Kenya is one of Africa’s premier safari destinations, with almost all national parks boasting Africa’s Big Five, beautiful scenery, indigenous people with unique cultures, abundant birdlife, and the great wildebeest migration—one of the world’s most remarkable natural occurrences.
Nakuru Town
Nakuru town is the largest urban area in Kenya after Nairobi and Mombasa. It’s located in the Rift Valley province. It was established as part of the “White Highlands” by the British colonial government.
Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru National Park is situated on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, covering an area of 188 square kilometers, 27 percent of which is comprised of Lake Nakuru. The lake was designated a Ramsar site, although it is threatened by human activities.
The national park derives its name from Lake Nakuru, which covers a large portion of the park. “Nakuru” translates to mean “dust” or “dusty” in the local Maasai language. The nearby town is also named Nakuru.
The park stands at an elevation of 1,754 meters above sea level. Its shores are lined by thousands or even millions of flamingos due to the abundance of algae, although in the 1990s, the lake’s water levels decreased, causing flamingos to migrate to Lake Bogoria. However, since 2013, flamingos have returned as the lake’s conditions improved.
The surface of Lake Nakuru is often unrecognizable due to the shifting mass of pink flamingos. The park is an excellent option for visitors with limited time, as it is close to the city and can be toured in a day or visited en route to Masai Mara National Park.
Lake Nakuru National Park hosts around 56 mammal species, 400 bird species, and 550 plant species. The scenery is stunning, with the Rift Valley escarpment, euphorbia trees, yellow fever trees, and morning mist blanketing the beautiful lake.
Entry Fee
- Kenyan Citizens: 860 shillings for adults and 215 shillings for children
- Foreign Residents: 1,030 shillings for adults and 515 shillings for children
- Foreign Non-Residents: USD 60 for adults and USD 35 for children
Please note that entry fees and fees for other activities may change over time, so it’s best to confirm them before traveling to the park.
History
Lake Nakuru National Park was initially used as a sport shooting area and bird-watching site for migratory birds in the 1950s. It was declared a conservation area in 1957. In 1961, two-thirds of the southern sector was designated as a bird sanctuary, which was later extended in 1964 to cover the entire lake and a strip of land around it.
The park was later expanded to 188 square kilometers to create a buffer zone and protect the lake from encroachment. In 1983, the park was declared a rhino sanctuary, and today it hosts about 38 white rhinos, 45 black rhinos, and Rothschild’s giraffes introduced in the 1980s. Temperatures at the park peak at around 28 degrees Celsius early in the year, but the park’s elevation helps keep it cool.
Lake Nakuru has faced pollution from agricultural, industrial, and human activities over the years. The lake dried up between 1951 and 1953, leading to efforts in 1953 to control soda ash. Research shows that flamingos in Lake Nakuru consume up to 250,000 kilograms of algae per hectare of surface area per year.
Although Lake Nakuru is highly alkaline, it supports diverse aquatic flora and fauna. Flamingos feed on algae, which forms from their droppings, plankton, and the warm, alkaline water.
Location
The park is located 186 kilometers northwest of Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya, in the central Rift conservation area of the southern Rift Valley. The main gate is located 4 kilometers from Nakuru town. The park is accessible by road or by air via the Naishi airstrip.
Best Time to Visit
Lake Nakuru National Park is open year-round, but the best time to visit is during the dry season from June to February when animals are more visible. During the wet season from March to April, wildlife can be harder to spot.
Accommodation
There are various accommodation options in and around Lake Nakuru National Park, from luxury hotels to mid-range and budget lodges, depending on the tourist’s budget. Nearby accommodations include Lakira Camp, Sarova Lion Hill Lodge, Naishi Guest House, Mbweha Safari Camp, JBB Hotel, Sajim Hotel, Osun Capital Hotel, Allan Q Guest House, Lake Nakuru Lodge, and Eagle View, among others.
Animals
Lake Nakuru National Park hosts 56 mammal species and other wildlife, including warthogs, black and white rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, waterbucks, hippos, pythons, leopards, and lions, though they are not frequently seen. Other animals include zebras, wildebeests, hyenas, wild dogs, and cheetahs. Primates like olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, and vervet monkeys can also be spotted.
The best time for wildlife viewing is early in the morning or late in the afternoon when animals are active. Bird watchers should visit from November to April when migratory birds from North Africa and Europe are present.
Lake Nakuru National Park is also home to 400 bird species, including ducks, pelicans, white-winged black terns, Verreaux’s eagle, pied kingfisher, goliath heron, African fish eagle, long-tailed widowbird, long-crested eagle, hottentot teal, greater blue-eared starling, lesser kestrel, black-tailed godwit, brown-backed scrub robin, grey-crowned crane, maccoa duck, montane white-eye, Ruppell’s vulture, shining sunbird, arrow-marked warbler, grey-headed woodpecker, crab plover, white-headed vulture, lappet-faced vulture, and pallid harrier.
A highlight of the park is Baboon Cliff, the best vantage point for viewing the entire lake and national park.
