Spanning only 188 square kilometers (18,800 hectares/73 miles) west of Nairobi city, Lake Nakuru National Park protects the spectacular Lake Nakuru, one of the Rift Valley Soda Lakes in Kenya. This Lake is seated on an elevated area with altitude of 1754 meters (5755 feet) above sea level. This National Park is one of the 23 National Parks in Kenya, within the East African region.
Location of Lake Nakuru National Park.
Lake Nakuru National Park is nestled within the southern end of Nakuru, within the floor of the Great Rift Valley area, Central region of Kenya and surrounded by savannah grassland as well as woodland. The National Park is made-up of the Lake itself, bushy grasslands as well as woodlands and is approximately 164 kilometers north of Nairobi City.
History.
Lake Nakuru National Park has one of the most interesting histories. It first became a sport shooting and birding viewing area in the early 1950s before gaining a Conservation Area status in 1950.
The beautiful area was then established as a Bird Sanctuary in 1961 and later a National Park in 1968 near the town of Nakuru, mainly to protect the biodiverse Lake Nakuru. In 1984, the area was established as the first Government-owned Rhino Sanctuary, while the beautiful Lake Nakuru was designated a Ramsar Wetland on 5th June 1990. The name “Nakuru” means “Dust” or “Dusty place” in the local Masai dialect.
ATTRACTIONS IN LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK.
Tourists to Lake Nakuru National Park can relish the rich biological diversity as well as extraordinary habitats that range from the stunning Lake Nakuru itself, wildlife, birds to the surrounding Escarpment with its jaw-dropping ridges.
Lake Nakuru.
Lake Nakuru itself is the prime tourist attraction in this small Kenyan National Park. This shallow and Alkaline Lake has not outflows, with a surface Area ranging from five to forty five square kilometers. The maximum depth of this Lake is 1.8 meters and sits on a surface elevation of 1754 meters above sea level.
The water levels of this breathtaking lake drastically reduced in the early 1990s but the good news is that it has greatly recovered. Lake Nakuru is protected under the Ramsar Convection on wetlands and shelters numerous bird species in addition to being a host to thousands of wildlife species.
Wildlife.
There are over 56 species of mammals in Lake Nakuru National Park and always frequent the Lakeshores because of its abundance of algae. Some of animal species in this Park include Cheetahs, Defassa waterbucks, Hippos, over 70 Southern white Rhinos and about 25 Eastern black Rhinos (one of the highest concentrations in Kenya), Zebras, Leopards, Olive baboons, lions, warthogs, common elands, gazelles, Cape buffaloes, impalas, black and white colobus monkeys, African wild dogs, vervet monkeys, jackals, Rothschild giraffes, spotted hyenas, Wildebeests, Elephants, African lions and many others.
This park also shelters a number of African Rock Pythons that occupy the thick woodlands and are sometimes spotted cross the roads or hanging on trees.
Bird species.
A myriad of birds, totaling to over 450 species of birds call Lake Nakuru and its surrounding areas home. The lesser and greater flamingos nest along the shores of this shallow Alkaline Lake. The colorful Baglafecht weavers, Marabou storks, Greater blue-eared starling, African fish eagles, Maccoa ducks, Goliath Herons, Sooty falcon, Yellow-billed pelicans, Bateleur, Slender-billed greenbul, Augur buzzard, Grey-crested helmet shrike, slender-billed greenbul, Kenya Rufous sparrow, Arrow-marked babblers, Rufous-naped lark, Crab plover, Verreaux’s eagles, Grey crowned cranes, Mocking cliff chat, Abyssinian thrush, Hammerkop, Great snipe, White-headed vultures, Blue-billed teal, Pied and giant kingfishers are some of the bird species here.
Hills.
The Bahati Hills in the north-east of the lake and Lion Hill to the East are some of the spectacular Hills within Lake Nakuru National Park.
Waterfalls.
Lake Nakuru National Park also protects a number of breathtaking waterfalls that include Makalia waterfalls. This moderate waterfall on River Makalia is found within the southern corner of the Park and drops-off at about 10 meters off a sheer cliff. The waterfalls not only stand out for the awe-inspiring appearance but also a birder’s Paradise in this wilderness area.
TOURIST ACTIVITIES IN LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK.
Lake Nakuru National Park is perfect for a number of tourist activities that include game drives, hiking/guided walks, picnics and bird watching.
Game drives.
