Holiday time is here. The beautiful county has a wide range of alternative holiday destinations and activities. Check out the ones below.

Lake Elementaita

Elementeita is derived from the Maasai word muteita, meaning “dust place”. This is a reference to the dryness and dustiness of the area, especially between January and March. 

If you’re a birdwatcher, you’re in for the treat of a lifetime. Lake Nakuru/Lake Elementaita basin. Elementaita attracts visiting greater and lesser varieties of flamingos, which feed on the lake’s crustacean and insect larvae and its suspended blue-green algae, respectively. 

The lake is a protected area due to its bird life and has been named a UNESCO heritage site together with Lake Nakuru and Lake Bogoria.

Lord Egerton Castle

This calls for a little history lesson. But it’s also a romantic lesson; as it’s about the great lengths a man can go to impress the love of his life.

Lord Maurice Egerton was born into a royal family of Lords in 1874. He came to Kenya in 1920 when the British colonized the country. At 45, Lord Egerton courted an Austrian princess. He built a four-roomed cottage hoping it would impress the woman of his life, but it did not.

That’s when he embarked on constructing an edifice of such grandeur as had never been seen in Kenya. Once again, the lady was unimpressed. She left for Australia in 1954 and married a filmmaker. 

During the 38 years he lived in Africa, Lord Egerton played a crucial role in Kenyan education. He founded the current Egerton University, which was formerly used to train European settlers. Lord Maurice Egerton lived as a loner and misogynist until he died in 1958. 

Ol Doinyo Eburru forest trails

Ol Doinyo Eburru is an active complex of volcanoes in the Great Rift Valley, Kenya to the northwest of Lake Naivasha. It is being exploited for geothermal energy.

Eburru is a trekker’s paradise. Stashed away in the outskirts of Naivasha, the sudden transition from the scorching Naivasha sun to the serene ambiance and diverse ecosystem of Eburru forest’s eleven-kilometer hike is every trekker’s dream come true. Eburru forest is also home to the critically endangered mountain bongo, whose 10% of its population (about 12 animals) is known to exist in the wild and is thought to survive in this forest. 

These are some sights to behold as you meander through the forest trails; varieties of birds, a complex volcano with many craters and two distinct summits, Ogiek beehives, and other indigenous flora and fauna. 

Westside Mall

Located on Kenyatta Avenue, the main artery of Nakuru town, the 15,000sqm mall houses over 30 retail stores built to international standards and offers a comprehensive and compelling range of shopping, business, and entertainment choices.

Virtually all retail and service requirements are met under one roof. This has been achieved with the ambiance of wide malls, security, and a degree of entertainment that meets the needs and expectations of most Nakuru residents. 

Opened in 2011, this expansive shopping mall has two retail floors, three commercial office floors, separate food courts, a large atrium, roomy entrance and corridors, and a professional mall maintenance crew making it a destination where local and international shoppers feel at home. The stores are open from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 7 days a week.

With ample parking and 24-hour manned security including CCTV, Westside Shopping Mall is a vibrant and sophisticated shopping destination at the heart of the Rift-valley. 

Menengai Crater

Menengai Crater is surrounded by lush forests and is protected by the Kenya Forest Service. There are numerous flowering plants and grasses, you can see Kirk’s dik-dik, and the slender mongoose. Black-faced vervet monkeys, tree hyrax, and mountain reedbuck here. If bird watching is your thing, this is also home to the Verreaux eagle, Abyssinian ground hornbill, and African Marsh Harrier along with other forest species of bird.

The attractions are viewpoints of both Lake Nakuru and Lake Bogoria, hikes and nature trails, caves, picnic spots, the Menengai caldera, mountain biking, and birding.

Soysambu Conservancy

Soysambu means “the place of striated rock” in Maasai. Sambu is also the Maasai name for cattle color. The ranch was thus named because it seldom saw rain and cattle died by the hundreds in the frequent droughts. 

In 1905 this land was bought by Lord Delamere and turned into the home estate of his burgeoning agricultural enterprise. He had walked across it when he walked in from Somalia in 1896 and found it enchanting.

Some of the noted visitors to Soysambu are Theodore Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Jomo Kenyatta, Evelyn Waugh, Edward, Prince of Wales, and Prince Amyn Aga Khan. Beryl Markham worked with the horses and wildlife artist Simon Combes who grew up in Soysambu. Oscar-winning “In a Better World” and Tomb Raider 3 were filmed in this enchanting location. 

