About Lake Nakuru National Park
The name of both a large soda lake and the national park that surrounds it, Lake Nakuru has become synonymous with vast flocks of brightly coloured flamingos with thousands and sometimes millions of the iconic birds calling the lake's shores home.
The park is also famous for its rhinoceros sanctuary, in which 70 white rhinoceros and 25 critically endangered black rhinoceros can be seen. This concentration is one of the largest in Kenya, and makes the park the ideal place to visit if you are eager to see these beautiful creatures in the wild.
Lake Nakuru is often combined with visits to its neighbouring lakes, Lake Bogoria and Lake Naivasha. While not within the park boundaries, both lakes offer distinct experiences that are worth considering.
Lake Nakuru Fact File
- Location: Roughly two and a half hours drive from Nairobi.
- To Do: Game drives, cruise on Lake Naivasha, hot springs at Lake Bogoria, and Crescent Island walking safari.
- Known For: Flamingos and rhinoceros.
Best Time to Visit
Lake Nakuru is a great year-round safari destination. In the drier, hotter months you can expect to see less crowds, while in the rainy season the rains don't tend to spoil the day, as they fall mostly at night and in the morning.
Park Highlights
Flamingos
Lake Nakuru's biggest attraction is undoubtedly its huge flamingo population, which can swell to more than 1.5 million at times. Drawn by a special kind of algae, the bright pink flamingos flock to Lake Nakuru in record numbers each year.
In years when rainfall is particularly heavy and their feeding is disrupted, the flamingos head to nearby Lake Bogoria - meaning it's always possible to see these beautiful birds.
Lake Naivasha
While not a national park, Lake Naivasha is a regular inclusion on longer safari itineraries due to the variety of activities that can be done in the area.
Boat cruises on the lake are a nice way to break up a lengthy safari in which being in the car all day might get a bit tedious, and the cruise offers the chance to see wallowing hippos and a variety of bird-life.
A boat ride on Lake Naivasha is often paired with a walking safari on Crescent Island.
Crescent Island
Another popular add-on when in the Lake Nakuru area, a visit to Crescent Island offers travelers a chance to get out and stretch their legs in proximity to giraffes, buffalo, and more.
The privately owned sanctuary on Crescent Island does not have any predators, making it a perfectly safe place to enjoy a quiet afternoon stroll amid the animals that call the island home.
Lake Bogoria
With its hot springs, spouting geysers, and sweeping views, Lake Bogoria is a picturesque spa destination perfect for a break from the dusty Kenyan roads.
If you're looking for serenity and world class spa facilities, Lake Bogoria is a great option. In recent years, it has also become a popular new home for flamingos.
Baboon Cliff
A popular viewpoint with a stunning view of the entire park, Baboon Cliff takes its name for the large baboon family. One of several scenic viewpoints in the park, Baboon Cliff is a particularly popular stop for photographers wanting to snap a view of Lake Nakuru.
Makalia Falls
For those wishing to get out of their car and stretch their legs, the picturesque Makalia Falls offer the chance to do just that with a hike to the modest falls.
Makalia Falls is also a popular campsite.
Rhinoceros Sanctuary
Lake Nakuru National Park is home to the densest rhino population in Kenya, thanks largely to the rhino sanctuary that exists within the park.
With some 70 white rhinos and a further 25 black rhinos, the park can boast some of the best opportunities to see these endangered giants in the wild.
Gravesite of Lord Baden-Powell
Located less than 100km from Lake Nakuru National Park is the gravesite of Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of the Boy Scouts.
The legendary British military man lived his final years in Kenya, and his gravesite has since been declared a national monument.
