Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru is a very shallow strongly alkaline lake 62 sq km in extent. It is set in a picturesque landscape of surrounding woodland and grassland next to Nakuru town. The landscape includes areas of marsh and grasslands alternating with rocky cliffs and outcrops, stretches of acacia woodland and rocky hillsides covered with a Euphorbia forest on the eastern perimeter.

The lake catchment is bounded by Menengai Crater which is billed as the second biggest crater in the world to the north, the Bahati Hills to the north east, the Lion Hill ranges to the east, Eburu Crater to the south and the Mau Escarpment to the west. Three major rivers, the Njoro, Makalia and Enderit drain into the lake, together with the outflow from several springs along the shore.

Lake Nakuru National park, the jewel in the crown of Kenya’s national parks, is renowned as a “Bird watcher’s paradise” famous for the 1.5 million flamingos, a successful rhino sanctuary and Ramsar site. The park also boasts of hosting over 300 species of plants, 450species of birds and 50 species of mammals.

The water birds, especially the flamingo and pelicans, congregate along the lake shores in their thousand creating a mass of pink and white.

The park has an array of large mammals including large herds of buffalo, impala, zebra, and the rare white rhino and Baringo giraffe, which are easily seen during a game drive. Lions and leopards can also be found here but you require a lot of patience to see these.

Location:
Central Kenya, 140km north-west of Nairobi, in Nakuru District of the Rift Valley Province. It covers an area of 188 sq km.

Climate:
Ranges from Cold, Hot and Humid, Hot and Dry. Annual rainfall is 965mm

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 network that makes most parts of the park accessible.

Park Gates:
The Park has three gates, Main Gate and Lanet Gate that link the park with the Nairobi-Nakuru highway and the less used Nderit Gate.

MAJOR 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.
• 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 yellow acacia woodlands.

FACILITIES
Bandas:
Naishi Banda, Rhino Banda, Chui Banda, Reedbuck Banda, KWS Isikon Banda, Nyuki Banda, Soysambu Banda, Makalia Falls Banda, KWS Guest House, WCK Education Centre & KWS Education Centre bandas.

Lodges:
Lake Nakuru lodge & Sarova Lion Hill Lodge.

Campsites:
Enjoro campsite.

Picnic sites:
Makalia Falls Enjoro River Mouth near the main gate, Baharini, Acacia, Baboon Cliff, Out of Africa, Lion Hill Summit.

ACTIVITIES
Game viewing, bird watching.