A guide to Lake Nakuru National Park: Located in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, some 156 kilometers (97 miles) northwest of Nairobi, Lake Nakuru National Park was created in 1961. Approximately 188 square kilometers make up this picturesque park, which is dominated by Lake Nakuru, a shallow, salty lake that is famous for its breathtaking pink tints, which are mostly created by the enormous flocks of lesser flamingos that gather along its shores. The park’s varied topography, which includes a variety of grasslands, acacia forests, and rocky cliffs, enhances its standing as an important biological zone by offering a multitude of habitats for different wildlife species. It is the perfect destination for experienced tourists and wildlife lovers because of its distinct climate and biodiversity, which are influenced by its elevation of roughly 1,754 meters.
Approximately 56 distinct mammal species, including four of the big five (lions, rhinos, leopards, and cape buffaloes), can be found at Kenya’s Lake Nakuru National Park, one of the country’s best places for wildlife. Black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, olive baboons, buffaloes, elands, waterbucks, hyenas, lions, cheetahs, leopards, white rhinos, and the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe are among the creatures found at Lake Nakuru National Park.
The park is home to 400 bird species, including Madagascar Pond-Heron, Lesser Flamingo, Pallid Harrier, Greater Spotted Eagle, Grey-crested Helmet-shrike, and large congregations of Greater Flamingo, Black-necked Grebe, Little Grebe, Great White Pelican, Yellow-billed Stork, African Spoonbill, Black-winged Stilt, Grey-headed Gull, and Gull-billed Tern. Lake Nakuru National Park is a popular destination for birdwatchers in Kenya, and it is well-known for its pink lesser and greater flamingos.
Which safari activities are the most enjoyable while visiting Lake Nakuru National Park?
Nature Walks
Nature hikes in Lake Nakuru National Park provide visitors with a special chance to get up close and personal with the natural world. Visitors can connect more closely with the local flora and fauna by following this guided tour across a variety of ecosystems. You will get the opportunity to see a range of wildlife during guided nature walk tours, including lions, buffalo, cheetahs, elephants, leopards, black and white rhinos, giraffes, waterbucks, and other bird species like pelicans, herons, Among these are the African Jacana, African Wattled Lapwing, African Spoonbill, African Egret, Osprey, Secretary-bird, Kingfishers, African Skimmer, Gray-hooded Gull, Common Buttonquail, Common Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, African Jacana, and African Spoonbill. Among other things, nature walk tours will introduce you to the local communities and teach you about their cultures and way of life.
Drives of game
Paul Wild
Going on exciting game drives is one of the most fascinating things to do in Lake Nakuru National Park. The park is well known for its wide variety of wildlife, which includes the iconic Maasai giraffe and a sizable population of black and white rhinos. On a Kenya game drive safari, guests may explore the park’s vast savannah and verdant wetlands, which are home to more than 500 different species of birds and a variety of animals, including lions, buffalo, cheetahs, and impalas.
In the park, game drives are held in certain areas, such as the early morning and late afternoon. These are the finest times of day for game drives because that is when the wildlife is most active. You will have the chance to take breathtaking pictures and see creatures in their natural habitat, including buffalos, lions, elephants, and waterbucks, during the guided game drives. Acacia forests define the park’s distinctive topography, and the lovely views of the Rift Valley enhance the whole experience.
Birdwatching and Wildlife at Lake Nakuru National Park
Ornithologists and amateur birdwatchers from all over the world flock to Lake Nakuru National Park, a birdwatcher’s paradise. One of the most important birding locations in the nation, the park is home to over 500 species and is well-known for the enormous flocks of flamingos that formerly adorned its coastlines. A range of vibrant birds, including the Green-backed Honeybird, Green Wood-hoopoe, Common Hoopoe, Hornbills, Owls, African Fish Eagles, Mountain Buzzard, Pelican, and Eagles, will be visible to you throughout your birdwatching safari. Osprey, African Paradise-flycatcher, Red-fronted Parrot, White-necked Raven, Grey-crested Helmet-shrike, Von Erlanger’s Batis, Secretary-bird, Red-throated Pipit, Yellow-throated Longclaw, Cape Wagtail, Northern Grey-headed Sparrow, Eastern Paradise Whydah, Crimson-rumped Waxbill, Red-billed Firefinch, Yellow-crowned Bishop, Hunter’s Cisticola, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Moustached Grass Warbler, Abyssinian Canary, Yellow-bellied Eremomela, African Pygmy Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Rufous-crowned Roller, White-throated Bee-eater, Olive Bee-eater, Red-and-yellow Barbet, White-headed Barbet, Brown-backed Woodpecker, Grey Woodpecker, and Yellow-headed Barbet, among others. For great tours, travelers who intend to participate in this thrilling activity are advised to bring binoculars, a camera, and a field bird guide book.
Tours for photographers
Photography excursions are a popular pastime since Lake Nakuru National Park provides an amazing canvas for photographers. From expansive vistas to close-ups of species, the park’s stunning scenery, verdant acacia woodland, and glittering lake offer a wide variety of topics. You will get the opportunity to photograph the flamingos’ brilliant colors, the magnificent wildlife in its natural habitat, and the Rift Valley’s breathtaking contrasts during your park photography tours. For guests who want to record the breathtaking beauty of the park and its surroundings, the park offers photographic tours in the morning and late afternoon.
When is Lake Nakuru National Park the best place to visit?
The dry season, which often lasts from July to October, is the ideal time of year to explore Lake Nakuru National Park. The weather is often pleasant during this time, with bright skies and little precipitation. As wildlife gathers near the lakeshore and water holes, these perfect conditions make it easy to identify them, providing excellent chances for birdwatching and game viewing.
At Lake Nakuru, the flamingo season peaks during the dry season as well. The sight of hundreds of thousands of these colorful birds flocking to the lake’s alkaline waters creates a captivating pink scene. These amazing creatures in large numbers provide genuinely breathtaking sights and noises, as well as amazing photo opportunities.
You can observe endangered white and black rhinos, lions, buffalo, leopards, giraffes, zebras, impala, cheetahs, warthogs, and waterbucks during the dry season, which is also a great time to watch the flamingos. It is also simpler to see these incredible animals during this time because to the minimal foliage.
What to say in Lake Nakuru National Park during a safari ?
To accommodate all visitors, Lake Nakuru National Park offers a range of lodging choices. The Midland Hotel-Nakuru, Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge, The Cliff Nakuru, Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge, Lake Nakuru Lodge, Ziwa Bush Lodge, The Senna House, Lake Nakuru Flamingo Resort & Spa, Punda Milias Nakuru Camp, Sarova Woodlands Hotel & Spa Nakuru, Flamingo Hill Tented Camp, and Top Cliff Lodge are just a few of the many options available, including luxury, budget, and mid-range lodging.
Lake Nakuru National Park Access
The trek to Lake Nakuru National Park, which is situated in Kenya’s Rift Valley, is rewarding and provides access to one of the most famous wildlife reserves in the nation. The most popular way to get there by car is to travel from Nairobi, which is around 156 kilometers north of the city. Depending on traffic, the trip usually takes two to three hours. Alternatively, travelers can use the B2 road, which leads straight to the park entrance, after arriving in Nakuru town. The local cores are about 10 kilometers apart from the park.
Domestic flights from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru can also be scheduled for individuals who want to save time. Flights usually land at the Naivasha airport, from which it is a quick drive to the park. There are a few smaller airports close to the park.
Make reservations with our reputable tour operators, like Focus East Africa Tours, which provide the greatest tour packages for your safari in Kenya, and contact them with any questions or concerns you may have regarding the guide to Lake Nakuru National Park.
