Kenya Lake Nakuru National Park: Lake Nakuru Kenya park sites

With a pink sea of flamingos lapping at it shores, rich areas of grassland, euphorbia and acacia forests, and the rocky cliffs supporting a myriad of animal and bird species, there’s little doubt why Lake Nakuru national Park is rivaling Amboseli as Kenya’s second most visited park after the Maasai Mara.

Tree climbing African lion in Nakuru park kenya

Sightings of grazing or lazing white rhinos at the lakes southern end now seem to be a common place since the species was reintroduced several years ago. The shy black rhinos, browsers by nature are more difficult to spot. If you are very, very, very lucky, you will catch a glimpse of the rare tree-climbing lion.

Warthogs are common all over the park, providing a light relief from the ‘serious’ animals with their amusing gait and upright tails (known to local Kenyans as antennas). Along shore, you will come across waterbucks and buffaloes, while the Thompson’s gazelles and reedbucks can be seen further into the bush, where there’s also a good chance of seeing leopards.

Around the cliffs you may catch sight of hyraxes and the birds of prey amid the countless baboons. A small herd of hippos generally frequents the lake’s northern shore.

There’s no better view of the park than that seen from atop Baboon Cliff as the afternoon sun casts a warm glow over the lake.

The majestic flamingos of Nakuru
Since the 180-sq-km park creation in 1961, the population of lesser and greater flamingos has risen and fallen with the soda lake’s erratic water levels. When the lake dried up in 1962 (happy first birthday), the population plummeted, as it later did in the 1970s when heavy rainfall diluted the lake’s salinity and affected the lesser flamingos food source (blue-green algae).

Over much of the last decade healthy water levels have seen flamingo numbers blossom again. If future droughts or flooding make them fly the coop again, you’ll find them at Lake Bogoria.

Sadly, not all is picture perfect, as in recent years pressures on the lake have increased. Pollution from Nakuru town, pesticide run-off from surrounding farms, and a massive deforestation within the water catchments area have all cause concern. A World Wildlife Fund (WWF) project is making considerable progress in the countering these problems, and the local afforestation program continues to plant thousands of indigenous tree seedlings.

Information
The main park gate is about 2km south of the centre of Nakuru. KWS smartcards and official guidebooks (kshs750) are available at the main gates office, but not at the Lanet or Nderit gates.

Camping In Nakuru National Park

None of the options provide meals, so you will have to bring your own food. If camping, always make sure your tents are securely zipped or the vervet monkeys and baboons will make a right mess while leaving cleaning you right out. And remember to carry out all your garbage.

More information can be obtained from your Kenyan travel agent or Kenya tour operator for on the ground up to date Kenya vacation in Nakuru.

Robert is a tour expert in Kenya east Africa travel. He is a director of Landmark safaris, a Kenya vacation tour operator & outfitter. Get selecting here; http://www.landmarksafaris.com/planner