Soysambu Conservancy, which plays a major role in the Elementaita-Nakuru Eco System, is acting to preserve a wildlife corridor from Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha. Tourism and enterprise programs are being developed to provide reinvestment for Communities and Conservation. Massive funding will be needed to help with anti-poaching security, research facilities, and wildlife management. 

Kenana Knitters

At the core of Kenana Knitters are the over 300 women who are provided with fair, sustainable, and flexible employment. They are empowered to take charge of their lives through fair wages and accessible work.

The products are Kenana Knitters are made from beautiful local, organic, natural fibers, thereby supporting local farmers. They can produce unique, sustainable, and ethical goods, hardly leaving any carbon footprint. They use both AZO-free dyes and natural plant dyes from plants grown in the area, which add vibrant and colorful depth to designs.

Lake Nakuru National Park

Explore the great outdoors at Lake Nakuru National Park, a lovely green space in Nakuru. While you’re in the area, wander around the natural setting.

Here on the shores of Lake Nakuru, the main star of the show is the flamingo. The lake’s abundance of algae attracts the vast quantity of flamingos that famously line the shore.

Hell’s Gate National Park

Explore the great outdoors at Hell’s Gate National Park, a lovely green space in Naivasha. While you’re in the area, stroll along the lakeside.

Named for the intense geothermal activity within its boundaries, the Hell’s Gate National Park is a remarkable quarter of the Great Rift Valley. Spectacular scenery including the towering cliffs, water-gouged gorges, stark rock towers, scrub-clad volcanoes, and belching plumes of geothermal steam make it one of the most atmospheric Parks in Africa. Hell’s Gate is an ideal venue for a day trip from Nairobi where, in addition to the bio-diversity that includes raptors, visitors can enjoy mountain biking, rock climbing, and a natural spa.

Kariandusi Museum

Kariandusi Museum is an early Stone Age site that has been in existence for an estimated one million years. The site of the museum was discovered by world-renowned archeologist, Louis Leakey in 1928. It is among the first discoveries of the Lower Paleolithic sites of East Africa. 

Located on Lake Elementaita at the southeastern end of the Great Rift Valley, this museum is one of the major attractions for history buffs.

Hyrax Hill Prehistoric Site

Located about four kilometers from Nakuru city center and half a kilometer from Lake Nakuru, Hyrax is a prehistory, history, and natural history museum. 

The Hyrax Hill site was proclaimed a national monument in 1945 and opened to the public in 1965. The late Mrs. Selfe was the owner of the property. The renovation of the archaeology exhibit was made possible through the kind sponsorship of the Kenya Museum Society and consultation of the British Institute in Eastern Africa in collaboration with the National Museums of Kenya.  

The hill comprises particular importance because it encompasses several phases of occupation; it also has a long history of archaeological investigation, which began in 1937 with Mary Leakey.

Makalia Falls Viewpoint

Makalia falls campsite is the only stunning public campsite that is located in Lake Nakuru National Park, the campsite is situated next to a waterfall, Makalia falls campsite is the most incredible one during your safari in Lake Nakuru National park it’s the most favorite one that gives the most charming camping safari. 

The campsite is located 30 km from the main gate of the national park and has a capacity of 300 people. It has a toilet, bathroom, and water.

Mogotio Equator Curio Centre

A visit to this place will take you on a cultural experience, via the artifacts and crafts on sale. Located along Nakuru-Sigor Road, this curio stop is the place to get both a cultural experience and cultural education. 

Another reason to visit this tourist location is to enjoy the vibe at the equator and take pictures to remind you of your unforgettable experience. 

The distance between lake Baringo to Mogotio Equator Curio Centre is 77 Km by road. 

Krafty ArtZ

KraftyArtZ is a small workshop based in Nakuru, Kenya. They employ approximately 60 talented local Kenyan artists and artisans and make a range of stunning hand-crafted gifts and homewares, such as trays, placemats, drinks coasters, key rings, and fridge magnets. They welcome visitors to their workshop and are very happy to show people around. 

Make this a day trip in your travel itinerary. KraftyArtZ is a workshop based in Nakuru, in the heart of Kenya’s Rift Valley. A great space to pick up hand-crafted and decorated gifts and homeware of high quality. 

While in Nakuru City, make sure you visit the AMG Realtors offices at 1st Floor of D & D House along Oginga Odinga Street.

You can also visit their website at www.amgrealtors.com, Call/WhatsApp anytime at +254796888555.