Lake Elementaita at a glance
Lake Elementaita is a lake in the Rift Valley, about 120 km north of Nairobi, 40 km north of Naivasha and 45 km south of Nakuru. You reach it from the A104, the main road to Nakuru. The lake was declared a wildlife sanctuary on 16 July 2010, and since 2011 it has belonged to the UNESCO Kenya Lake System, together with Lake Nakuru and Lake Bogoria.
Most people see it as part of a bigger trip. If you drive between Naivasha and Nakuru, the lake lies on the way, so it fits well with Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru day trips from Nairobi. These distances point to the lake region, not to every gate. The road to the sanctuary and the road to Soysambu are not the same, so ask your driver or lodge which one you will use. The protected area covers 2,534 ha as the UNESCO component and 18 km² as the sanctuary, because the boundaries differ. Read neither figure as the size of the lake itself.
Flamingos and hot springs at Lake Elementaita
Flamingos are the reason many visitors stop here. A joint survey in 2025 recorded both flamingo species at Lake Nakuru and Lake Elementaita. That says the birds use both lakes. It does not tell you how many are there on your day. Flamingos move between lakes within weeks, and the Rift Valley lakes change with the water level, so treat a sighting as a bonus and not as the plan.
Elementaita is also not a sure replacement for Nakuru. Rising water has changed conditions on several of these lakes, and flamingo counts have swung from lake to lake. Our page on flamingos and changing water levels explains what that means for your timing.
The lake also has permanent warm springs. They are a habitat and breeding area for tilapia, a fish. They are a natural feature, not a bathing facility, so plan to look at them and not to swim or soak.
Our pick: Lake Elementaita added to Nakuru
This is the tour that visits Lake Elementaita as well as Lake Nakuru National Park.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Lake Nakuru tours and day trips from Nairobi
Safaris, day trips with a Naivasha stop and combinations that pass this stretch of the A104, with live prices and availability.
Lake Elementaita entry fees: sanctuary and Soysambu
Two operators have their own tariffs. Prices are per person, as of 2026, and can change.
| Visitor | KWS sanctuary, adult / child | Soysambu, adult / child |
|---|---|---|
| East African citizen | KES 500 / KES 250 | – |
| Kenya resident | KES 675 / KES 350 | KES 1,500 / KES 750 |
| Non-resident | $50 / $25 | $50 / $25 |
| Other African citizen | $20 / $10 | – |
At Soysambu the adult rate also applies to teenagers, and children means over 3 and under 12 years. Soysambu charges residents the same rate as citizens. You need proof of identity and a signed liability waiver there. For most visitors on a short stop, the practical rule is to ask first which area you will enter, then pay only that tariff.
Do not assume that a Soysambu ticket replaces the sanctuary ticket, or that you pay both everywhere. Which one applies depends on the ground and the activity. Fees for Lake Nakuru National Park are on the entry fee page.
How to plan a visit to Lake Elementaita
Four things to sort out before you go.
Pick your access point
The sanctuary and Soysambu are separate places with separate tariffs. Decide which one your tour, lodge or driver uses before you pay.
Bring ID
Soysambu asks for proof of identity and a signed waiver. Have your passport or national ID ready.
Guide and car fees
At Soysambu a day guide is KES 1,200 for up to 3 hours and a night guide KES 2,000 for up to 3 hours. A car with fewer than 6 seats pays KES 500, and a car with 6 to 12 seats KES 1,200. These amounts include VAT, apply in 2026 and can change.
Leave time for the road
The stop sits between Naivasha and Nakuru, so it is easy to rush. Do not squeeze it between tight bookings, and ask for the current opening times of your chosen entry before you set off.
Nearby places
Other stops in the Nakuru area, each with its own guide.
Lake Bogoria
Hot springs, flamingos and changing water levels north of Nakuru.
The Great Rift Valley
How the valley formed and where to see it from the road.
Menengai Crater
Forest, viewpoints and walking trails above Nakuru.
Lake Nakuru safari
Game drive rules, gate hours and a typical day in the park.
Lake Elementaita: frequently asked questions
Where is Lake Elementaita?
It is in the Rift Valley, about 120 km north of Nairobi, 40 km north of Naivasha and 45 km south of Nakuru. Access is from the A104.
How much does it cost to visit?
The KWS sanctuary charges non-residents $50 per adult and $25 per child in 2026. East African citizens pay KES 500 and KES 250, residents KES 675 and KES 350. Soysambu has its own rates, shown in the table above.
Can I see flamingos at Lake Elementaita?
There are good chances, but no guarantee. A joint survey in 2025 recorded both flamingo species here and at Lake Nakuru, and the birds move between lakes. Read the flamingo page before you plan around them.
Can I bathe in the hot springs?
The springs are a natural habitat for tilapia, not a bathing facility. Treat them as something to look at, and ask locally before you go near the water.
Does a Soysambu ticket cover the KWS sanctuary?
Do not assume so. The two have separate tariffs, and which one applies depends on where you enter and what you do. Ask your lodge or driver first.
Is lake-nakuru.org the official site of the sanctuary?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not connected to the Kenya Wildlife Service, Nakuru County, Soysambu or any tour operator.