Lake Nakuru & Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru is a small, shallow, alkaline-saline lake located in Nakuru town in the Great Rift Valley. The lake is surrounded by Lake Nakuru National Park. The park lies 4 km from Nakuru town.

Nakuru town is a rapidly growing local centre of industry and agriculture. The park is the second most visited park in Kenya and a favourite destination for ornithologists.

Like Nairobi National Park, the park is very accessible since Nakuru is a 2-hour drive from Nairobi (about 160 km north of Nairobi). There is an airstrip in the town that charter flights can use.

One can access Nakuru from Nairobi by bus or private transport. The highway to Nakuru passes through Naivasha, Gilgil and Elementaita. The park is only accessible by private transport.

Lake Nakuru is world famous for both lesser and greater flamingos. Its spectacular bird fauna comprises more than 495 species. Animals that can be found in the National Park and around the lake include hippos, reedbucks, giraffes and the endangered Rothschild giraffes.

There are also huge herds of waterbucks, zebras, buffalos and bushbucks. You will have your best chances of seeing a leopard in Kenya around this park. There are several large prides of lions as well.

The National Park is an important sanctuary for Rhino. Both black and white rhinos can be found here.

You can see them resting under acacias by the Lakeshore. There are large pythons inhabiting the dense woodland, dangling from the trees or crossing the roads.

The lake varies in size from 5 sq kms during the dry season to 30 sq kms during the wet season.

Accommodation can be at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge and Lake Nakuru Lodge, which are right inside the park. In addition, there are many hotels in Nakuru town.