Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya is without doubt one of the best destinations for bird watching in East Africa. This park is home to a scenic Lake Nakuru, East Africa’s renowned birder’s haven. For most holidaymakers on Kenya safaris, Lake Nakuru National Park is a must-visit for rewarding birding experiences.
Location, formation & size
Lake Nakuru Park is found in West-central Kenya and shelters the saline lake (Lake Nakuru) which is positioned in the Great Rift Valley of East Africa. Lake Nakuru Park is most popular for its abundant pink flamingos.
Lake Nakuru National Park is bordered by Nakuru town on the North and is in the Rift Valley area lying at an altitude of 1754 meters. Lake Nakuru features huge concentrations of algae which is the major attraction to most flamingos. Along the lake shores, thousands of pink flamingos can be spotted while they feed.
In 1957, Lake Nakuru was recognized as a conservation area for birds, especially flamingos. Lake Nakuru officially became a national park in 1968 and is lying in a land area of about 188 sq. km. It is also a recognized UNESCO Heritage Site and an Important Birding Area (IBA) with more than 400 species of birds.
Lake Nakuru National Park is known for its huge profusion of wildlife including the black eastern and white rhinos. These two rhino types were introduced to Lake Nakuru thus transforming it from a bird sanctuary to Wildlife Park. The rhinos were introduced to Lake Nakuru Park in the 1980s by the Kenyan government as part of its efforts to save these endangered species whose population had drastically dropped.
In 1984, Lake Nakuru became Kenya’s first government-protected rhino sanctuary. By 1986, an electric fence was introduced around Lake Nakuru National Park as a way to safeguard these creatures from poachers. In 1987, it was officially recognized as a rhino sanctuary.
Main Attractions in Lake Nakuru Park
Wildlife
The compact Lake Nakuru National Park holds a diversity of animals in Kenya. The park is comprised of savanna vegetation plus different habitats where more than 50 species of mammals survive. Lake Nakuru shelters a diversity of wildlife including the Rothschild giraffes, lions, buffaloes, leopards, black and white rhinos, waterbucks, cheetahs, and warthogs. The park also offers refuge to other wildlife including vervet monkeys, hippos, colobus monkeys, and olive baboons.
Birds
Lake Nakuru Park is a special birding destination with over 500 species of birds widely distributed in its different habitats. They consist of near-endemic species, migratory birds, and threatened species. The migratory birds are confined in the park from November to April. The numerous birds to identify on birding tours in Lake Nakuru National Park include the greater and lesser pink flamingos, Abyssinian ground thrush, Kenya rufous sparrow, Brown-backed-scrub robin, Black-tailed godwit, Arrow-marked babblers, and Eastern imperial eagle.
Lake Nakuru also shelters the great snipe, grey-headed woodpeckers, European rollers, Hildebrandt’s starling, grey-crested helmet-shrike, verreaux’s eagles, Ruppells vultures, slender-billed greenbul, Western reef heron, rufous-throated wryneck, pallid harrier, Schawlow’s wheatear, white-fronted bee-eater, lappet-faced vultures, lesser kestrel, shining sunbird and more.
Lake Nakuru
Lake Nakuru is one of the attractive sites within this park. This charming natural lake is home to huge concentrations of pink flamingos. It is a tiny soda lake that attracts 1000s of flamingos that come to feed on the algae along the alkaline edges.
The viewpoints
Lake Nakuru Park is most popular for its breathtaking topography thus providing Great Avenue for viewing a variety of wildlife and surrounding areas. The popular viewpoints in Lake Nakuru Park include the Lion Hill, Baboon Cliff, and Out of Africa viewpoints.
Scenic waterfalls
Lake Nakuru Park is most popular not only for its unique wildlife but also spectacular waterfalls. The notable of the park’s waterfalls is the Makalia waterfalls, a hidden gem known for its soothing effect. At Makalia Falls, visitors enjoy the breathtaking scenery and best game views.
Tourism Activities to do
Game viewing
Lake Nakuru National Park is a special game-viewing destination in Kenya. Embarking on a game drive in Lake Nakuru with Allan Blackia Safaris guarantees you great encounters with wildlife including zebras, leopards, rhinos, buffaloes, lions, and a variety of antelope families. The beauty of it is that it is possible to go about game viewing all day round.
Birding
Over 500 bird species survive in Lake Nakuru Park and the majority of these include flamingos. On birding or bird-watching tours, there are also chances of spotting other birds including the African fish eagles, Egyptian geese, white-necked bees, greater pelicans, and others.
The Baboon Cliff tours
A visit to the Baboon Cliff is a must-do on Kenya safaris in Lake Nakuru National Park. It is a wander spot in this park and the perfect place to enjoy picnics. Extreme care should be taken, especially when eating in the presence of baboons. The best time to be at the baboon cliff is during the morning hours.
Camping tours
Camping is one of the unusual experiences not to be missed on a Kenya tour holiday in Lake Nakuru Park. A camping tour is a great way to connect to nature. You enjoy great views of animals, and birds from the comfort of your tent and a lot more. Lake Nakuru has about 7 active camping sites in the Northern and Southern parts.
When to visit
Lake Nakuru Game Park is a year-round destination. But it is ideal for nature enthusiasts to explore from November to April, especially for birders. This is the best period to witness the migratory birds. Game viewing is best enjoyed during the dry months from June to September.
Accommodation options
Lake Nakuru Game Park features a variety of accommodation options including budget, midrange, and luxury. The available options of accommodation to stay on a Kenya safari holiday include Mbweha Camp, Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge, Flamingo Hill Tented Camp, Lake Nakuru Lodge, The Stem Hotel, Sleepway Cottages, Ziwa Bush Lodge, Mirius Guesthouse, Punda Milias Nakuru Camp, and Makalia campsite.
How to get to Lake Nakuru Game Park from Nairobi
Lake Nakuru Park is 156 km away from Nairobi city. The main gate of Lake Nakuru Game Park is 4 km away from Nakuru town. Other gates including the Lanet gate are accessible via the main road linking between Nairobi and Nakuru. The Nderit gate is the main entry point for guests traveling from the Maasai Mara/Elementaita to Lake Nakuru Game Park. By air; you can take a scheduled flight and within half an hour, you can be at the Naishi Airstrip.