Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru National Park is among Kenya’s premier national parks, renowned for its stunning Rift Valley soda lake, Lake Nakuru. The park boasts three main entry gates, and once you step inside, you’ll be treated to a diverse array of wildlife species, with a particular highlight being the flamingoes that lend a pink hue to the lake’s waters.

Nakuru National Park is renowned for its magnificent flamingo colonies that grace the shores of Lake Nakuru, making it a premium game park in Kenya. It holds the distinction of being one of the country’s three premium game parks and ranks among the most visited in Kenya.

This park is a paradise for bird enthusiasts, boasting a rich avian population that includes over 400 bird species. Among them, the iconic flamingos inhabit both the lake and the park’s expansive savannah grasslands. The avian diversity here is impressive and includes African Fish Eagle, Slender-billed greenbul, Long-tailed widowbird, Rufous-throated wryneck, Montane white-eye, Red-capped lark, Northern puffback, Shining sunbird, and many more.

While Nakuru National Park is celebrated for its avian residents, it is also a sought-after destination for wildlife lovers and explorers. The park is a sanctuary for over 100 endangered rhinos, with populations of both black and white rhinos thriving here. Additionally, the park is home to the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe and more than 50 other animal species, including buffalos, waterbucks, lions, impalas, and numerous others.

Lake Nakuru National Park has earned its status as one of Kenya’s most frequented parks, drawing travelers year after year due to its exceptional birdlife and captivating features. Visitors to Lake Nakuru Park can engage in a wide range of activities, including bird watching, game viewing, camping, and picnicking at the stunning rocky viewpoints scattered throughout the park.

The journey of conservation for Lake Nakuru began in 1957 when it was initially declared a conservation area, primarily to safeguard the birdlife, including the vibrant flamingo population that graced Lake Nakuru. This move aimed to preserve the lake, combat pollution, and protect the thriving birdlife.

In 1961, the already designated conservation area, which constitutes the present southern section of Nakuru National Park, was officially declared a bird sanctuary. Stringent protocols were introduced to ensure the protection of birds in this area.

By 1968, Lake Nakuru National Park had been gazetted as one of Kenya’s national parks. The park’s boundaries expanded to encompass the northern savannah lands, resulting in a total area of 188 square kilometers. Additionally, several mammal species were introduced to diversify the park’s ecosystem, transforming it from solely a bird sanctuary into an animal park.

A significant milestone occurred in 1977 when Lake Nakuru National Park became the home of the exceedingly rare and endangered Rothschild giraffes. These giraffes were relocated from western Kenya as part of the Kenyan government’s conservation and protection efforts, bolstering wildlife preservation in the country.

The 1980s witnessed the introduction of rhinos to Lake Nakuru Kenya Park as part of an initiative to conserve these endangered creatures, which were experiencing a sharp decline in numbers. This marked a groundbreaking endeavor in Kenya’s conservation history, and in 1984, Lake Nakuru Park was officially designated as the first government-protected rhino sanctuary in Kenya.

To bolster rhino protection measures against poachers, the Kenyan government erected an electric fence spanning 188 square kilometers around Nakuru National Park in 1986. This fence served the dual purpose of safeguarding the park from poaching activities and confining the rhino population within the park’s boundaries. Subsequently, in 1987, Lake Nakuru Park was officially declared a rhino sanctuary.

Lake Nakuru National Park’s significance extends beyond its borders, as it has earned recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, since 2009, as an Important Bird Area (IBA) due to its diverse avian population, which comprises over 400 bird species. Furthermore, in 1990, Lake Nakuru was designated as a RAMSAR site.

The history of Lake Nakuru Park is a testament to its evolution, growth, and remarkable development over the years. Today, it stands as an ideal destination for safaris, offering visitors the opportunity to not only witness the park’s remarkable progress but also to experience the richness of its birdlife, wildlife, and the extraordinary beauty of this unique park in central Kenya’s Nakuru town.

Activities in Lake Nakuru National Park

Tourists visiting Lake Nakuru National Park can engage in a variety of exciting activities to enhance their safari experience, including:

1. Game Drives: Game drives offer a thrilling way to explore Lake Nakuru National Park and provide opportunities for up-close wildlife encounters. Visitors can spot a diverse range of animals, including white rhinos, leopards, lions, giraffes, hippos, impalas, waterbucks, and many others. These game drives can be scheduled at different times of the day, each offering unique safari experiences.
2. Bird Watching: Lake Nakuru National Park is a haven for bird enthusiasts due to its abundant birdlife. The park boasts various birding spots where tourists can observe a wide variety of bird species. From flamingos to African Fish Eagles, bird watchers will be delighted by the avian diversity found within the park.
3. Hiking: Hiking is a popular activity in Lake Nakuru National Park, especially as tourists visit the scenic viewpoints scattered throughout the park. These hikes offer opportunities to appreciate the park’s natural beauty, observe wildlife from elevated vantage points, and capture stunning panoramic views of the landscape.

