Lake Nakuru is one of the two premium parks and a bird lover’s paradise, and it was originally protected as a bird sanctuary hosting over 400 bird species, inclusive of 5 globally threatened species. It was also the first national rhino sanctuary with one of the world’s highest concentrations of the black rhinoceros.
Lake Nakuru national park was established in 1961 around lake Nakuru which is one of the famous soda lakes in the rift valley near Nakuru town, well known for thousands and millions of flamingos nesting along the shores, making the shallow surface lake hardly recognized. The park stretches for 12.1 km on the south eastern boundary with Soysambu conservancy giving a possible future expansion of rhino habitat, the only remaining wildlife to lake Naivasha.
Lake Nakuru national park started as a bird viewing and spot shooting area of migratory birds in 1950s. The national is also surrounded by ecosystem comprising of the lake, with wooded and bushy grasslands. The park also protects a wide ecological diversity including flamingos with other water birds, black and white rhinoceros the major attractions of the area. The has many hills with view points from the lake, woodlands and often herds of buffalos can be seen.
Lake Nakuru covers about 40km2 and the entire park covers 188km2 depending on the season. The lake is surrounded by grassland of highly adaptable alkaline grasses due to being highly saline.
Lake Nakuru national park is a home to more than 50 mammal species and 500 species of flora with famous flocks of greater and lesser flamingos gathering around the lake and they stay within the rift valley, migrating from one lake to another. Due to park’s fencing to protect endangered rhinos and giraffes, you will not find African elephants since they are not supported here. In the park you are guaranteed to see; white rhinos, African buffalos, zebras, impalas, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, waterbucks, fish eagles among others.
WHY would you VISIT LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK?
Despite that lake Nakuru national park is a smaller area compared to other parks in Africa, it has got a scenic park with wonderful landscape making it a home of a variety of wildlife species. The park surface takes a third of the park covered by yellow acacia woodlands and unique euphorbia forests which is the largest in Africa.
The national park is surrounded with a variety of tourist attractions for example; 2 million greater and lesser pink flamingos due to the algae diet found in the lake, with amazing bird viewing experience. This national park will mostly be enjoyed by great birders and photographers.
- Flamingos
Lake Nakuru national park is covered with a large population of millions of greater and lesser pink flamingos that colorfully grace the deep alkaline water lake which is the most popular attraction in lake Nakuru park. People travel to to the park yearly to experience the pink creatures that have almost turned the lake Nakuru pink. Watching these birds feed, having their flock flying sprees, play in water and interact with other birds, the surrounding are some of the moments bird lovers look forward when they visit Lake Nakuru National Park.
- Lake Nakuru
Lake Nakuru is an impressive attraction commonly pulling tourists in the national park, covering a surface area of 45km2 on a reasonable area of the park. It is an habitat to various animals and a best place for bird viewing due to the huge number of birds with flamingos which flood the shores of the lake. Tourists come to see the pink lake Nakuru by the flamingos making it the top tourist destinations in Africa. The Park is a home to one of the greatest concentrations of Black Rhino in the World and also has a population of White Rhino. It is also a home for the rare Rothschild Giraffe and one of the best places in Kenya to see Leopards.
- Bird Watching
Lake Nakuru national park is recorded among the best birding areas in Kenya due to its great habitant for birds, over 500 bird species which scatter around the park. The park is covered with a variety of birds for example; endemic, threatened species, migratory species migrating to the park in November to April period, making birds the main attractions and the great highlight of the park especially the pink colored flamingos which crowed the lake. Lake Nakuru national park hosts various kinds of birds like endemic species, critically endangered, endangered species and threatened species. Some of the endangered species include; Gray Crowned-Crane, White-backed Vulture and Rieppel’s Griffon. Vulnerable species include; Abyssinian Thrush, White-headed Vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture, Greater Spotted Eagle and Imperial Eagle. Near threatened species include Maccoa Duck, Lesser Flamingo, Black-tailed Godwit, Great Snipe, Bateleur, Crowned Eagle, Pallid Harrier, European Roller, Sooty Falcon and Gray-crested Helmetshrike.
- Mammals
Lake Nakuru national park is a home to a variety of mammals including the big five of Kenya except elephants. It is a habitant of over 56 species of mammals and also a few areas in Kenya that host endangered rhino and with a largest concentration. The national park also keeps vervet monkey, olive baboon and black and white colobus monkeys. Some of the mammals include; hippos, hyenas, lions, predators, giraffe, waterbuck, cheetah and a lot more.
The most common water mammals on lake Nakuru include; hippos and waterbucks. The land mammals at the park include but not limited to lions, rhinos, buffalo, leopards, giraffes, monkeys, warthogs, cheetahs, hyenas, wildebeest, black-and-white colobus monkey, vervet monkeys and olive baboons among others.
