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 years | Okay | Short game drives in the car, with breaks | 3–5 years |
Key details
- Address
- Lake Nakuru National Park, main gate about 4 km from Nakuru town (Lanet Gate also used), Nakuru County, Nakuru
- Opening hours
- Daily 6am to 6pm
- Suitable ages
- All ages
- Setting
- Outdoor
What to expect when you visit
Pay your KWS fee online through KWSPay and carry your receipt and ID. Then enter at the main gate or Lanet Gate and drive the park's tracks in your own or a hired vehicle.
Stay in your vehicle except at marked viewpoints, and keep your distance from the animals.
Family essentials
- Safety notes
Stay in your vehicle except at marked viewpoints and follow park rules.
Tickets and costs
- Free entry rules
- No
- Extra costs (activities, rentals, food)
Vehicle fee, guide, camping, night drives and other activities
Plan your visit
- How to get there
Main gate about 4 km from Nakuru town, on the Nairobi–Nakuru highway (A104). Lanet Gate is also used.
- By car
- About 156 km, roughly 2.5 to 3 hours from Nairobi via the A104 highway
- Combine with
Hyrax Hill Museum | Menengai Crater | Lord Egerton Castle
- What to bring
Binoculars, camera, water, hat, snacks, KWS receipt and ID
What to pack
Tick off what you have. Your list saves automatically on this device.
Family day bag checklist
What visitors say
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Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to visit Lake Nakuru National Park?
- Kenya and East African resident adults pay KES 1,500 and resident children (ages 3 to 17) pay KES 750,317. Non-resident adults pay KES 90 and non-resident children pay KES 45. Children under 3 pay KES 3. 2025 KWS premium-park tariff: East African citizens KSh 1,500 adult / KSh 750 child; Kenya residents KSh 2,025 / KSh 1,050; African citizens USD 50 / USD 25; non-residents USD 90 / USD 45. Fees are valid for 24 hours, and vehicle fees are extra. Camping is about KSh 500 per person for citizens and residents and USD 30 for non-residents. Many web pages still show older, lower rates.
- What are the Lake Nakuru National Park opening hours?
- Daily 6am to 6pm.
- How do you get to Lake Nakuru National Park?
- About 156 km, roughly 2.5 to 3 hours from Nairobi via the A104 highway. Main gate about 4 km from Nakuru town, on the Nairobi–Nakuru highway (A104). Lanet Gate is also used.
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