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

Understand

Nakuru is the administrative and economical headquarters of Nakuru County. Convienently situated between Nairobi and Western Kenya, it also serves as a transit city for many travellers.

Get in

By plane

L.Nakuru airstrip is available for landing.

By train

There is only one train line, the Nairobi-Kisumu train, however it is not operating currently (for some years now).

By car

From Nairobi, the 158km (100 Miles)journey would take approximately 2hours. The newly renovated roads can be dangerous as only 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 kms. from Nakuru to Nyahururu it is 65 kms. and from Nakuru to Eldoret it is 156 kms.

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. has only 10 seats per minivan. takes 3 hours.

The large bus companies have Nairobi to Kampala coaches which stop in Nakuru. Busways have booking offices opposite the mosque.

Akamba has buses to Nairobi 3 hours. and Eldoret 3 hours. there are also buses going to Kericho and Nyahururu.

the Large bus fare from Nakuru to Nairobi (Oct 2015) was 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.

Buy

• C F C Stanbic Bank, Moi/Kenyatta Junction. No fee MasterCard ATM. (updated May 2015)
• Westside Mall, Kenyatta Aveune, ☏ 0717333813NOCC. 9am-9pm. Has a Nakumatt supermarket, also has a food court. (updated Jun 2015)
• Kenya Commercial Bank. has a master card/visa card ATM (updated Jun 2015)
• Naivas Supermarket, old Nairobi Road Milimani Estate. (updated Sep 2015)
• Choppies Ukwala Supermarket, Pandit Nehru Road.. (updated Sep 2015)
• Tuskys Supermarket, Pandit Nehru Road.. (updated Oct 2015)
• G T Bank, Giddo Plaza. has a Master card ATM. (updated Oct 2015)
• Equity Bank. has a Master card/Visa card ATM. (updated Mar 2016)

Eat

Budget

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

Mid-range

• Taidys (Mburu Gichua road at the south end by the roundabout.). A mix of African and Western food. Pizza 300S, most courses a little less. 

Splurge

• Merica Hotel (West end of Kenyatta Avenue). Western food in an upmarket hotel. Meals for around 500S, they also have a pool you can use for 300S 

Drink

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

• Nakuru Backpackers Hostel, Oginga Odinga Aveune, ☏ +254 (0) 721 543 406FORMAT. Check-in: 24h, check-out: 10AM. Hostel with a bar and hot showers. 1000 kshs per person. 
• Shik Park view Hotel, Kenyatta Ave (Right at the start of Kenyatta Ave when coming from the Matatu station.), ☏ 020 2614381NOCC. The cheapest are very small rooms with bathroom, reasonably clean, with mosquito nets, and good security. Downstairs is a restaurant and a quiet bar. 650 KES (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), ☏ 0721636447NOCC. single/double room with own bathrooms. from 800 KSH. (updated May 2015)
• Joska Hotel, Pandhit Nehru road (near the care guest house), ☏ 2212546NOCC. single/double rooms from 800 KSH.. (updated May 2015)
• Carnation Hotel, Mosque road, ☏ 2215360NOCC. 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. has free breakfast. Ksh 750. (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 WIFI. has a 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. $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, ☏ 051-2241939NOCC. double room with hot water bathrooms. Ksh 800. (updated Sep 2015)
• Avenue Suites, Kenyatta Avenue., ☏ 051-2210607NOCC. single/double rooms with own hot water bathroom. nets. from Ksh 1,400. (updated Oct 2015)
• Pivot Lodge, Lower Factory Road, ☏ 0714-471111NOCC. 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. has views over the lake. Ksh 800.. (updated Oct 2015)
• Kivu Retreat Resort (out side the center close to entrance of NP.). camping/double room with own bathroom. has a swimming pool. Ksh 600/ 1000. (updated Oct 2015)

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. $40/single, $60/double, $85/triple (January 2013). 

Connect

At the Westside Mall (intersection Kenyatta Ave and West Road) is a new 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 23:00 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.