Nakuru
Kenya · Africa
About Nakuru
Nakuru, sometimes referred to as Nakuru City, is the capital city of Nakuru County, Kenya. As of 2019, Nakuru had an urban population of 570,674. The city lies along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway, 160 kilometres (99 mi) from Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. In December 2021, Nakuru City became the fourth urban area in Kenya to be assigned the status of "city".
By virtue of being within Nakuru County, the city is variously considered to be part of either the Mount Kenya region or the Great Rift Valley region, although neither region is an official administrative nor governmental subdivision of Kenya. Nakuru City is the largest urban area (by population) of both the Mount Kenya region and the Great Rift Valley region.
Archaeological discoveries were located about 8 kilometres (26,000 ft) from the Central Business District at Hyrax Hill.
The city was incepted on 28 January 1904 when a local area one mile away from the railway station's main entrance was proclaimed to be a township by the British authorities. The name of the town was derived from the Maasai-speaking people of Kenya.
During the colonial era, the British established Nakuru as part of the White Highlands and...
Nakuru travel guide
Understand
Nakuru is the administrative and economical headquarters of Nakuru County. Sitting between Nairobi and Western Kenya, it also serves as a transit city for many travellers. Nakuru is the fourth largest city in Kenya after Kisumu City.
Getting there
By plane L. Nakuru airstrip is available for landing.
By train Passenger services from Nairobi and Kisumu resumed in 2021. Rehabilitation on the line from the border with Uganda via Eldoret is ongoing and passenger services is expected to commence in 2022.
1 Nakuru railway station. (updated May 2021)
By car From Nairobi, the 158-km (100-mile) journey would take approximately 2 hours. The roads can be dangerous as not all sections have dual carriageways. The scenery is beautiful, from Nairobi you will see the Great Rift Valley below from the highway. To Nakuru from Kericho it is 108 km, from Nyahururu it is 65 km, and from Eldoret it is 156 km.
By bus and shuttle Mololine Prestige Shuttle, Crossroads, 2NK shuttle offer 9-seater up to 14 seater minivan services to Nairobi, Kisumu and Eldoret. Mololine Prestige Shuttle is known for its excellent service and security. It has only 10 seats per minivan. Takes 3 hours. The large bus companies Easy Coach & Modern Coast Express have Nairobi to Kampala coaches which stop in Nakuru. Busways have booking offices opposite the mosque. Easy Coach & Modern Coast Express has buses from Nairobi 3 hours, Eldoret 3 hours, Kisumu 4 hours. There are also buses going from Kericho, Nyahururu and Kisii. There also other buses from Kigali, Trinity buses are an example. Tosha Express buses from Nakuru to Nairobi or from Nakuru to Kitale which goes northward to Kakuma Refugee Camp in Turkana
See
Lake Nakuru National Park is home to the famous pink flamingoes. It also offers viewing of various other species of animals and birds. Menengai Crater is a dormant volcanoes that still spews out smoke. A view from the edge of the crater is a must.
1 Hyrax Hill Prehistoric Site and Museum. A major site of Neolithic and Iron Age findings in Kenya, includes a museum. (updated May 2021)
Do
You can visit the Lake Nakuru National Park which is nearby or get inside the malls. Visit a game of rugby at Nakuru Athletics Club on a Saturday at 2PM and 4PM.
1 Lake Nakuru National Park. (updated May 2021) 2 Menengai Forest. (updated May 2021)
Buy
Westside Mall, Kenyatta Aveune, ☏ +254 717333813. 9AM-9PM. Has a Naivas supermarket and a food court. (updated Jun 2023) Ecobank, westside mall, ☏ +254 20-2883000. 24 hour. Has a no-fee Master Card/Visa Card ATM. (updated Jun 2023) Naivas Supermarket, old Nairobi Road Milimani Estate. 8AM-9PM. (updated Jun 2023) Quick Mart Supermarket, Pandit Nehru Road.. 8AM-9PM. (updated Jun 2023) Clean Self Supermarket, Pandit Nehru Road.. 8AM-8PM. (updated Jun 2023) Cooperative Bank, Kenyatta aveune (city center). 24 hours. Has a no fee Mastercard/Visa card ATM. (updated Jun 2023)
Eat
Budget Rift Fries Restaurant, Inder singh road. 8am-8pm. great value for money food.
Mid-range Taidys (Mburu Gichua road at the south end by the roundabout.). A mix of African and Western food. Pizza Ksh 300, most courses a little less.
Splurge Merica Hotel (Wwst end of Kenyatta Avenue). Western food in an upmarket hotel. Meals for around Ksh 500, they also have a pool you can use for Ksh 300.
Drink & nightlife
Local drinks (Tusker) from the local bars, pops are available.
Sleep
There are a great many budget hotels available in Nakuru, many are within 5 minutes walking distance from the Matatu station.
Budget Care Guest House, Gusii road (city centre), ☏ +254 721636447. Single/double room with own hot water bathroom. Ksh 800/1200. (updated Jun 2023) 1 Premier lodge, ☏ +254 710119592. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 10:00. Wifi. Parking. Rooms with mosquito net and bathroom/hot shower. Cafe with simple food on site. Have power generator, but it is used only in the morning/at night during longer outages. 600-1000 Ksh. (updated Sep 2021)
Mid-range 2 Chester Hotel, General Kariba Street, near Moi Rd (100 metres west of Afraha Stadium), ☏ +254 020-2327654. Check-out: 10AM. Clean, secure, and comfortable hotel with pleasant staff. Wireless internet in lobby, good restaurant. US$40/single, $60/double, $85/triple. (updated Jan 2013)
Splurge
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.