Lake Nakuru is a major National Park and an important sanctuary for Black and White Rhino. It is also famous for its huge population of flamingos. Providing visitors with one of Kenya’s best known images. Many thousands of flamingo, join into a massive flock. And fringe the shores of one of the Great Rift Valley’s most famous soda lakes. A pulsing pink swathe of life that carpets the water, the flamingo is a breathtaking sight.
Lake Nakuru flamingos
The lake has become world famous for these birds. Who visit the lake to feed on algae that form on the lake bed. They move back and forth. Feeding and spectacularly taking to flight. Filling the sky over the lake with color.
When there are high levels of rain; the alkalinity decreases. Therefore, there is less algae, and a lot of the flamingo move to other lakes. This means the best time to see the flamingos at Lake Nakuru is usually during the dry and hot months (January and February). There is, though, no guarantee that you will see an enormous number of flamingos.
Even if there are fewer flamingos present, the park has many other types of wildlife. That will ensure you have an exhilarating safari.
Additionally; exploring beyond the lake is always rewarding and there are forests, cliffs, waterfalls, and more to be found here.
Lake Nakuru National Park is approximately 188 sq km and is about 160km north of Nairobi.
Lake Nakuru safari
Nakuru has more than just flamingos. This is a major National Park and an important sanctuary for Rhino. Both Black and White rhinos are found here and are often seen resting under acacias by the lake shore.
The park abounds with wildlife as it is surrounded by wooded areas and grasslands. There are huge herds of waterbuck, zebra, buffalo, the endangered Rothschild Giraffe, and more. This is one of your best chances of seeing Leopard in Kenya, and there are several large lion pride.
Migratory birds begin to arrive in October and remain in the area until April boosting the bird species found in the Park to around 450! This makes it ideal for birding enthusiasts.
A safari in Lake Nakuru National Park is good; if you haven’t already been to other more well known parks like the Masai Mara; nothing can top the Great Migration!
Flamingo and rhino at the lake
Best time to visit
The long dry season is from June until February with very little rain, especially in January and February. Consequently; there is very little water for the wildlife so they can be spotted congregating wherever a water source is found. As there is little water/rain; there are fewer mosquitoes present.
The rainy season begins in late March and lasts through to June but it rarely rains for long. It does however mean it is the greenest time of year to visit. This is the season for the wildlife to give birth so expect to see foals and calves.
