Lake Nakuru National Park is located in the central part of Kenya on the floor of the Great Rift Valley. The park is characterized by not only woodlands, and grasslands, but also waterbodies that act as habitats for the different wildlife species. Besides, the landscape consists of steep rocky escarpments, dense forests, and hills which act as viewing points during game-watching experiences.
The Park is known for its vast flamingo population which covers the lake in a blanket of pink plumes. However, there are wildlife species that call this park home and these include black and white rhinos, lions, Cape buffalos, gazelles, African wild dogs, zebras, elands, waterbucks, leopards, giraffes, cheetahs, and hippos.
Not only four ( 4) of the big five namely Lions, Buffalos, Rhinos, and Leopards can be found in this park. Other species like giraffes, hippos, warthogs, elands, impala, vervet monkeys, baboons, and many more live here as well. This makes this park a great place for animal viewing and game drives.
Millions of flamingos feed mainly on the blue-green algae that makes them pink. They are divided into two species, the first is the lesser which are shorter and lighter in color and the second is the greater which are taller and darker in color. Lake Nakuru is surrounded by bushy woodland vegetation where the flamingos can easily make their nests.
Bird species
The park hosts over 500 bird species undoubtedly making it a great birding destination. It is well known for flamingos however, other bird species can be spotted like pelicans, ostriches, Abyssinian thrush, arrow-marked babbler, great blue eared starlings, Sooty falcon, Arrow-marked babbler, Bateleur, the long-tailed widowbird, Verreaux and the long-crested eagle among others.
Most importantly this is one of the soda lakes in the Rift Valley. Lake Nakuru is 1754 meters above sea level and lies south of Nakuru County. Like the park, Lake Nakuru is 3 to 4 hours northwest of Nairobi City.
Without a doubt, this is a great viewing point where travelers go to have aerial views of the Park. It got its name from the baboons that are usually at the cliff. They can be seen as they sunbathe, play, and look over the Rift Valley.
This waterfall is found in the Southern part of Lake Nakuru National Park along with other features. It is a great area for hiking and has a good spot for having great scenic views. Travelers can see birds and wildlife species as they come for water to quench their thirst.
The Park has yet more than 50 species of mammals which can be seen during game drives. Travelers are able to see different wildlife species up close while relaxing in a 4WD safari vehicle. The game drives are usually conducted in the morning and afternoon with the guidance of a trained guide who is conversant with the park. Visitors can animals like black and white rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, leopards, wildebeests, baboons, impalas, hippos, and buffalos, though lions are difficult to see.
Lake Nakuru National Park is among the top birding destinations in the world not to mention being home to over 400 bird species. It is famous for the flamingos which are the biggest attraction in this park in addition to other migratory birds. The different birds can be found within the savannah grasslands, woodlands, and on the shores of the Lake. The bird species like Egyptian geese, lesser kestrel, African fish eagles, pelicans, pallid harrier, Abyssinia thrush, and white-necked bee among others live in this park. Importantly, birding is best done during the rainy season with guidance from an experienced guide. The period guarantees the high success of seeing many birds.
Travelers who go to this park get to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Lake Nakuru. The lake has blue waters and most of its part is covered by algae that flamingos feed on. There is plenty of beautiful flora surrounding this park, during mornings the lake is covered with mist.
Lake Nakuru National Park offers travelers the opportunity to explore the park on foot where they get to hike Makalia Falls. Tourists are required to have some level of fitness before engaging in hiking. Once travelers get to participate, they are rewarded with beautiful views of escarpments, wildlife species, and falls. Nature walks are done with guidance and in the company of a trained and experienced park ranger who leads travelers through the different vegetation zones.
Lake Nakuru National Park provides the best camping sites and the bushy vegetation gives travelers great experience as they place their tent under the sky. The weather around this area is great for camping. In fact tourists get to enjoy the fresh lake breeze as well see animals that usually come close to the tent.
Lake Nakuru National Park offers travelers interested in filming and photography the best scenes to record and capture. Some documentaries about birding can be captured from this park since it has flamingos and other attractions.
There are numerous accommodation facilities ranging from Luxury to budget where travelers can stay during their visit.
Luxury facilities to stay in Lake Nakuru National Park include Flamingo hill tented Camp, Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge, Lake Nakuru Sopa, and Ziwa Bush Lodge among others. Other facilities like Merica Hotel, Mbweha camp, Miali Saba camp, Mirius guesthouse, Hotel Waterbuck Nakuru and campsites like Naishi campsite, Rhino campsite, Soysambu campsite, Kambi nyuki campsite, Makalia campsite among others.
Lake Nakuru National Park can be visited throughout the year however the best time to see birds is during the wet season and animal viewing is best done in dry seasons. Travelers can visit at different times of the year depending on which activity they would like to enjoy most. The park is most visited from June to October and from December to February, during these months there is little rain.
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