- Physical features
The national park comprises of many attractive physical features namely; Makalia falls which are a magnificent feature in the park found on the southern end of lake Nakuru national park. The falls are beautiful sights on Makalia River with 10 meters drop off sheer cliff and forms a plunge pool. The park is also made up of rugged terrain consisting of hills which include Enasoit, honey moon, lion hill and these hills are the best spots to enjoy views of the park and other attractions like wildlife.
WHAT TO DO IN LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
Lake Nakuru national park has a lot of different activities and they are extended from driving inside the park comfortably in our vehicle enjoying wonderful views of the park. Tourists get a moment of experience and relaxation during your safari.
Bird viewing
This is the main activity in the park due to the numerous bird species that are over 450 and the famous flamingo birds which is an interesting for birders. There are many bird species namely, flamingos, grater flamingos, Egyptian geese, white necked bee, Africa fish eagle and grater pelican birds that you will not miss in the national park and these species are found within the savannah grasslands and the woodlands with the shores of lake Nakuru. They can also be seen in common view points within the park however the major spot for birds is at lake Nakuru.
Birding in Lake Nakuru National Park is known as one of the top destinations for bird lovers, with more than 400 bird species on the park’s soda lake, and you will not disappoint when you visit the park for bird watching making it your top destination.
Wildlife viewing
The park is a stronghold for the rare Rothschild’s giraffe which was introduced to the park in the 1980s and has become common. Besides the widespread vervet monkey and olive baboon, the beautiful black-and-white colobus monkey can be found in the acacia forest and if you’re lucky enough, you will spot tree-climbing lions Lake Nakuru park
The national park also consists of animals that you should not miss out while on the safari and it spots more than 50 species that are protected in the sanctuary inside lake Nakuru national park, with Rothschild giraffe. It also has rare species like the white and black rhinos which gives you an opportunity for rare species in the park, and also spot fenced animals in the park since they cannot move long distances.
Hiking Makalia falls
The national park helps tourists to enjoy the small falls of the Makalia falls giving you the required physical exercises and hiking experience. Makalia falls are the hidden treasures of lake Nakuru park to explore when you choose to visit the park and they are suited on the river Makalia in the northern part of the park. If you reach the cliff, you will enjoy scenic views of the place and the cool breezes from the waters from the cliff. Picnics can also be done on the waterfalls in order to enjoy the adventure experience.
Lake Nakuru tour
Lake Nakuru is the main tourist attraction and touring it is the main activity found in the national park. The lake is a home or spot where many birds are sitting and tourists take time to experience and appreciate them due to the beauty created on the lake for example by the pink flamingos which are the main attraction on the lake. The lake also attracts animals that walk around the waters and the nature in the national park. Lake Nakuru hosts two types of flamingos for example; the lesser which can be distinguished by its deep red carmine bill and pink which has a bill with a black tip.
Photography activity
Nakuru national park provides best spots for photography to tourists producing perfect pictures for personal and commercial consumption. It also has view points for scenic sites for photography to capture moments in lake Nakuru national park.
Camping activities
Lake Nakuru national park provides the best camping locations due to the bushy vegetations that gives you experience in your tent under the sky. The weather in the park is average not so cold and not so hot, giving an amazing experience in the fresh breeze of the lake while experiencing animals that come close. The national park is surrounded with different campsites as explained below;
Enjoro campsite
This campsite is found meters away from the Lake Nakuru National Park Main Gate and it is the most used campsite in the park which provides wonderful views of the park and its surrounding areas. The campsite is easily accessible and many people do visit this campsite and it is favourable for those who are interested in camping as a group.
Bweha Camp
This is one of the most popular campsites for adventureous tourists, hidden in the trees on the southern border of the park and visitors are free to enjoy game drives. Visitors will watch almost all the bird’s species that do stay on Lake Nakuru in particular the flamingo bird.
Nakuru Tented Camping
This is one of the very calm campsites within Lake Nakuru National Park and it is because the campsite is located within the middle and in the canter of the park thus making it less crowded and less noisy.
Flamingo Hill Tented Camp
The camp is found on the shores of Lake Nakuru within the Park, luxury that is always in high demand by the visitors providing the best opportunities for the visitors to fully enjoy the viewpoints of birds on the lake shores and flamingos that come close which presents the best opportunity for you to take some photos.
Lakira Camp
This is also one of the luxury campsites that provide wonderful views of the lake and the flamingo birds on the surrounding lake as well as the flamingos coming close.
Makalia Falls Campsites
This is a beautiful camp sites that is found in Lake Nakuru National Park offering unmatchable views of the waterfalls that are found within the park on river Makalia. You will enjoy the sound breezes of the water and the sound that is made by the water making the waterfalls. You will also enjoy the game viewing safaris like buffaloes and the visitors can get the experience if the rhino-like the visitors that do stay at the Rhino campsite.
