Lake Nakuru National Park is renowned as a bird sanctuary with over 400 bird species, including huge flocks of flamingos and many other water birds. It is an excellent park for wildlife spotting and is home to many water-loving animals such as hippos and water bucks.
Lake Nakuru is a large, shallow lake surrounded by marshes, woodland and grassland. There are some rocky outcrops and the largest euphorbia forest in Africa on the eastern side.
The lake is fed by three main rivers; the Njoro, the Makalia and the Enderit rivers, as well as several springs. The park has very good roads and some excellent viewpoints overlooking the lake from Baboon Cliff and Lion Hill.
The lake supports the blue-green Cyanophyte Spirulina Platensis, which is the main food source for the brilliant pink flamingos that can be found wading on the lake’s edge. At times, there can be up to two million greater and lesser flamingos and tens of thousands of other birds.
Food conditions change periodically, and the number of birds fluctuates at times so, if possible, you should check with us before making a long journey to view the birds. It is also a good idea to carry a spotter’s guide to identify the many animals and Kenya birds you will see here.
Lake Nakuru National Park also offers sanctuary to huge numbers of native African animals including water bucks, warthogs, impalas, buffalo, Rothschild giraffes, elands, endangered black rhinos, white rhinos and, occasionally, leopards. A large herd of hippos have a territory in the northern part of the lake, making for interesting game viewing.
What to do and see
Bird watching: Enjoy the fabulous water birds and other bird species. The best place to view the birds is from Baboon Cliff, where you get an excellent view over the lake, and the wonderful spectacle of pink flamingos along its edge.
However, the number of birds in the park fluctuates as food conditions change, so check the bird population with the national park before making the journey.
Game viewing: See the endangered white rhinos and other animals including water bucks, warthogs, hippos, impalas, buffalo, Rothschild giraffes and more.
Drive through the unique vegetation and the biggest euphorbia forest in Africa.
Viewpoints include Lion Hill, Baboon Cliff and Out of Africa.
Visit the beautiful waterfall at Makalia.
Best time to visit Lake Nakuru Park
The best months to visit are June to September and January to March. However the rainy seasons are generally not as wet as other areas and the roads are good year-round
Lake Nakuru National Park accommodation
Guest houses: Naisha Guest Houses
Lodges and Hotels: Lake Nakuru Lodge, Sarova Lion Hill Lodge, and Merica Hotel.
Bandas: Naisha Banda
Special Campsites: Naishi, Chui, Rhino, Soysambu, Nyati, Nyuki and Reed buck. You can also stay at Crater Lake Lodge Naivasha, which is one of Kenya’s best tent camps and is only about 30km (19miles) from Lake Nakuru
Public Campsites: Makalia and Back packers
If you like, you can combine your Lake Nakuru holiday adventure with tours to Lake Naivasha, the cleanest lake in the Great Rift Valley, or with a visit to Lake Elmentaita. There you can elect to stay at the Lake Elementaita Lodge which is just 30km from Lake Nakuru.
If you love nature, serenity and scenic retreats while enjoying the views of the Great Rift Valley, then Lake Naivasha Country Club, Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge, Naivasha Simba Lodge are great places to stay outside of Lake Nakuru. .
On the shores of Lake Naivasha is Loldia House, a plush, ancient house built during the Second World War. Loldia House offers breath-taking views of the dormant volcano in Mount Longonot, is a great place to stay and only a short drive from Lake Nakuru National Park.