Does Nakuru have an airport?

Yes, Nakuru does have an airport—Nakuru Airport, also known as Lanet Airstrip, but it is not a major international airport like Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

About Nakuru (Lanet) Airport

Nakuru Airport is situated in the Lanet area, approximately 10 kilometers. It was initially a military airbase of the Kenya Air Force but it has been undergoing refurbishment to accommodate civilian and commercial aircraft, although regular commercial operations have not yet fully started. The Kenyan government has been developing the facility to improve regional connectivity, especially for tourism and business travel within the Rift Valley.

Nakuru Airport will handle domestic, charter, and light cargo flights. Once fully commissioned, the airport is expected to greatly improve access for tourists visiting nearby attractions such as Lake Nakuru National Park and Lake Elementaita.

Current Air Travel Options to Nakuru

Scheduled commercial flights are currently very limited or occasional, as the airport is still in the early stages of opening for civilian use. Majority of the travelers to Nakuru today access it through other airports or road means that are within the area.

Nearest Major Airports:

• Wilson Airport (Nairobi) – About 2.5 to 3 hours by road. Operates domestic, charters, and safari services.
• Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) – Nairobi
  It is Kenya’s main international gateway, and where majority of the international arrivals stop here before proceeding to Nakuru.

Most visitors travel from Nairobi by road and have the scenic view of the Rift Valley escarpment and can easily stop at the view points or other lakes.

Future Plans and Upgrades

The Nakuru Airport project is part of the government’s long-term plan to transform it into a regional aviation hub, with development still ongoing. It is planned to include extended runways and modern passenger facilities, aiming to support regular domestic and charter flights in the near future:

• Regular domestic flights (e.g., to Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu)
• Charter flights for safari and tourism
• Emergency and medical evacuation services

Such improvements are expected to boost tourism and commerce in Nakuru County.

Travel Tips for Visitors

• Check flight availability: Commercial flights are not regularly available every day and this means that schedules should be checked beforehand.
• Alternative transport: Nairobi to Nakuru have many options of transfer including private transfers, shuttles, and buses.
• Safari convenience: Charter flights may even be made to individual conservancies and parks.

Conclusion

Nakuru does have an airport which is Nakuru Airport (Lanet Airstrip) even though it is not a fully developed commercial hub yet. The majority of the travelers still come by road via Nairobi or any other adjacent airports.   Nevertheless, as the airport continues to be upgraded, Nakuru Airport is expected to play a key role in linking the Rift Valley to other parts of Kenya, which would ensure that traveling between the tourists and locals would be quick and easy.

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