Discover Nakuru: Landscape and Culture

During a stay in Nakuru, the landscape, archaeological sites, and local handicrafts can each provide a different focus. In Nakuru itself are the Creative Artisans Market and Hyrax Hill, with its Hill Fort and museum. Nearby are the Menengai Caldera and Lake Nakuru National Park. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between these locations so you can decide which themes you want to shape your stay before looking for a hotel.

Landscape and National Park Nearby

The Menengai Caldera, in Menengai Forest Station, is a large shield volcano in the Great Rift Valley, about 10 km north of Nakuru. It covers approximately 90 km², has a diameter of 12 km, and is almost half a kilometre deep. These figures describe different dimensions of this landform, so you can understand its scale from more than a single measurement.

Lake Nakuru National Park is also nearby. From the Nairobi–Nakuru highway, it can be reached via Lanet Gate, Nderit Gate, and Main Gate; Main Gate is 4 km from Nakuru City. Check current access to the gates before setting out.

Market, Hill Fort, and Archaeology

The Creative Artisans Market takes place every Friday on designated streets in Nakuru's Central Business District. Local artisans, artists, designers, and entrepreneurs meet customers there; the market promotes locally made products. If you plan to visit the market, schedule your travel dates around Friday.

Hyrax Hill's Hill Fort is on the rocky ridge north of the highest point and offers a view to the west. The partly levelled area measures 30 by 15 metres. According to the historical interpretation of the National Museums of Kenya, it served as a lookout point from which herds on the plain and approaching people could be observed.

Exhibits in the archaeology section of the Hyrax Hill Museum include a model of a Sirikwa settlement, stone tools from the Early to Late Stone Age, and skulls attributed to Australopithecus boisei and Homo erectus. The model depicts a settlement, while the tools and skulls represent different types of material evidence.

The Hyrax Hill Prehistoric Site and Museums runs educational programmes with various partners. A children's creative club at the site takes part in art activities with the local community. This places the archaeological collection and community art activities alongside one another as distinct themes.

Find a Hotel for Your Stay in Nakuru

When looking for a hotel in Nakuru, it helps to first decide on the focus of your trip. If you want to include the market or Hyrax Hill, plan to visit them during your stay in Nakuru; if you are interested in the caldera or national park, take their location nearby into account. Then compare the specific location given in the hotel listing with your own plans.

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Go to the main travel overview: Nakuru.