Sunrise over Nakuru

Nakuru is a city in the Southern Rift Valley region of Kenya.

Understand

Nakuru is the administrative and economical headquarters of Nakuru County. Conveniently situated 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.

Get in

By plane

L. Nakuru airstrip is available for landing.

By train

There is only one train line. however it has not been operating for some years now.

By car

From Nairobi, the 158-km (100-mile) journey would take approximately 2 hours. The newly renovated 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. from Nakuru to Kericho it is 108 km, from Nakuru to Nyahururu it is 65 km and from Nakuru to 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 cost Ksh 500 from Nakuru to Nairobi. and 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 to Nairobi 3 hours. Eldoret 3 hours. Kisumu 3 hours.
• There are also buses going to/from Kericho, Nyahururu and Kisii.
• The large bus fare from Nakuru to Nairobi (Oct 2015) is Ksh 400.

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.

Do

You can visit the lake Nakuru National Park which is near by or get inside the malls.

Visit a game of Rugby at Nakuru Athletics Club on a Saturday at 2PM and 4PM.

Buy

• Westside Mall, Kenyatta Aveune, ☏ +254 717333813. 9am-9pm. Has a supermarket and a food court. (updated Jun 2015)
• Ecobank, Club Road (Elgon House), ☏ +254 20-2883000. 24 hour. Has a no fee Master Card/Visa Card ATM (updated Jun 2015)
• Naivas Supermarket, old Nairobi Road Milimani Estate. 8AM-9PM. (updated Sep 2015)
• Choppies Supermarket, Pandit Nehru Road.. 8AM-9PM. (updated Sep 2015)
• Tuskys Supermarket, Pandit Nehru Road.. 8AM-8PM. (updated Oct 2015)
• Equity Bank, West Road (Westside mall). 24 hours. Has a no fee Mastercard/Visa card ATM. (updated Mar 2016)

Eat

Budget

• Ribbons, Mburu Gichua Rd. African food for around Ksh 100-150 per course. 

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 (West 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

Local drinks (Tusker)from the local bars, pops are available.

• Blue Magic bar and lounge (Blue Magic bar and lounge), Kiti,mawanga. (Taxi, motorbike, tuktuk), ☏ +254 722437761, reevjay538@gmail.com. 10AM-midnight. Local and international quality drinks all at affordable prices. Wide variety of whiskeys, vodkas, brandy and beer. A place you definitely want to visit and share the experience with friendly staff and clientelle. US$10. (updated Nov 2016)

Sleep

There are a great many budget hotels available in Nakuru, many are within 5 minutes walking distance from the Matatu station.

Budget

• Nakuru Backpackers Hostel, Oginga Odinga Aveune, ☏ +254 721 543 406. Check-in: 24hr, check-out: 10AM. Hostel with a bar and hot showers. Ksh 1000 per person. 
• Shik Park view Hotel, Kenyatta Ave (Right at the start of Kenyatta Ave when coming from the Matatu station.), ☏ +254 20 2614381. The cheapest are very small rooms with bathroom, reasonably clean, with mosquito nets, and good security. Downstairs is a restaurant and a quiet bar. Ksh 1000. (updated Nov 2013)
• New Mount Sinai Hotel, Bazar road. Has single and double rooms. from Ksh 1,000. (updated Apr 2015)
• Care Guest House, Pandhit Nehru road (very near new mount sinai hotel), ☏ +254 721636447. Single/double room with own bathrooms. From Ksh 1000. (updated May 2015)
• Joska Hotel, Pandhit Nehru road (near the care guest house), ☏ +254 51 2212546. Single/double rooms From Ksh 1000. (updated May 2015)
• Carnation Hotel, Mosque Road, ☏ +254 51 2215360. Single/double rooms. Ksh 1,550. (updated May 2015)
• Salama Resort, Market road. Check-in: 11AM, check-out: 10AM. Double room with own bathroom and mosquito net, TV, free breakfast. Ksh 1000. (updated Jun 2015)
• Kaka Guest House, Mosque Road. Check-in: 10AM, check-out: 10AM. Double rooms with own bathrooms and TV. Ksh 1,000. (updated Jun 2015)
• Pekars Lodge, Mburu Gichua Road. Check-in: 10AM, check-out: 10AM. Double rooms with own bathrooms, TV, free Wi-fi, free buffet breakfast. Ksh 1,150. (updated Jun 2015)
• Rhino Campsite, Off Kabatini Road. Check-in: 11AM, check-out: 10PM. Camping in rhino campsite tent. US$13 for two persons.. (updated Jun 2015)
• Amigos Guest House, Gusil Road. (updated Sep 2015)
• Tropical Vlley Lodge, Moi Road.. (updated Sep 2015)
• Amoodis B&L, Nehru Road, ☏ +254 51-2241939. Double room with hot water bathrooms. from Ksh 1000. (updated Sep 2015)
• Avenue Suites, Kenyatta Avenue., ☏ +254 51-2210607. Single/double rooms with own hot water bathroom, nets. From Ksh 1,400. (updated Oct 2015)
• Pivot Lodge, Lower Factory Road, ☏ +254 714-471111. Single/double rooms with own hot water bathroom, nets, DSTV. From Ksh 1,500. (updated Oct 2015)
• Pandoria Hotel, Mosque Road (has six floors.). Double room with own hot water bathroom, views over the lake. Ksh 1000. (updated Oct 2015)
• Kivu Retreat Resort (out side the center close to entrance of NP.). Camping/double room with own bathroom. Swimming pool. Ksh 600-1000. (updated Oct 2015)
• El mawanga bar and lodge (El mawanga bar and lodge) (Taxi, motorbike), ☏ +254 722437761, reevjay538@gmail.com. Bar and lodge away from the town center. Safe, secure and affordable. Staff is very courteous. US$10. (updated Nov 2016)

Mid-range

• 1 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)

Connect

At the Westside Mall (intersection Kenyatta Ave and West Road) is a Java Coffee (like Starbucks) with free Wifi and good coffee. There are also many "Cyber" (internet cafes) all over down town.

Stay safe

Nakuru is safe to walk around during daytime. In the evening, Bazaar Road and the small side lanes don't feel too safe anymore. After 11PM the night security guards in front of the banks on main Kenyatta Road start to fall asleep and nobody seems to walk on the streets anymore.