Attractions in Lake Nakuru National Park
Attractions in Lake Nakuru National Park: Lake Nakuru National Park is known as a bird lover’s hub because of the numerous bird species that live in the park, most famously the flamingos that live on the lake. When people hear about Lake Nakuru National Park, they often think of flamingos and birds first; however, the park offers many more attractions than can be listed here, and we will discuss some major highlights that you can enjoy during your Kenya safari trip to the park.
Flamingos: Lake Nakuru being highly saline, its alkalinity supports the growth of a great amount of blue-green algae, which algae is food to the flamingos. Millions of flamingos stay on this lake, making the lake look pink almost all the time; hence the nickname “Pink Lake,” because the flamingos are the most prominent creatures on the lake. The flamingos are the most famous attraction of Lake Nakuru National park and it’s one thing tourists are excited to see on their visit to the park; it is estimated that at a given time lake Nakuru can host over a million flamingos, meaning you can never miss seeing them on your visit. The flamingos on Lake Nakuru are of both the lesser and greater types, with the lesser type tending to be more than the greater. The greater flamingos have a black streak at their beak tip, while the lesser flamingos have a kind of extended black shade all over their beak, and that’s their main differentiating feature; the greater flamingos also have a fainter pink shade, while the lesser flamingos have a darker pink shade; most of the other features are similar.
To continue to preserve this bird population on the lake, boat rides on the lake are prohibited; this is to reduce chances of polluting the lake, which pollution will directly affect the livelihood of the birds on the lake. So to view these birds, there are several magnificent viewpoints in the park where you can sit and watch the birds; you can also watch the birds from the lake shores or even from the comfort of your Kenya safari car. The park is also home to over 400 other species of birds, so you can also view these other birds together with the flamingos.
Lake Nakuru: Lake Nakuru, from which the park gets its name, is one of the many soda lakes in the great Kenyan rift valley that is characterized by deep blue alkaline waters and a refreshing breeze. The lake, together with the flamingos, is the most pronounced feature of the park. The lake is the habitat for the flamingos and other birds as well as several water mammals. There are no boat rides on this lake but you can stand on the shores and enjoy the cool breeze of the lake and watch the birds and the water mammals as well as the surrounding flora.
Wildlife: Lake Nakuru National Park is home to over 50 mammal species that include both water mammals and land mammals. The most common water mammals on the lake are hippos and waterbucks but you can find other species as well. The land mammals in the park include, but are not limited to lions, rhinos, buffalo, leopards, giraffes, monkeys, warthogs, cheetahs, hyenas, wildebeest, black-and-white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys and olive baboons, among others. Other animal species you will find in this park are pythons that stay in the park’s woodlands. All these animals and many more can be viewed throughout the year in the park. The park’s well-developed road network ensures that you won’t miss any animals during your visit, and because the park is fenced, you are sure to see these animals whenever you come.
Rhinos: Lake Nakuru National park is home to the largest population of rhinos (black and white) in Kenya and East Africa. The park is a rhino sanctuary and currently hosts over 100 Rhinos distributed between the white and black rhino species. To protect these rhinos, the park is fenced with a 188 km² electric fence that prevents poachers from coming into the park. This sanctuary also hosts the rare Rothschild giraffes, and this park is the only place you can find them.
Ridge viewpoints: Lake Nakuru National Park has a unique hilly landscape that not only adds to the beauty of the park but also makes spectacular ridge viewpoints, which give you vantage viewing opportunities for animals and birds as well as other spots in the park and even Nakuru town. All these viewpoints are elevated so you’re assured of the best viewing up there. The most prominent points in the park are Baboon Cliff, Lion Hill and Out of Africa and they are all scenic in their own right; you will not be disappointed at any of them.
Waterfalls: Most people don’t know about the Makalia waterfalls in Lake Nakuru National Park because unless it’s recommended to you, you can easily miss it; some people call it the secret beauty of the park. Makalia Falls is a small fall, but it is still uniquely beautiful, with a refreshing and relaxing feel from the flowing waters and the blowing water breeze.
This fall is one spot you don’t want to miss when you visit Lake Nakuru National Park on a Kenya Safari.