Rhino campsite
This is one of the wonderful campsites found within Lake Nakuru National Park offering the best sport for seeing the endeared rhinos that are kept within the sanctuary in the park together with the giraffes. This campsite is competitive because of its clear views of the rhinos within the park. This is the basic and the original campsite that you don’t need to miss while exploring Lake Nakuru National Park.
WHERE TO STAY IN LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
The national park surrounded with different accommodation ranging from luxury, mid rang and budget to enable travelers to enjoy their safari depending on their budget. Tourists may choose to book camping with in the park to have more experience and closure to the environment in the park and below are some of them in their respective range.
Lake Nakuru Sopa lodge.
Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge is a luxury lodge that is suited in the hills in the rift valley, with facilities that include 60 rooms and some of them are wheelchair accessible which favours the disabled guests. Other facilities include a bar and lounge, a restaurant, a swimming pool, a board room as well as Wi-Fi, with a number of activities which include game drives, bush dinners, bird watching, nature walks as well as board games.
Lake Nakuru lodge
The lodge is located within the national park, providing the views of Lake Nakuru and the wildlife in the national park. The lodge’s facilities include a spa, swimming pool, free Wi-Fi, a conference room, a gift shop, a restaurant, a bar and the lodge includes; double rooms, twin rooms, triple rooms and family rooms, facilities shower, bath, a safe deposit box, air conditioning, a hair dryer, a hot tub, a balcony, a seating area, a private bathroom, flat screen Tv, a dining area, an electric kettle as well as beautiful views of the lake, garden and the mountain. The activities at this lodge include horse riding, bird watching, bush barbeques and breakfast, sundowners, game drives, swimming among others.
Flamingo hill tented camp
The camp is found within Lake Nakuru national park in the great rift valley, consisting of 25 tents which are well equipped with writing desks, four-poster beds, a private veranda among others as well as a captivating décor of natural woods, wrought iron to ensure the comfort of the guest. Honeymooners can also enjoy their stay at Flamingo hill tented camp.
Mbweha camp
Mbweha camp is located in Soysambu conservancy, close to the southern part of Lake Nakuru national park. The camp is strategically located a few hours drive from Nairobi providing beautiful views of Lake Nakuru and the park itself, with some volcanoes in the great rift valley such as the Ol Doinyo Eburu and Mau ranges. Some of the activities offered include walking safaris, mountain biking as well as night game drives.
Lake Nakuru flamingo lodge
The lodge is located in Nakuru county, with facilities such as; conference rooms, a restaurant, a business centre among others, with room types triple rooms, single rooms, and double rooms.
Sarova lion hill camp
It is located on the lion hill which is a viewing point in Lake Nakuru national park, where guests enjoy beautiful views of the flamingo in lake Nakuru. The camp has over 67 rooms which are divided into standard rooms and suites, a restaurant to cater for all the dietary needs of their guests. The camp is equipped with facilities which include the rift valley bar where guests can enjoy watching traditional dance performances.
HOW CAN YOU REACH THE PARK?
By road
Lake Nakuru National Park is 166km away from Nairobi capital city as you drive to the North West of the city and a 3 to 4 hours. Nairobi- Nakuru Highway is the most prominent road or highway that is used by visitors to accesss Lake Nakuru National Park, using the major 3 gates of the park, accessed from various regions of Kenya that connect to the park. The highway gives you an insight into the beautiful vegetation, communities and the local people. From Nakuru town, it is only four Kilometres to Lake Nakuru National Park main Gate, implying that by passing through Lake Nakuru, you will be able to access Lake Nakuru National Park through the prominent Main gate.
Further visitors can break away from Nairobi-Nakuru highway to access the Lake Nakuru National Park through the Lanet gate and thus visitors accessing Lake Nakuru National Park through this gate will have to gorge passing through Nakuru Town, and from the pint of branch off to Lake Nakuru National Park is just a few kilometres.
By air
You can take the domestic flight from the major airstrip Naishi airport through Jomo Kenyatta international airport. Naishi airstrip is found within the park and you will not need to pass through any gate to get to Lake Nakuru National Park but you will just continue with your safari activities within the park.
WHAT ARE THE BEST TIMES TO VISIT THE PARK?
In the long dry seasons, there are limited numbers of fresh water sources around which the animals congregate, and fewer mosquitoes which helps you enjoy a more comfortable trip to Kenya. Unusually the Nakuru region receives some extra rain during the cool-dry season of July to October and when Europe starts cooling in October, migratory birds begin to arrive and remain in the area until April, making the months suitable for your safari.