Lake Nakuru national park

Lake Nakuru National Park was gazetted in 1961 with a total of 188 sq km located near Lake Nakuru. This national park home to a number of mammals and bird species which has attracted a number of tourists to the park. The highest population of Rhinos in Kenya is found in Lake Nakuru National Park which has both the eastern black rhinos which are over 25 in number and the southern white rhinos which are also about 70 numbers which are great numbers since they are endangered. It is one of the most visited Kenya Destinations for tourists.

The park has put efforts in combating poaching in the area by putting up a fence which restricts poachers from accessing the animals which in the long run will increase the number of animals.

Lake Nakuru is a habitant to a number of bird species which have attracted birders to the park some, of the bird species, include the flamingos which are over a million the flamingos are characterized into two the lesser with its red carmine beak and pink feathers and the greater flamingos with a black beak.

Accessing Lake Nakuru National Park

It can be accessed by either air or road transport. By road transport, tourists from Nairobi city will take only 150 km which approximately takes about 3 hours via the A104 main road. The vehicle will travel along the main A104 road to the main gate of the park. The distance from Nakuru town to the main gate is 8km and it takes about 20 minutes for tourists to access it via the Baringo Street. For international tourists, they can land at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where they can catch domestic flights to Nyaishi airstrip which is serviced by the park making it fast and easy which takes less than an hour.

The park has three gates that can be accessed by the tourists and the main gate which is situated 4 kilometres from Nakuru town. The tourists can also access the park through the Lanet gate from the main Nairobi-Nakuru road. Lastly, they can access Lake Nakuru National Park through the Nderit gate which is usually used by people coming from the Masai Mara national park.

Attractions at Lake Nakuru National Park

Bird species: Lake Nakuru National Park is home to a number of bird species with an estimate of over 400 bird species these attract birders from around the world. During November to April, it’s the season for the migrant birds from North Africa and Europe running away from winter seasons to the park but it is also important to note that it’s also the breeding season for the migrant and the native birds. Flamingos are some of the most common bird species and the most seen on Lake Turkana in Lake Nakuru national park with both the lesser flamingos with pink plumage and black beaks and the greater flamingos with white plumage and red beaks. These can be seen covering Lake Turkana with their beautiful pink plumage that catches the eye of the tourists when they reach the lake Nakuru region. The flamingos are always seen on the lake because there is the presence of Cyanophyta in the salty waters which is used as food by the flamingos. Aside from flamingos there are other bird species that can be seen that include the long-tailed widow bird, greater white pelican, greater blue eared sterling, Hottentots teal which are among the most common birds in the area but others include; Abyssinia thrush, red-capped lark, lesser kestrel, pallid harrier, Northern puff back and many more.
Animal species: The park is home to over a million bird species which makes it favourable for birding but also tourists that are interested in seeing wild animals are also attracted since it is also has a number of wild animals. Like some animals of the big five like the rhinoceros where you will find both the white and black rhino the lions and the leopard. The park is also home to the hippos, giraffes, buffalo, zebra, lions, wildebeest and so many other.
Makalia falls: The beautiful Makalia falls are another attraction one wouldn’t miss to see while in the park the falls are found in the southern end of the park. The falls are frequented by campers because they offer a cool breeze and spectacular views and cool breezes that offer relaxation for the tourists. In the area, there is also Makalia falls camping site to cater for tourists that are interested in camping near the falls.
Lake Nakuru: Lake Nakuru is another tourist attraction in the park. The lake is one of East Africa’s soda lakes which attract different bird species like the flamingos that are attracted by the cyanophyte that is formed on the lake which is a source of food to the flamingos. On the lake area, different animal species like the baboons, the rhinos and the warthogs can also be seen which gives a spectacular view once seen.
Primate species: Some of the primate species that can be seen include the baboons, the monkey species like the vervet monkey

Activities that are carried out in Lake Nakuru National Park

Game drives: Game drives in the park are rewarding because a tourist is able to see various animal and bird species. The park is home to over 50 animal species including predators like the lions though are rare to be spotted because they are few in number and the leopard. There is also the presence of different monkey species like the vervet monkey the baboons, impalas, wildebeest, hippos and many more some of the animals can be seen grazing in the savannah grasslands. These make most of the activities in the East Africa Safaris.
Birding: Birding in Nakuru is one of the most rewarding activities in the park for tourists that are interested in knowing the behaviour of different bird species like their breeding patterns, eating habits and others. Given the different number of bird species which are over 400 in number the park that attracts birders from different areas. The bird species that are common include the flamingos that are the biggest percentage of the birds that are seen on Lake Nakuru, the Abyssinia thrush, red-capped lark, lesser kestrel, pallid harrier, Northern puff back and many more. These offer a variety of bird species for a birder to enjoy watching thus improving their experience while at the park.
Sightseeing: The scenery of Lake Nakuru National Park is breathtaking with a number of tourist attraction for instance in the morning the lake is seen in the misty clouds with the pelicans and the flamingos lining up the shoreline to get algae from the salty waters which are used as food.
Nature walks: Nature walks are popular in the park, accompanied by the park ranger nature walks are rewarding because different vegetation zones can be seen like the savannah grasslands, the euphorbia trees that are seen around the park. Other beautiful attractions that will catch the eyes of the tourists include the escarpments that are seen from the lakeshore, tourists can also see the rhinos both white and black along the shoreline, flamingos and in the savannah plains, like the hippos, impalas, zebra, wildebeests grazing which is quite rewarding.
Camping: Camping is also another activity that is also carried out in Lake Nakuru national park. For tourists that are interested in adventuring, then the park is the destination with numerous camping spots, for instance, the Makalia falls camping site, Out of Africa picnic site and many more.

Accommodation at the Park

The accommodation facilities in Lake Nakuru national park offer the best overstay experience. The facilities cater for budget, mid-range and luxury tourists. These offer different services like dinning, bed and breakfast, 24-hour room service, bar services and so on. Some of them include Flamingo hill tented camp, Sarova lion hill game reserve, Mbweha Camp, Lake Nakuru Lodge and many more. With a variety of options, the tourist is able to choose from the available options to see what best fits them and their budget.

Best time to visit the park

The best time to visit the park is during the dry months because in the wet months the rain interferes with game drives by making the roads slippery during the drives this can be challenging during the drives. The best months to visit the park is during June to march when there is little rain.