Lake Nakuru national park on Kenya safari; Top birders haven and wildlife destination in Africa

Lake Nakuru national park on Kenya safari

Lake Nakuru national park on Kenya safari at -0.40349°S, 36.09617°E on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, surrounded by wooded and bushy grassland; Lake Nakuru- a small shallow alkaline lake is most famous for the spectacle flocks of up to 2 million greater and lesser flamingos that nest on its shores. The wide ecological diversity and varied habitats that range from Lake Nakuru itself to the surrounding escarpment, gorges and ridges. Lake Nakuru National Park is ideal for bird watching, hiking, picnic, forest/ nature walks and game drives. Lake Nakuru is one of the Rift Valley lakes, located at an elevation of 1,754 m above sea level. It lies to the south of Nakuru town, in the rift valley of Kenya and is protected by Lake Nakuru National Park.

Lake Nakuru

Lake Nakuru’s abundance of algae attracts a vast number of flamingos and other birds that famously line up along the shore. Other birds also flourish in the area, as do warthogs, baboons and other large mammals. Eastern black rhinos and southern white rhinos have also been introduced. The surface of the shallow lake is often hardly recognizable due to the continually shifting mass of pink. The number of flamingos on the lake varies with water and food conditions and the best vantage point is from Baboon Cliff. Lake Nakuru national park is a UNESCO heritage site with an area of 188 km around the lake fenced off as a sanctuary to protect giraffes as well as both black and white rhinos in Lake Nakuru national park on Kenya safari.

Lake Nakuru national park on Kenya safari tours

Activities at lake Nakuru national park on Kenya safari

Entry fees in lake Nakuru national park are $90 for adults and $45 f0r children (3-17 years). While in Lake Nakuru national park on Kenya safari you will be able to enjoy numerous sightings of;

Greater and lesser flamingos
Pelicans
Giraffes
Africa’s big 5 game (lions, buffalos, elephants, leopards, rhinos)
Hyenas
Antelopes
Wild dogs
Birding & bird watching
Lodges and sightings

Lake Nakuru birding, wildlife & Africa's big 5 safaris

Lake Nakuru game park has recently been enlarged partly to provide a sanctuary for black rhinos. This endeavor has necessitated a fence – to keep out poachers rather than to restrict the movement of wildlife. Lake Nakuru game park stretches for 12.1 km on the south eastern boundary with the Soysambu conservancy, which represents a possible future expansion of habitat for the rhinos and the only remaining wildlife corridor to Lake Naivasha.

Lake Nakuru national park now has more than 25 eastern black rhinoceros, one of the largest concentrations in the country, plus around 70 southern white rhinos. There are also a number of Rothschild’s giraffe, Waterbucks are very common and both the Kenyan subspecies are found here. Among the predators are lions, cheetahs and leopards, the latter being seen much more frequently in recent times. Lake Nakuru game park also has large sized pythons that inhabit the dense woodlands, and can often be seen crossing the roads or dangling from trees.

Lake Nakuru birding safaris

There are two types of flamingo species: the lesser flamingo (shorter and lighter) and the greater flamingo (taller and darker). The lesser flamingos are more commonly pictured in documentaries mainly because their larger numbers. The flamingos feed on algae, created from their droppings into the warm alkaline waters, and plankton. But flamingos are not the only avian attraction; also present are two large fish eating birds, pelicans and cormorants. Despite the tepid and alkaline waters, a diminutive fish, Alcolapia grahami has flourished after being introduced in the early 1960s. The lake is rich in other bird life too. There are over 400 resident species on the lake and in the surrounding park. Thousands of both little grebes and white winged black terns are frequently seen as are stilts, avocets, ducks, and in the European winter the migrant waders.

Where to stay at lake Nakuru national park on Kenya safari

Sarova woodlands

Sarova woodlands is located at -0.28199° S, 36.08918° E in lake Nakuru national park. This lodge gives some of the best scenic views of lake Nakuru and its wildlife wilderness.

Sarova woodlands offers various roos and rates;

Superior rooms starting at $200
Twin rooms starting at $200
Suites starting at $310
Executive suites starting at $350

Lake Nakuru lodge

Lake Nakuru lodge is located at -0.42241° S, 36.12999° E in lake Nakuru national park with ceremonial sceneries of wildlife game while relaxing in the restaurant/ bar area, swimming pool area and sites of the lake.

Lake Nakuru lodge offers numerous rooms/ occupation options and rates starting from $317 such as;

Single rooms
Double/ Twin rooms
Triple/ Family rooms

Sarova lion hill game lodge

Sarova lion hill game lodge is located at -0.34644° S, 36.12165° E in lake Nakuru national park.

Sarova lion hill game lodge offers a range of standard accommodation and rates such as;

Single rooms starting at $468
Double rooms starting at $468
Suites starting from $603
Executive rooms starting from $1,305

Lake Nakuru Sopa lodge

Lake Nakuru Sopa lodge is located at -0.42653° S, 36.05312° E with scenic views over looking lake Nakuru.

Lake Nakuru Sopa lodge has numerous accommodation offers and rates for its guests such as;

Single rooms starting at $249
Double rooms starting at $409
Triple rooms starting at $560
Family suites starting at $615

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Lake Nakuru national park on Kenya safari; Top birders haven and wildlife destination in Africa