Discover the breathtaking beauty of Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya Africa. Explore diverse wildlife, stunning landscapes, and vibrant birdlife in this natural paradise. Lake Nakuru is a prominent and scenic lake located in the central part of Kenya, renowned for its vibrant birdlife, particularly flamingos, and its diverse wildlife. Here’s a detailed guide to Lake Nakuru and its surrounding area:
1. Overview
- Location: Central Kenya, approximately 160 kilometers (100 miles) northwest of Nairobi.
- Size: About 188 square kilometers (73 square miles), though its size can fluctuate due to seasonal changes in water levels.
- Type: It’s a saline lake with alkaline waters.
2. Lake Nakuru National Park Africa
- Designation: Lake Nakuru is situated within Lake Nakuru National Park, which is one of Kenya’s premier wildlife reserves.
- Size: The park covers an area of approximately 188 square kilometers (73 square miles).
3. Wildlife and Birdlife in lake Nakuru Africa
- Flamingos: Lake Nakuru is famous for its large populations of lesser and greater flamingos. The lake’s alkaline waters support large flocks that often cover the lake’s shores in a stunning pink hue.
- Other Birds: Over 400 bird species have been recorded, including pelicans, eagles, and various waders.
- Mammals: The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including:
- Rhinoceros: Both black and white rhinos are found here.
- Lions: Often seen in the park’s grasslands.
- Giraffes: Rothschild’s giraffes are present.
- Buffaloes and Antelopes: Including waterbucks, impalas, and gazelles.
4. Scenic Highlights
- Viewpoints: Several viewpoints around the lake offer spectacular views of the lake and the surrounding landscape. Popular spots include the Baboon Cliff and the Out of Africa viewpoint.
- Lake Shore: The lake’s shores provide picturesque settings, particularly when flocks of flamingos gather.
5. Activities
- Game Drives: Explore the park’s diverse habitats, including woodlands, grasslands, and lake shores, to spot wildlife.
- Bird Watching: Ideal for bird enthusiasts, especially during the migratory seasons when bird numbers peak.
- Hiking: Short nature walks and trails offer opportunities to explore the park’s flora and fauna up close.
6. Accommodation
- Lodges and Camps: Options for accommodation include:
- Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge: Offers luxury lodgings with views of the lake.
- Lake Nakuru Lodge: Provides a comfortable stay with easy access to game viewing.
- Budget Campsites: Available for those seeking more affordable or adventurous lodging options.
7. Conservation and Management
- Conservation Efforts: Lake Nakuru National Park is involved in various conservation initiatives to protect its unique ecosystems and wildlife, including anti-poaching measures and habitat management.
- Community Involvement: Local communities are engaged in conservation efforts and benefit from eco-tourism.
8. Lake Nakuru Africa Travel Tips
- Access: Lake Nakuru is accessible by road from Nairobi (approximately 2.5 to 3 hours) or by scheduled flights to a nearby airstrip.
- Best Time to Visit: The dry season (June to October) is excellent for wildlife viewing as animals gather around water sources. However, bird watching is great year-round, with peak flamingo numbers typically from July to March.
- What to Bring: Light clothing for daytime, warmer layers for cooler evenings, binoculars, a camera, and sunscreen.
9. Health and Safety
- Health Precautions: Ensure you have malaria prophylaxis and check for any other required vaccinations before traveling.
- Park Regulations: Follow park rules to ensure safety and preserve the natural environment.
Lake Nakuru and its national park provide a rich blend of birdwatching opportunities, wildlife encounters, and stunning landscapes, making it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and safari-goers in Kenya.
Itinerary
Day 1 :
Nairobi - Masai Mara
This morning we pick up clients from their hotel and we depart from Nairobi at 8.30 am and drive through the view point of the Great Rift Valley to the Masai Mara National Reserve. This enormous reserve is actually part of the vast Serengeti plains famously known for its spectacular great wildebeest’s migration and is home of the Big Five: Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo and Rhino. Lunch at the Lodge/camp and relax before departing for the afternoon game drive. The Mara Game Reserve one of the greatest wildernesses of the world. Large mammals are varied, and easy to see. The wild animals found in the Park's are: Masai Giraffe, Buffalo, Eland and thousands of plain game including Impala, Zebra, both Thomson's and grants Gazelles, Diner & overnight at MARA SOPA LODGE
Day 2 :
Masai Mara full day
Full day spent for viewing the great predators and explore the parks amazingly high concentration of wild animals. On the plains are enormous herds of grazing animals plus the elusive Cheetah and leopard hiding amidst acacia boughs. During the stay we also have an optional opportunity to visit a village of the Masai people to witness the singing and dancing that are part of their daily lives and sacred rituals. A glimpse into their homes and social structure is a poignant experience. Dinner and overnight at the
MARA SOPA LODGE
Day 3 :
Masi Mara - Lake Nakuru
Early morning game drive. Then return to the camp for the breakfast and depart for lake Nakuru National park located in the Great Rift Valley. After lunch an exciting game drive until 6.30 in the evening. The Park is a home to stunning flocks of lesser and Greater Flamingos, which literally turn the lakeshores in to a magnificent pink stretch. The bird life here is world renown and over 400 bird’s species exist here, White Pelicans, Plovers, Egrets and Marabou Stork. It is also one of the very few places in Africa to see the White and Black Rhino and rare Rothschild Giraffe. Dinner and overnight at the
LAKE NAKURU LODGE
Day 4 :
Lake Nakuru - Samburu
After breakfast we depart from Lake Nakuru at 8.30 am and we travel by road to Kenya’s Northern Frontier District. Wild and rugged, Samburu is fiercely beautiful with its arid savannahs watered by the lovely Uaso Nyiro River. It is also one of Kenya’s most protected areas and home to species only found north of the equator, from the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebras, Beisa oryxes, Gerenuk gazelle and Greater and lesser kudu. Diner & Ovenight at
SAROVA SHABA LODGE
Day 5 :
Samburu Reserve full day
Full day in Samburu national park. Get good opportunity to watch the elephants, lions, leopards, and cheetahs that thrive in the reserve’s grasslands and acacia woodlands. And so the day is spent in alternating pursuits of exploration in the bush. Dinner and overnight at SAROVA SHABA LODGE
Day 6 :
Samburu Reserve - Aberdares national park
We enjoy an early morning game drive and return to the lodge or camp for breakfast and then we depart by road to Aberdare National park. We have lunch en route. The rest of your afternoon is at leisure. The Aberdare National parks are an isolated volcanic range that forms the eastern wall of the rift valley, running roughly 100km north south between Nairobi and Thomsons Falls. Soils are red and of volcanic origin, but rich in organic matter. There are two main peaks, Ol Donyo Lesatima (3,999m) and Kinangop (3,906m) separated by a long saddle of alpine moorland at over 3,000m. The topography is diverse with deep ravines that cut through the forested eastern and western slopes and there are many clear streams and waterfalls. The unusual vegetation, rugged terrain, streams and waterfalls combine to create an area of great scenic beauty in the National Park. The park is surrounded by a predominantly indigenous forest. Spend the rest of the afternoon watching wild life at the flood lit Saltlick Water hole. Dinner and overnight at
THE ARK LODGE or TREETOPS LODGE.
Day 7 :
Aberdares - Nairobi
After the morning breakfast we depart to Nairobi arriving in the mid-afternoon.
