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Shimmering mirage, flamingo realm.
Sunk deep in the cleft of the Great Rift Valley, one of earth’s most phenomenal geological features, ringed by shoals of extinct and dormant volcanoes and presided over by the Menengai Crater, one of the largest craters in the world, lie the turquoise-shimmering waters of Lake Nakuru.
Flamingo-frosted, salt-encrusted, acacia-haloed and guarded by the prehistoric splendour of a grey-green forest of Euphorbia candelabrum, Lake Nakuru National Park offers sanctuary to some of the world’s most endangered creatures.
Fact File
| Altitude | 1,756 metres above sea level |
| Area | 188 sq. km |
| Location | Nakuru, Rift Valley Province |
| Distance from Nairobi | 160 km north-west of Nairobi. |
| Vegetation | 550 plant species and varied woodlands to include: acacia woodlands, Euphorbia and Olea forests. |
| Climate | The climate is warm and dry. |
| Fauna | Indigenous mammals include: the rare long-eared leaf-nosed bat, colobus monkey, rock hyrax, hippo, leopard, lion, rhino, waterbuck, impala, gazelle, striped hyena, bat-eared fox, wild cat, reedbuck and golden cat. Re-stocked mammals include: lion, black and white rhino and the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe. |
| Birds | Up to 1.5 million flamingos plus 450 other species of birds. |
| When to go | The Park is accessible all year round. |
How to get there
By road: The Park is160 km northwest of Nairobi on the A104 highway.
Gates: the Main Gate is 4 kms immediately south of Nakuru and accessed by driving through Nakuru town. Lanet Gate: is off the A104 highway just south of the outskirts of Nakuru (accessible by 2WD vehicles). Nderit Gate is in the south-easterly corner of the Park and accessed by rough roads (4WD vehicles required).
Driving tips
The main (75 km) tourist circuit is a good gravel road, but river crossings (at Muyus and Makalia Bridges) may become impassable in the rains. Although 2WD should suffice around the flatlands in the dry season, 4WD is advisable in the wet season, for hill climbing or when venturing onto secondary tracks.
" The most fabulous bird spectacle in the world "
Roger Tory Peterson
The lake is especially famous for the 1.5 million-strong population of Lesser Flamingo that gather on its shores to filter the brackish water through their beaks and thus extract the blue-green algae, Spirulina platensis, which proliferates in this unique alkaline aquatic environment. Greater flamingo also visit the lake, in smaller numbers than their shorter relatives, feeding usually on the lake bottom, up-ended like ducks or stalking in the shallows with heads submerged. For a variety of reasons neither species breed here, though both regularly make nests and indulge in courtship displays.
On the safari trail
Because the Park is so compact, game density is high and wildlife encounters are plentiful. This is also the Park where you are most likely to see a leopard while the high numbers of lion make sightings a real possibility. In the woodland forests watch out for endangered Rothschild's giraffe, colobus monkey, rhino and the odd striped hyena. In the bushlands look for eland, steenbok, impala and reedbuck while on the cliffs and escarpment you may see dik dik, rock hyrax and klipspringer. In the lake you can enjoy the antics of the small hippo herd whilst on the lakeshore you’ll find numerous waterbuck, reedbuck and zebra. In the southern part of the Park look out for eland, Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelle and in the dense woodlands watch out for large pythons that slither across the road or dangle from the trees.
Kenya’s first rhino sanctuary
Established as Kenya’s first rhino sanctuary, the Park now hosts one of the largest black rhino concentrations in the country and substantial numbers of white rhino have also been introduced.
Where to find them: black rhino prefer bushy forested areas and are therefore more difficult to spot. White rhino prefer to graze in open grasslands, especially those around the lakeshore making them very easy to spot.
Activity options
Picnic sites and lookout points
Baboon Cliff
Close to the main gates and well signed, Baboon Cliff offers magnificent views across the sky-mirrored waters of the lake with a 100 m nature trail along the cliffs, picnic tables and lavatories.
Out of Africa Hill
In the southern part of the park, Out of Africa Hill has no facilities but show-stopping views off the edge of the precipitous escarpment and makes a good sundowner spot when staying at Naishi House.
Acacia picnic site
A shaded clearing in the acacia groves bordering the lake 5 minutes from the main gate, this site makes a cool-green lunchtime venue. Picnic tables and lavatories are provided.
Makalia Falls
Located in the southern part of the Park, this campsite offers a broad expanse of child-friendly greensward, with showers, lavatories, tap-water and picnic tables. There is also access to the torrents and plunge pool of the adjacent Makalia Falls.
Kenya Wildlife Service information
The Park is open daily 6.00 am to 7.00pm (no entry is allowed on foot, and visitors will not be allowed into the Park after 6.15pm). Current entry charges may be obtained by visiting website www.kws.org or Email kws@kws.org or calling Tel: (Nairobi)+254 (0)20 501081/2, 602345.
For local updates please contact: The warden: PO Box 539 Nakuru. Tel: (Nakuru) +254 (0)51 44069 or 45287 email: kwslnnp@africaonline.co.ke.
Entry is by SmartCard only. SmartCards may be loaded and obtained the Main Gate.
Visitor tip: an exciting new range of visitor guidebooks, brochures, maps and posters are available from KWS; please contact KWS HQ in Nairobi for details.
See also : What to see and do? and Our packages