Game drives in the company of a trained Park Ranger allow you to identify several wildlife species in Lake Nakuru National Park. Expect to spot lions, spotted hyenas, Defassa waterbucks, impalas, zebras, Rothschild giraffes, cheetahs, common elands, impalas, gazelles, Rhinos, Hippos and jackals among others.
Bird watching.
Lake Nakuru National Park protects the beautiful Lake Nakuru and its surrounding areas that are home to over 350 species of birds. There are lesser and greater flamingos, African fish eagles, Goliath Herons, Sooty falcon, Yellow-billed pelicans, Bateleur, Slender-billed greenbul, Augur buzzard, Grey-crested helmet shrike, slender-billed greenbul, Kenya Rufous sparrow, Arrow-marked babblers and many others. Birding tours in this Park are conducted through game drives and guided nature walks.
Guided walking safaris
There is no better way to explore the tranquil shores of Lake Nakuru, Makalia waterfalls, the hills and other hidden areas of this Park than through guided walking safaris. You will see hidden habitats, numerous wildlife species, birds and other attractions of this small Protected Area.
Camping and Picnics
The landscape of Lake Nakuru National Park makes it perfect for Camping and picnics in the wilderness.
Other must-do tourist activities in Lake Nakuru National Park are Photography and filming as well as Cycling, which are undeniably conducted all year round.
CLIMATE AND BEST TIME TO EXPLORE LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK.
Lake Nakuru National Park is generally dry sub-humid to semi-arid area. The Peak tourism season is during the dry season-July to September and January to early March because chances of rain are minimal during these months. Animals tend to gather around water points during these months, thus excellent game viewing experiences. However, the Park also becomes crowded with tourist vehicles because majority of visitors prefer this time of the year.
Rain showers are experienced during March, April, May and November. Park roads are muddy during these months but if you wish to avoid the crowd, then these are the best months to explore the Park.
Entry Fees
The entry fees for Lake Nakuru National Park include $60 for adult non-residents and $35 for non-resident students/or children. Kenyan Nationals are charged Kshs. 860 for adults and Kshs. 215 for students/children, while adult foreign residents of Kenya pay Kshs. 1030 and Kshs. 515 for students/children. Additional fees are charged for vehicles and this depends on the type of vehicle/number of seats.
POPULAR ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES IN OR NEAR LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK.
Booking a comfortable place to stay is also an experience for visitors to Lake Nakuru National Park. The top accommodation facilities for visitors exploring this amazing Park are;
Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge
Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge is a luxury Wilderness Lodge set along the Lion Hill, rewarding visitors with jaw-dropping views of Lake Nakuru and fringed by forests of acacia.
It features 64 en-suite chalets, two of which are luxury suites and one is a honeymoon suite. Each of these chalets has private balcony overlooking the Lake and other facilities are well-stocked bar, restaurant, conference and meeting facilities and many others.
Lake Nakuru Lodge
This exquisite midrange Eco-Lodge has the capacity of accommodation up to 170 visitors in suites, deluxe or farm house, offering views of the Lake and visiting wildlife species. The facility features an in-house restaurant, seating area, private bathroom, swimming pool, conference Center and other facilities.
Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge
Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge offers 60 comfortable rooms including two inter-connecting rooms as well as two that are wheelchair accessible with 24 hour room service, hair dryers, private bathrooms and safes. Facilities at this 3-star Lodge are an outdoor swimming pool, massage/treatment rooms, lounge area/well-stocked bar, gift shop, business Center, poolside bar, and spacious parking space.
Other beautiful accommodation facilities within or around Lake Nakuru National Park ate the stunning Flamingo Hill Tented Camp, Lakira Camp, Kambi Amani Eco-Camp, Eagle View Hotel, Mbweha Safari Camp, Naishi Guesthouse and Midland Hotel Nakuru among others.
HOW TO GET TO LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
Situated in the south of Nakuru Town and about 164 kilometers from the Capital City, Lake Nakuru National Park can be explored in a 1 day Tour from Nairobi City or add-on for a circuit that covers other popular destinations. You can explore the Park as part of a long Kenyan safari that includes Samburu National Reserve, Lake Baringo and the famous Masai Mara National Reserve.
Travelling from Nairobi, you use the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway where you will get a chance to enjoy sceneries of the spectacular Great Rift Valley. The three main Park entrances are the main gate as well as Lanet Gate connecting from the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway in addition to the less-used Nderit Gate.
Another way of getting to Lake Nakuru National Park is direct flights from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Naishi Airstrip inside this National Park.
