Lake Nakuru National Park adventure

Nakuru flamingos and Warthog

Located close to Nakuru town, was established in 1961. Lies Northwest of Nairobi city, 164km, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 1t started as a small reserving Lake Nakuru and close mountainous parts, but later expanded to greater savannas. The park lies along the rift valley Nakuru County. It covers over 188sqkm, and was designated a Rhino Sanctuary in 1993. It’s famous for over 45 black rhinos and 31 white rhinos and over 1.5million flamingos. The park has many species of mammals and birds that have attracted people for a long time. The park’s amazing creatures will give you a beautiful memory.

How to get to the Lake Nakuru National Park

The park can be accessed by road transport or air transport.

Road transport, use self- drive or public means, it’s a fine road to the park, from Nairobi, its 164km to the park through its main entrance, that’s commonly used. From town, its only 4km to the park. To Lanet entrance, one can also use Nairobi Nakuru road. Nderit entrance is only used by visitors from Masai Mara National Park

Air transport, inside the park there’s Naishi airstrip that’s commonly used by Kenya Wildlife Services. Park can be accessed on foot. It’s open from 6am to 6pm, even on public holidays.

Best time to visit the Lake Nakuru National Park

The park is open all times of the year and enjoyable throughout, although the dry season registers more excitement compared to the wet season especially towards its end. An elaboration of the status of the part in different seasons will give you a clear picture and better planning of your trip.

Dry Season (June-February)

The season is characterized of sunny weather. It barely rains or gets dry during this season. The weather is conducive to both wild life and human.

Animals are easily spotted in the park, the grass is normally short and these creatures are easily traceable. Animals can be seen alongside the lake as they come for a drink. This gives tourists clear views of these animals.

The dry season is the high season of the park, so most times it gets crowded in the park and even places of accommodation. Therefore, tourists are advised to do early booking to avoid disappointments.   

Wet Season (March- May)

The period is characterized of short and long rains, and heavy rains towards the late months of the season.

The best views of the park can be seen during this season. The park is at its best, vegetation all green, flowers, it’s so beautiful.

The park is less crowed since it’s a low season and in most cases, the rates are discounted hence tourists can save something.

The rains don’t affect wild life and the fact that the park is fenced, they can’t move out. They can still be seen although with more effort due to rains. It’s still in the wet season that most species of mammals give birth. You can get a chance to see this.

The early stages of the season is the peak of bird watching. The park is visited by migratory birds during this time.

April and May months need to be avoided for the rains can affect most of the activities in the park.

Things to park when traveling to Lake Nakuru National Park

Amongst the normal things you would like to take, please include a camera, a hat, sunglasses, binoculars, among others.

What to do Lake Nakuru National Park Safari

There so many activities that can be done in the park. We know may be you might not have time for all of them, a reason we considered and highlighted the most enjoyable activities in the park.

Nakuru Black Rhinoceros

Game drives and Game viewing
This is one of the highlight of the park. The park has vast wildlife, commonly known for the white and black rhinos. There other wild animals in the place. The likes of buffaloes, lions, leopards, cheetahs, baboons, among others. Game drives are done commonly during day.

Bird Watching
The park’s most common birds are flamingoes. These can be seen at Lake Nakuru National park, there other birds in the area. Over 450 species can be seen. The wet season is a peak period of bird.

Boat Rides
These are enjoyed on the famous Lake Nakuru. These are enjoyed during day, under the moderate sun, you need to go with a camera and catch views of birds and wildlife as you enjoy your ride.

Nature Walks
Tourists enjoy guided walk safaris around the park, explore the park’s vegetation as they catch a glimpse of wildlife, and birds, lake, and inactive volcanoes. Walks beyond the park are also enjoyed.

Top attractions to see on a trip to Lake Nakuru National Park

The park is a pleasant place to visit for the breathtaking features it possesses. The attractions of the park are many but the must-sees of the place are as below. As you plan to visit the park, put these on top of your list.

