Nakuru

Nakuru is a fast-growing city in Kenya's Great Rift Valley and the capital of Nakuru County. Set about 1,850 metres above sea level and roughly 160 km northwest of Nairobi, it combines urban convenience with easy access to lakes, volcanic craters, national parks and farmland.

The city was founded in 1904 as a railway outpost on the line linking Nairobi with western Kenya, and later became the capital of the former Rift Valley Province. Its colonial past remains visible at sites such as Lord Egerton Castle, while the surrounding landscape has long supported farming, commerce and settlement.

Lake Nakuru National Park, a short drive south of the centre, is internationally known for its flamingos, rhinos and Rothschild's giraffes. Other attractions include the forested Menengai Crater, one of Africa's largest calderas, and the Hyrax Hill Prehistoric Site, a major Neolithic and Iron Age archaeological area.

Neighbourhoods range from the busy central business district to quieter residential areas such as Milimani and lake-facing districts. The city serves as an agricultural, retail and transport hub for the Rift Valley, with a railway station, the Nairobi–Eldoret highway and institutions such as Egerton University nearby.

For visitors, Nakuru is a practical base for safaris, nature photography and regional travel, while its hotels, conference venues and agro-industry connections also make it relevant for business travellers.