These activities provide visitors with diverse and memorable experiences, allowing them to immerse themselves in the natural wonders of Lake Nakuru National Park.

Attractions in Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru National Park offers a range of activities and attractions for tourists, making it a diverse and captivating destination:

Activities:

1. Game Drives: Tourists can enjoy game drives that provide close encounters with a variety of wildlife species, including white rhinos, leopards, lions, giraffes, hippos, impalas, and waterbucks. Game drives are conducted at different times of the day, offering unique safari experiences.
2. Bird Watching: Lake Nakuru National Park is renowned for its birdlife, making it a paradise for bird enthusiasts. Visitors can explore various birding spots within the park, observing over 400 bird species, including flamingos, African Fish Eagles, goliath herons, kingfishers, eagles, pelicans, and more.
3. Hiking: Hiking opportunities abound in the park, especially as tourists visit viewpoints that offer breathtaking vistas of the park’s scenic beauty. These hikes allow visitors to appreciate the park’s natural landscapes and observe wildlife from elevated vantage points.

Attractions:

1. Lake Nakuru: The park is famous for Lake Nakuru, a shallow soda lake surrounded by alkaline shores. It is renowned for hosting large colonies of flamingos, attracting these birds as they feed on algae. The lake is also home to various other bird species, both native and migratory.
2. Wildlife: Despite its smaller size compared to other Kenyan national parks, Lake Nakuru National Park is home to diverse wildlife species. Visitors can spot waterbucks, white and black rhinos, Rothschild giraffes, leopards, lions, cheetahs, and more within the woodlands and savannah grasslands.
3. Sanctuary: Near Lake Nakuru, there is a fenced-off sanctuary that offers protection to wildlife species such as giraffes and rhinos. The sanctuary serves as a buffer against poaching and helps manage wildlife movements.
4. Waterfalls: The park features beautiful waterfalls, with Makalia Waterfalls in the southern part being a notable attraction. Tourists can hike to the waterfalls and enjoy picnics amidst the scenic surroundings.
5. Viewpoints: Various viewpoints within the park provide ideal vantage spots for observing wildlife and enjoying panoramic views of the park. Notable viewpoints include Baboon Cliff and Makalia Cliff.
6. Rivers: Several rivers, including the Njoro River, Makalia River, and Enderit River, supply water to Lake Nakuru, contributing to the park’s unique ecosystem.

These activities and attractions collectively offer tourists an enriching and memorable experience at Lake Nakuru National Park, making it a must-visit destination in Kenya.

How to get to there

Lake Nakuru National Park offers multiple access options and a variety of accommodation choices for tourists:

Access to the Park:

1. By Road: Visitors can access Lake Nakuru National Park by road, primarily by driving from Nairobi to the park’s entry gates. The main gate is conveniently located near Nakuru town. Another road access point is the Lanet Gate, accessible from the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.
2. By Air/Flight: For those preferring air travel, tourists can use Naishi Airstrip, situated in the southern part of the national park, for convenient access to Lake Nakuru National Park.

Accommodation:

Accommodations around Lake Nakuru National Park cater to various budgets and preferences, including luxury, midrange, and budget options, as well as camping facilities. Some notable accommodations and campsites include:

Luxury Accommodations:

• Sarova Lion Hill Lodge
• Lake Nakuru Lodge
• Lake Nakuru Flamingo Lodge

Midrange Accommodations:

• Merica Hotel
• Mbweha Camp
• Miali Saba Camp
• Mirius Guesthouse

Budget Accommodations:

• Hotel Waterbuck Nakuru

Campsites:

• Naishi Campsite
• Rhino Campsite
• Soysambu Campsite
• Kambi Nyuki Campsite
• Makalia Campsite

Visitors to Lake Nakuru National Park can choose from this array of accommodation options, which suit various preferences and provide a comfortable base for exploring the park’s attractions. The park’s diverse wildlife, especially the beautiful flamingos, makes it an excellent destination for safari enthusiasts.