Makalia Falls
The falls are located in the park and they are at their best in the wet season when rains are heavy. It’s only in the dry season that they lose waters but better still it’s a place worth a visit. Close to these falls is a wilderness in a making and a place once touring.

Baboon Cliffs
This is a perfect view point of the park and Lake Nakuru. It’s a paradise for baboons of the area. The best time to check out the place is in the morning hours when the baboons haven’t taken our control. They enjoy food and once the find you, they will want food to go away. It’s a wonderful place to have a picnic.

Menegai Crater
The park has part of its parts that are mountainous and even volcanoes in particular. In the park lies this dormant and dull looking crater lies in the North of Nakuru Town. You will see crusts of solified black lava, and look into the chasm of the crater pit with in the volcanic cone.

Wildlife
Animals are one of the attractions that the park has in plenty. Remarkable to mention are the rhinos. The park is also commonly known as a rhino sanctuary. On game drives, watch out for the likes of white and black rhinos, hippos, buffalos, waterbucks, Rothschild, impalas, giraffes, lions leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, golden cats, warthogs, baboons, colobus monkeys, rock hyrax, and python, among others. These are mostly watched in the dry season when they roam the park in search for pasture and water. The best views are seen when they storm water bodies to have a drink.

Birds
The park is a home for sea birds and other birds. It has over 450 species of birds. The likes of Flamingos, these are the highlight of the park African fish eagle. Pied Kingfisher, Verreaux’s eagle, Goliath heron, hamerkop, white headed vulture, lappet faced vulture, brown backed scrub robin, grey headed woodpecker, Northern puff back, Kenya Rufous Sparrow, imperial eagle, sooty falcon, black winged lapwing, imperial eagle, long tailed widow bird, greater spotted eagle, broad ringed white eye, crab plover, black tailed godwit, arrow marked babbler, Western reef heron, great snipe, Rupell’s griffon Vulture, Speke’s weaver, Rufous necked wryneck, and European roller among others. These can be watched clearly with the help of binoculars, especially in the wet season when they are joined by migratory birds from Europe.

Lake Nakuru National Park Aerial view
Lake Nakuru National Park Aerial view

Lake Nakuru
The lake occupies 27% of the Park’s land. It’s an alkaline lake that has no outlets. There was a time when it lost water level, but now it’s back on truck. This amazing lake is a landing ground for the beautiful flamingoes. The lake possesses its feeds. Spend some time on this lake, if possible take a boat drive and explore beyond it.

Where to stay in the park – Accommodation

There quite a wide range of accommodation places in the park. From campsites, guest houses, lodges and hotels, as well as bandas, to accommodation tourists of different status.

Campsites

These are very affordable and clean. They have tents for accommodation, have private bathrooms, and are located within the park. Tourists enjoy views of the park and wildlife experience. They are: Baboon Cliff, Rhino Campsite, Pelican Picnic site, Flamingo Camp, Reedbuck Campsite, Chui Campsite, Acacia Picnic site, and Kambi Nyati Campsite. These offer tourists all activities in the park.

Guest Houses:

Naishi Guest House.

Has accommodation for 8 guests, its located in the center of the park, offers activities to tourists and relaxing accommodation.

Hotels and Lodges

Lake Nakuru Lodge

Located in the park, it offers wonderful luxury services to tourists, visitors enjoy wonderful views of Lake Nakuru, wildlife, birds, wide range of facilities and activities.

Savora Lion Hill Game Lodge

Located 9km from Nakuru trading center, the lodge lies in the park, visitors enjoy beautiful views of Lake Nakuru. It offers luxurious customized service.

Bandas: Naishi Banda

In conclusion, one of the best moments in your life will be a visit to this park if you consider taking a trip to Kenya. It can even get better if you also create time to see the places nearby like Lake Naivasha the cleanest lake in the Great Rift Valley.