Table of Contents
Overview of Lake Nakuru NP
Location of the park
Lake Nakuru national park is one of the many parks that are situated within the Great Rift valley of Kenya. It is 156 Kilometers North of Nairobi. The park is sited on 188 square kilometers covering forests, grasslands and the Lake itself which is alkaline in nature. It is easily accessible with a good road network and its close proximity to Nakuru town. The park is seated on a 188 square kilometers of land covering forests, grasslands and the Lake itself which is alkaline in nature.
History of the Park
Historically, this park was established in the year 1961 (history of this Lake is as referenced here). It was initially a birds sanctuary and later expanded to include other wildlife.
What makes this Park
Lake Nakuru is the most viable feature of the park which is surrounded by hills and cliffs giving it a majestic look. This park is recommended for photographers and nature lovers due to its beautiful outlook.
Wildlife at L. Nakuru
The big 5
This lake is home to a variety of wildlife consisting of animals and birds. It’s a wonderful place to what the big fives: the lion, buffalo, rhino, elephant and the leopard. In fact, the rhino population is quite huge with both the white and black rhino; making it a good place to catch a glimpse of this endangered species up-close. In addition, rhino conservation is a major priority in this park which you should never miss to plan for when arranging your safari trip to this park.
Lake Nakuru is also a home to a number of various prides of lions who spend their time strolling in the park freely. It is common saying by tourist guides that catching a glimpse of the lions is not a hard task at L. Nakuru NP because the population is large enough.
The giraffe
Another beautiful and majestic animal to see at this park is the giraffe. The park is especially known for the Rothschild giraffe which has been declared as an endangered sub-species of the giraffe family.
The grazers of L. Nakuru
The Park has a huge plains filled with grass lands thus, has attracted a number of grazers such as the water bucks, buffaloes, gazelles, zebras, wildebeests and more.
The cats of L. Nakuru
The cats found in this Park are the leopards and the cheetahs which are also a common site in the park. They often roam in the grass land and the wooded areas. It is easy to spot them in these grasslands preying on some of the grazers.
Birds at Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru offers a good array of various birds for bird watchers to enjoy. It is a known destination for many flamingo species which love to feed on the invertebrates and algae of the saline waters of Lake Nakuru. Apart from the flamingos, there also other bird species such as the pelican that love to make huge nests along the shore lines. Other notable birds are the eagles that feed on the lakes fish as well as others that feed on the various species of birds at the shores of Lake Nakuru park. Other major species in the lake are the Marabou stork, Horn bills and numerous Waterfowl.
Major attractions at Lake Nakuru National Park.
- Waterfalls: This park is home to the Nakuru Waterfall which is a great scene.
- Game Drives: Taking game drive drive is one of the sure ways of getting to see the parks wildlife and the natural beauty. Make sure to take a guide to take you through the flora and fauna.
- Baboon cliff: The baboon cliff provides a good spot to view over the park and lake and get a glimpse of the whole place.
- Nakuru hill: Hiking through the park to the Nakuru hill and have a great view of the park.
Activities at the Lake Nakuru National Park
Major activities at Lake Nakuru National park include:
- Hiking through the numerous trials at the park.
- Bird-watching for the migratory and resident birds
- Game drives through the park for a chance to view the wildlife at the park.
Conservation efforts at Lake Nakuru National park.
The major role of the conservation efforts include conserving the endangered species of wildlife at the park and also protecting the park itself. One of the key success story at the park is the Rhine Sanctuary which has helped preserve the Rhino population in the Country.
Why tour Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru is a rich environment that provides a good place for unforgettable getaways. From bird-watching to game drives, this place will offer you an experience of a life time. If you are planning a game drive or a Safari Trip in Kenya make sure to include Lake Nakuru in your itinerary for a life time experience.