Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru National park is one of the Rift Valley lakes at an elevation of 1,754 m (5,755 ft) above sea level. It lies to the south of Nakuru, in the rift valley of Kenya, and is protect by Lake Nakuru National Park.
The lake’s abundance of algae used to attract a vast quantity of flamingos that famously lined the shore. Other birds also flourish in the area, as do warthogs, baboons, and other large mammals. Eastern black rhinos and southern white rhinos are also there.
Lakes level
The lake’s level dropped dramatically in the early 1990s but has since largely recovered. In 2013, the lake received an alarming increase in the water levels that led to the migration of flamingos to Lake Bogoria in search for food supply.
Nakuru means “Dust or Dusty Place” in the Maasai language. Lake Nakuru National Park, close to Nakuru town, was established in 1961. It started off small, only encompassing the famous lake and the surrounding mountainous vicinity, but has since been extended to include a large part of the savannahs.
Lake Nakuru is under the Ramsar Convention on wetlands
Park Activities
Camping, Game viewing, Bird watching, and Nature walk
How to get there
Roads:The park has a tarmac road connection with Nairobi, a distance of 156 km north west of Nairobi on the main A104 road. The most commonly used route into the park is via the main gate, 4 km 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 by people accessing the park from Masai Mara or Elementaita.
Airstrips:The Naishi airstrip services the park for tourism and KWS activities.
Park Roads:The park has an adequate and well serviced motorable roads that make most parts of the park accessible.
Park Gates:Lanet and Nderit gates are located on the Larger part of the Park on the Eastern side. Old Main gate is located on the Northern Western side of the Park and still accessible but due to the rise of water level you cannot make a full circuit to connect to the Eastern side. Visitors with tickets can access both sides of the park without paying extra charges.
Attractions
Flamingo (Greater and Lesser) and other water birds including a variety of terrestrial birds numbering about 450 species in total.
Mammals: 56 different species including white rhinos,waterbuck etc.
View-points: Lion hill, Baboon cliff and Out of Africa
Hills: Enasoit, Honeymoon, Lion hill ridge etc
Waterfalls: Makalia.
Unique vegetation: About 550 different plant species including the unique and biggest euphorbia forest in Africa, Picturesque landscape and also yellow acacia woodlands.
Cycle with rhino event every September yearly
