Lake Nakuru national park is one of the best national parks in Kenya and a Kenya safari without Lake Nakuru national is considered incomplete. The park is known for hosting millions of flamingos on the shores of Lake Nakuru, these amazing birds shade the lake with pink and this has made the entire experience in the park to be totally different. Lake Nakuru was gazetted in 1957 as a conservation area and this was aimed at preserving the Lake and the surrounding areas and the birdlife and this time the flamingos. In 1968, the park was declared a national park and this happened when the surrounding areas were also gazetted, making the park an expansive area for wildlife to flourish. The park attained its name from Lake Nakuru which is the largest water source in the park and it also known as a rift valley soda lake. In 1977 the park received endangered Rothschild giraffes from western Kenya and this was to boost the park activities and also to protect the giraffes from extinction and in 1980s the government of Kenya introduced rhinos in Lake Nakuru national park and this was done to preserve and increase the number of rhinos which were drastically declining and in 1984, the park was declared as the government protected rhino sanctuary.
Lake Nakuru national park is located in the central Kenya in the western side of Nairobi the capital city of Kenya. The park lies on the foothills of the Great East African rift valley. The park is composed of open savanna, woodlands and rocky out crops which provide habitat for wildlife. The park is not only limited to giraffes, rhinos and flamingos, but it is a home to other wildlife for example tree climbing lions, leopards, cape buffaloes, rhinos and these are Africa’s Big 4. Other wildlife in the park include; hyenas, serval cats, impalas, waterbucks, Burchell’s zebras, warthogs. The park is a home to over 400 recorded bird species and this makes the park one of the top birding destinations in Kenya and in 2009 it was recognized as IBA and in 1990 it was as well declared a RAMSAR site. The birds that roam in Lake Nakuru national park include; great and lesser flamingos, pelicans, kingfishers, African fish eagles, crab plovers, black-winged lapwing, goliath heron, Hottentot teals, hammerkops, grey crowned cranes to mention but few.
What are Attractions in Lake Nakuru National Park?
Lake Nakuru
The park attained its name from the great Lake Nakuru. This is the main attraction in the park, because most of the attractions fringe around the Lake. The shallow waters of this soda lake attract flamingos and other birds. The magnificent lake Nakuru is amazing especially seeing the birds surround the lake.
Wildlife in Lake Nauru National Park
Lake Nakuru national park is a home to a variety of wildlife for example white rhinos, black rhinos, lions, hyenas, leopards, Rothschild giraffes, cheetahs, antelopes among others.
Birdlife in Lake Nakuru National Park
The park is a home to over 400 bird species and this has made this park a top tourist attraction especially he birders. Some of the birds to encounter in the pare; goliath heron, pied kingfishers, hammerkops, starlings among other.
Waterfalls in Lake Nakuru National Park
The park is endowed with fascinating Makalia waterfalls which are located in the southern section of the park and these waterfalls are so fascinating and breathtaking. Tourists enjoy their picnics from here.
Scenic Viewpoints in Lake Nakuru National Park
The park has different scenic view points for example Baboon cliff and Makalia cliff. When you hike to their top, you get a clear picture of the park and you can see wildlife from a distance.
Rivers in Lake Nakuru National Park
The park has rivers and streams distributed throughout and these are sources of water to wildlife, birds and to the continued flourishing of vegetation. Some of the rivers in Lake Naukuru national park are; River Njoro, River Makalia and Enderit River.
How to Access Lake Nakuru National Park?
Lake Nakuru being close to Nairobi city, if you are using the road, you will drive for about 3hours and a half, and access the park via Lanet Gate. If you are using Air, you will land at Naishi airstrip which is in the southern part of the park.
Lake Nakuru national park is strategically located, it is close to Hell’s Gate national park and Naivasha national park, and also Soysambu Conservancy in the southeastern side of the park and this makes visiting Lake Nakuru national park worth. You can combine these parks under one itinerary or track mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park in Uganda or chimpanzee trekking experience in Kibale forest national park or cross to Rwanda national parks for example Akagera national park or Volcanoes national park.
