A short guide about Overland Expeditions to Nakuru
Nakuru means "Dust or Dusty Place" in Maasai language and it is Kenya's 4th largest city, only slightly smaller than Kisumu. It is an important agricultural city, trade centre, and transportation hub, as well as being the capital of the Rift Valley Province. Unlike most population centres in Kenya, Nakuru isn't dominated by a single tribe or Swahili, but rather a particular tribal language is widely used.
The area around Nakuru was in the headlines in the 1990’s due to tribal strife and in the elections of 1992 and 1997; the Nakuru region had erupted in violence. Traditionally, the entire Rift Valley Province had supported the then President, Daniel Moi’s ruling party of KANU. However, when many Kikuyu people migrated to the rich farmlands in the area, they brought their opposition views with them. The election of 2002, however, passed without violence and Moi was defeated. Nakuru was in the news again recently (March 2006) when it was announced that the town will be upgraded to City status alongside Kisumu and Mombasa.
Many travellers pass through Nakuru on their way west, and some stay a few days in town to see Menengai Crater or Lake Nakuru National Park, where your chances of seeing a rhino are better than any other park in Kenya. Lake Nakuru National Park is small, but tightly filled with a large variety of animals and it is located just 10 km from the city centre. Menengai Crater is a dormant volcano 2490 m high, lying about 7 km north of Nakuru town. You can drive right to the edge if you have a vehicle, but if you don’t, it isn’t a bad walk. The forested crater is not so spectacular, but the view is beautiful and it’s a nice hike to make if you want to buy some time in Nakuru.
Tourabout has many trekking and safari adventures to Kenya, where there is the greatest concentration and diversity of wildlife in East Africa. Menengai Crater and Lake Nakuru National Park are two of the main tourist attractions when passing through the city of Nakuru.