Lake Nakuru National Park is an amazing bird and mammal’s sanctuary found in Kenya. Located on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, the park which is only 156 kilometers north west of Nairobi is flanked by rocky escarpments, pockets of acacia forest and the Makalia waterfalls. The Lake itself, which is home to an array of bird species is surrounded by wooded and bushy grassland.

Visitors to Lake Nakuru enjoy a wide ecological diversity and varied habitats ranging from Lake itself to the surrounding escarpment and picturesque ridges. Lake Nakuru National Park is a favorite for bird watchers, hikers, picnic and game drives. The park is home over 55 mammal species including Lions, Leopard, Eland, Water Buck, Gazelles, Buffalos, Spotted Hyenas, various species of Monkeys, Common Zebra among others. It is however the rare Rothschild’s Giraffes and White Rhinos for which this park acts as a safe haven that makes this park special.

On a game drive through the park’s dense acacia forest you are likely come across herds of impala and waterbuck. In the woodlands you have a chance to see the large African Rock pythons hanging from the trees.

For years, Lake Nakuru National Park was a favorite spot to see Lesser and Greater Flamingos. It had been a blazing sea of millions of deep pink flamingos with their intense fuchsias bursting against Lake Nakuru’s deep blue alkaline waters. The pink lake was until a few years ago the most brilliant show of birdlife on earth.

However, natural factors have seen the number of these stunning birds reduce in the recent past. One of the main reasons has been an over flow of water from the highlands to the park. This has led to flooding, which has contributed to reduction of the alkaline levels in the waters. Consequently, it is believed that it has led to lesser algae in the Lake. Flamingos mainly feed on algae and the migratory birds have therefore been forced to spend their time in other Lakes and swamps around East Africa. These include Lake Bogoria and Lake Magadi in Kenya, and Lake Natron in Tanzania. Smaller numbers can still be seen in Lake Nakuru, Lake Elementeita, Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater and lately even at Kenya’s Amboseli National Park.

Despite the reduction in number of Flamingos, Lake Nakuru National Park remains an ornithologist’s paradise. It is home to over 500 bird species. The park is one of the best places in Kenya to see the striking, long-tailed widowbird. A good variety of raptors, including the long-crested Eagle and Verreaux’s Eagle are also found here. Other notable species are the Great White Pelican, Egyptian Goose, Hottentot Teal, Greater Blue eared Sterling, Lesser Kestrel, Lappet faced Vulture, European Roller and the Grey Headed Wood Pecker. The vegetation at Lake Nakuru National Park also supports 550 different species of plants, giving the park unique vegetation.

For those who are interested in scenic views, Lake Nakuru offers that at the Lion Hill view point, Out of Africa view point and the Baboon Cliff. At the baboon cliff which enjoys a vantage point over the park, you have a chance to marvel at the Lake below, with possible views of Rhinos, Giraffes and Flamingos below, with the site itself being a site for curious and naughty Baboons that move from vehicle to vehicle in the hope of grabbing an easy meal.

Makalia Falls: At the south end of Lake Nakuru National Park, you will find Makalia Falls. The pretty water fall is an amazing spot for picnic and hiking.

Most of our safaris to Lake Nakuru National Park are by road, linking the park to Nairobi, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli, Ol Pejeta, Aberdare and Samburu as part of our itineraries around Kenya. For those who would wish to fly, we offer charted flights into Naishi airstrip from where we transport the guests to the lodge by road. For all enquiries, please feel free to contact us: holidays@esseniasafaris.co.ke