Is Lake Nakuru worth visiting? One of the lakes in the Rift Valley is Lake Nakuru, which is located 1,754 meters (5,755 feet) above sea level. Situated in the Kenyan rift valley to the south of Nakuru, this area is protected by the Lake Nakuru National Park. Flamingos known to line the shoreline of lake Nakuru are the main attraction of the safari tour, the flocks of flamingos are attracted by the abundance of algae in the lake. Not only do warthogs and baboons and other large mammals survive there, but so do other birds. There have also been introductions of eastern black rhinos and southern white rhinos. The lake’s water level dropped significantly around the beginning of the 1990s, although it has since mostly recovered. Due to a concerning rise in the lake’s water levels in 2013, flamingos moved to Lake Bogoria in quest of food. Between 2010 and 2020, Lake Nakuru’s surface area increased from 40 to 68 square kilometres (15 to 26 square miles). Numerous National Park regions, certain Nakuru town districts, and 677 residences had experienced flooding. One of Kenya’s best places to go birdwatching, Lake Nakuru National Park is home to over 500 different bird species. The park is well-known for its fantastic birdwatching excursions. The huge bird population in Lake Nakuru National area is made up of a wide variety of species, including endemic species that are unique to Kenya, near-endemic species, threatened species, migratory species that visit the area from November to April, and many more.
Birds are the main attraction and the highlight of Lake Nakuru National Park. Millions of larger and lesser pink flamingos flock to the lake, painting it with bands of pink, white, and blue colour. Bird watching safaris come here year-round to witness this.
Birdwatching in Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru is known for its great population of both greater and lesser flamingos making it one of the best birding safaris in Kenya destination. Other bird species seen in Lake Nakuru National Park include the Abyssinian thrush, Arrow-marked babbler, Bateleur, Godwits with dark tails, Black-winged lapwing, Brown-backed canary scrub robin in flames Eastern imperial eagle, European roller, and crab-plover Grey-crowned crane, Grey-headed woodpecker, Excellent target, a larger-spotted eagle, the screeching grey helmet The lapwing vulture, the rufous sparrow of Kenya, and the starling of Hildebrandt Lesser flamingo, widowbird with a long tail, Lesser kestrel, Maccoa Duck, The Montane Puff back’s white eyes, the dull harrier, the red-capped lark, the wryneck with the rufous throat, Rüppell’s Vogels, Rüppell’s robin-chat, Schawlow’s wheatear, the brilliant sunbird, Thin-billed greenbul, black falcon, Speke weaver, West Coast reef heron, White-fronted bee-eater, White-headed vulture, and many more.
Lake Nakuru scenery
Lake Nakuru National Park is one of Kenya’s most stunning national parks and one of the most well-known. Its breathtaking scenery includes the lake itself, with yellow fever trees flourishing along its banks, and an escarpment of the rift valley that rises from the lake’s side and is lined with a gallery of Euphorbia trees. Lake Nakuru is the best place to go for birding safaris, flamingos photography and wildlife viewing because of its breathtaking beauty. Millions of larger and lesser flamingos congregate in the lake every year, creating an amazing birding spectacle.
Lake Nakuru wildlife
The Big Five of Kenya—elephants excluded—reside in Lake Nakuru National Park, which is also a fantastic place for game drives during kenya safari tours. Lake Nakuru National Park is home to over 56 different species of mammals Making it a great Kenya wildlife safaris destination. It is also among the few locations in Kenya with the largest population of critically endangered rhinos. Lake Nakuru National Park is home to numerous species, including the eastern black rhinoceros, southern white rhinoceros, Rothschild’s giraffe, waterbucks, lions, predators, cheetah, Burchell’s zebra, Thomson’s gazelle, hippopotamuses, and hyenas. In addition to wildlife, the park is home to black-and-white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, and vervet monkeys.
The most remarkable feature of Lake Nakuru National Park is Lake Nakuru itself, a rift valley and RAMSAR site that gave rise to the park’s name, Soda Lake. Lake Nakuru occupies a substantial proportion of the park, covering 45 square kilometres. Due to the regular influx of birds like lesser and greater flamingos, the lake serves as both a home to a diverse array of animals and the finest spot to observe a wide range of birds.
Lake Nakuru Rhinos
The greatest population of black and white rhinos in Kenya and East Africa may be found in Lake Nakuru National Park. Presently, the park serves as a sanctuary for rhinos, with more than 100 rhinos belonging to the black and white rhino species. An electrified fence of 188 km2 surrounds the park, keeping poachers out and safeguarding the rhinos. The rare Rothschild’s giraffes are also housed in this sanctuary; you can only locate them in this park.
Ridge viewpoints
Lake Nakuru National Park boasts a distinctively hilly terrain that not only enhances the park’s beauty but also creates breathtaking ridge viewpoints from which you can observe animals and birds as well as other park features and even Nakuru town. You can guarantee the best viewing out there because all of these locations are elevated. The three most notable locations in the park are Out of Africa, Lion Hill, and Baboon Cliff. Each is picturesque on its own, and you won’t be disappointed at any of them.
Lake Nakuru Waterfalls
The Makalia waterfalls in Lake Nakuru National Park are relatively unknown to most visitors since, unless it’s mentioned to you, it’s easy to overlook; some have even dubbed it the park’s “secret beauty.” Despite its modest size, Makalia Falls is incredibly lovely, offering a soothing and revitalizing sensation due to its cascading waters and gentle air. One place you definitely shouldn’t miss when visiting Lake Nakuru National Park is this autumn.
The History of the Park
Lake Nakuru National Park was originally established in the 1950s as a bird sanctuary, and at that time it consisted of Lake Nakuru and a few km around the lake. The savannah section of the park was added in the 1960s, and animals were gradually added to replace the park’s bird population. Lake Nakuru National Park was formally gazetted as a national park in 1968.
Climate
The sub-humid weather of Lake Nakuru National Park is distinct. Throughout the year, this type of weather is neither extremely hot nor extremely cold. Nonetheless, there are still two seasons in the park: the sunny season and the rainy season. However, because of the semi-humid environment of the park, the conditions are not as harsh as they are in other parts of Kenya during these seasons.
Well-established Road Network
The road network at Lake Nakuru National Park connects you to all points in the park where you can readily locate the animals, making for an excellent game viewing experience.
