Lake Nakuru National Park

(Lake Nakuru National Park is situated approximately 164 kilometers from Nairobi, a two hour's drive from Nairobi City. Lake Nakuru National Park is 2 kilometers North of Nakuru town)

Lake Nakuru National Park

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Lake Nakuru National Park lies in Central Kenya, 160 Kilometers north-west of Nairobi, in Nakuru district of the Rift Valley Province. Lake Nakuru National Park provides the visitor with one of Kenya’s best known images.

Thousands of flamingo, joined into a massive flock, fringe the shores of this soda lake. A pulsing pink swathe of life that carpets the water, the flamingo is a breathtaking sight.

Lake Nakuru National Park has become world famous for these birds, who visit the lake to feed on algae that forms on the lake bed. They move back and forth, feeding and occasionally and spectacularly taking to flight, filling the sky over the lake with color.

The lake is extremely variable in size- changing from 5 up to 30 sq km's in area. Nakuru has more than just flamingos. Lake Nakuru National Park is Kenya’s first rhino sanctuary and an important Sanctuary for Rhino. Both Black and White Rhino are found here, and are often seen resting under acacias by the Lake shore.

Lake Nakuru National Park abounds with game. There are huge herds of waterbuck, zebra, buffalo, the endangered Rothschild Giraffe and more. This is one of your best chances of seeing Leopard in Kenya, and there are several large prides of Lion.

Exploring beyond the lake is always rewarding and there are forests, cliffs, waterfalls and more to be found here. Nearby Nakuru town is a busy and thriving local centre with a bustling market. The town is a hub for local transport and travel.

Lake Nakuru National Park Animals & Birds

Lake Nakuru National Park is best known for its thousands, sometimes millions of flamingos nesting along the shores. Other animals include Rothschild giraffes, black rhinos and white rhinos. The park has more than 25 black rhinoceros, one of the largest concentrations in the country, plus around 70 white rhinos.

Waterbuck are very common. Among the predators are lion and leopard, the latter being seen much more frequently in recent times. The park also has large sized pythons that inhabit the dense woodlands, and can often be seen crossing the roads or dangling from trees.

The bush lands offer eland, steenbok, impala, Chandler's reedbuck and dikdik, whilst rock hyrax and klipspringer occupy the cliffs and escarpment.

The introduction of a species of salt-tolerant Tilapiagrahami (for mosquito control) opened the way for the colonization of the lake by many species of fish eating birds (Cormorants, pelicans, hamrnerkop, etc). Lake Nakuru National Park has a large reserve of over 450 species of birds, which make it an ideal site of bird lovers.

Bird species that have been recorded in and around Lake Nakuru, including Endangered Madagascar Pond-heron Ardeola idea, Near Threatened Grey-crested Helmet-shrike Prionops poliolophus and Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus.

Lake Nakuru National Park is also known for regionally important numbers of congregatory water birds such as Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus, African Spoonbill Platalea alba, Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus and Grey-headed Gull Larus cirrocephalus.

Lake Nakuru Facts
Birds : Flamingoes, pelicans & over 450 other bird species
Animals : Flamingoes, Pelicans, Hippo, Rhino, Reedbuck, Giraffe

Location : In the Rift Valley Province, South of Lake Nakuru Town

Facilities : Lake Nakuru Lodge, Sarova Lion Hill Lodge and a few camp sites

Area : 107 square Kilometers Altitude: 1000 to 1600 meters [3280 to 5260 feet]

Vegetation : Open savannah and light patches of bush, cactus like euphorbia trees

Access from Nairobi by Road distance is approximately 155 Kilometers (2 to 3 Hours)

Attractions : Lake Nakuru National Park is world famous for its countless number of flamingo

Bird watching

Enjoy the fabulous water birds and other bird species. The best place to view the birds is from Baboon Cliff, where you get an excellent view over the lake and the wonderful spectacle of pink flamingoes along its edge.

However, the number of birds in the park fluctuates as food conditions change so check the bird population with Lake Nakuru National Park before making the journey.

Game viewing

* Hills: Enasoit , Lion Hill, Honeymoon e.t.c

* Visit the beautiful waterfall at Makalia

* Viewpoints include: Lion Hill, Baboon Cliff and Out of Africa

* Drive through the unique vegetation and the biggest Euphorbia Forest in Africa.

* See the endangered white rhinos and other animals including waterbucks, warthogs, hippos, impalas, buffalo, Rothschild giraffes and more.

Lake Nakuru National Park Access

* By Air: Via the 12 kilometers long ‘Naishi’ airstrip located in the southern part of the Park

* By Road: Distance: 156 km Northwest of Nairobi. The main gate is 4 Kilometers from Nakuru Town Centre.

Booking & Reservations for Lake Nakuru National Park Accommodation, Tours & Safaris - Kenya

Booking Office Tel: + 254 (0)20 2437871

Email: [email protected]