Rift Valley Lakes
Flamingo shores and dramatic escarpments
KenyaAbout Rift Valley Lakes
The Great Rift Valley cradles a string of spectacular lakes — Nakuru, Naivasha, Elementaita, and Bogoria — each with its own character. Lake Nakuru National Park is a rhino sanctuary framed by flamingo-pink shorelines, while Naivasha offers boat safaris among hippos and fish eagles.
Nearby, Hell's Gate National Park lets you walk and cycle among giraffe and zebra beneath towering gorge walls — the landscape that inspired The Lion King.
Highlights
- Black and white rhino at Lake Nakuru
- Flamingo flocks at Nakuru, Elementaita and Bogoria
- Boat safaris on Lake Naivasha
- Cycling safaris in Hell's Gate gorge
- Bogoria's hot springs and geysers
Iconic Wildlife
- Rhino
- Flamingo
- Hippo
- Leopard
- Buffalo
- Fish Eagle
Best Time to Visit
Year-round; June – March for birdlife at its peak
Safaris Featuring Rift Valley Lakes
The Royal Kenya Odyssey – 15 Days / 14 Nights
A grand journey through Kenya’s finest parks — from the legendary Maasai Mara to the golden beaches of Mombasa. Experience wildlife, culture, and coast in one unforgettable odyssey.
The Savannah Sojourn – 7 Days / 6 Nights
An enchanting safari through Kenya’s iconic landscapes — Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, and the white sands of Mombasa. Ideal for travelers seeking adventure and serenity.
The Mara Majesty – 8 Days / 7 Nights
Capture the essence of Kenya’s Great Rift Valley and Maasai Mara — an ideal safari for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers.
Where to Stay in Rift Valley Lakes
Luxury LodgeLake Nakuru National ParkSarova Lion Hill Game Lodge
Terraced into a hillside overlooking Lake Nakuru, Lion Hill's chalets sit among acacia gardens alive with birdsong. Rhino, flamingo, and leopard country begins at the gate.
Luxury LodgeLake NaivashaLake Naivasha Sopa Resort
Set in 150 acres of grassland running down to Lake Naivasha's shore, the Sopa Resort shares its grounds with giraffe, waterbuck, and resident hippos that graze the lawns at night.
Tented CampLake Elementaita, Soysambu ConservancyLake Elmenteita Serena Camp
An elegant tented camp on the shores of flamingo-fringed Lake Elementaita, within the private Soysambu Conservancy. Four-poster beds, claw-foot tubs, and Rift Valley sunsets in glorious seclusion.