Nickname: “The Bird Watchers’ Paradise”

 

On the floor of the Great Rift Valley, surrounded by wooded and bushy grassland, lies the beautiful Lake Nakuru National Park. Lake Nakuru National Park is one of Kenya’s two Premium Parks, and is a bird-lover's paradise. It surrounds Lake Nakuru, located in the Central Rift Conservation Area in the Southern Rift Valley region of Kenya. Originally protected as a bird sanctuary, this park hosts over 450 bird species, including 5 globally threatened species, and is an important stop on the African-Eurasian Migratory Flyway. This park was also the first national Rhino sanctuary and hosts one of the world’s highest concentrations of the Black Rhinoceros. Lake Nakuru occupies about a third of the park and it supports a dense bloom of the blue-green Cyanophyte Spirulina platensis from which it derives its color and is a food source for flamingos. During peak season over millions of flamingos and Pelicans congregate on the lake. 

 

The park also protects the largest euphorbia candelabrum forest in Africa. These tall branching succulents are endemic to the region and provide an interesting textural element to the arid landscapes. More than 450 species of birds have been recorded here as well as a rich diversity of other wildlife. Lions, leopards, warthogs, water-bucks, pythons, and white rhinos are just some of the animals visitors might see, and the landscapes range from sweeping grasslands bordering the lake to rocky cliffs and woodland. Visitors can enjoy the wide ecological diversity and varied habitats that range from Lake Nakuru itself to the surrounding escarpment and picturesque ridges. Lake Nakuru National Park is ideal for bird watching, hiking, picnic and game drives.

 

No matter your budget, contact us and we will help you decide on the destination of your choice and design an affordable and memorable safari experience that fulfills your safari desires, dreams and expectations. Contact us today and Unleash Your Spirit of Adventure with The Big Five Adventure Safaris!

 

KEY FEATURES

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Location: Nakuru District, Nakuru County, Rift Valley Province, Kenya.

 

Size:​

 

The park is 118 sq km; 116 sq mi in size.

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Distance:​

 

It is 140 kilometers (90 miles) northwest of the capital city Nairobi and takes about 2 hours by road or 30 - 35 minutes by flight. The park has a tarmac road connection with Nairobi. 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.

 

Birds:​

 

Over 450 bird species have been recorded.

 

Wildlife:​

 

In addition to its 450 species of birds, Lake Nakuru National Park is home to 50+ mammal species, and over 500 species of flora. This park is famous for the flocks of Greater and Lesser Flamingos that gather around the lake. Because Lake Nakuru National Park was fenced to protect endangered Rhinos and Giraffes, it can’t support African Elephants, so you won’t find any here! You are guaranteed to see: White Rhinos, African Buffalos, Rothschild Giraffes, Zebras, Impalas, Olive Baboons, Vervet Monkeys, Waterbucks, a variety of water birds (Yellow-billed Pelicans, Marabou Storks, Hammerkops, Fish Eagles, etc.). Common in the park: Hyenas, Jackals, Lesser Flamingos, Hippopotamus, Pythons. If you are lucky you may see: Lions, Leopards, Black Rhinos, Wild Dogs, Colobus Monkeys, Cheetahs.

 

Activities:

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Bird watching. Camping. Game viewing. Photography. Scenic.

 

When to go:

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All year round. The park is open daily from 6:00 am  to 7:00 pm including on public holidays. No entry is allowed on foot and visitors will not be allowed entry after 6:15 pm. Walking or hiking is only allowed in designated areas, or in the company of a KWS Ranger.