Lake Nakuru National Park

Written by Anthony Akivembe | 03 May 2012

140 kilometres northwest of Nairobi, the park lies in Central Kenya in Nakuru district of the Rift Valley Province.

The alkaline lake has a crusty shoreline, surrounded with wooded and bushy grasslands.

It’s famous for its flamingos (Greater and Lesser) that turns the shoreline crimson including 450 species of birds.

The park is rich in wildlife with both species of rhinos (the black and the white), buffalo, lion, leopard, Spotted hyena, baboons, Vervet monkeys and wildebeest.

In Park Lodges:

• Lake Nakuru lodge
• Sarova Lion Hill Lodge
• Flamingo Hill Tented Camp

Self Catering:

• Wildlife Clubs of Kenya hostels and house
• KWS Naishi house

Special Campsites;

• Naishi, Chui, Rhino, Soysambu, Nyati, Nyuki and Reedbuck

• Wildlife Clubs of Kenya campsite

• Makalia and Backpackers

Activities:

• Game drives
• Bird watching
• Camping

Major Attractions:

• Flamingo (Greater and Lesser),
• Great white pelicans and other water birds including a variety of terrestrial birds numbering about 450 species

Mammals:

• 56 different species including black rhinos, white rhinos, lions

View-points:

• Lion hill, Baboon cliff and Out of Africa

Hills:

• Enasoit,
• Honeymoon,
• Lion hill ridge

Waterfalls:

• Makalia

Unique vegetation:

• About 550 different plant species including the largest euphorbia forest in Africa; yellow acacia woodlands

NB : Cycle with Rhino fund raising event every September

Access:

Road:
156 kilometres northwest of Nairobi, the park is on the main A104 tarmac road. The most commonly used route into the park is via the main gate, 4 kilometres from Nakuru town centre. It is also possible to enter the park from the main Nairobi-Nakuru road at Lanet Gate. The Nderit Gate is used when accessing the park from Masai Mara or Elementeita.

Airstrips:
Naishi airstrip

Park Gates:
The park has three gates: Main Gate and Lanet Gate that link the park with the Nairobi-Nakuru highway and the less used Nderit Gate.