LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK:-Nakuru Hotels/Accommodation
Lake Nakuru Park dates back to 1961 when the southern park of the lake was gazetted as a bird to protect the "greatest
bird (ornithological) spectacle on earth", for the future generations.
In 1964, the whole of the lake was declared a bird sanctuary.
in 1968, the lake Nakuru shores were added into the sanctuary and
the whole area was upgraded to a National Park. In 1974 a northern extension
was added to the park increasing its area to the
current 188 Km2. In 1990 Lake Nakuru was
designated a Ramsar site- a signatory of the Ramsar
convention, for protection of wetlands of international importance.
The foundation of the Lake Nakuru park food chains is the cyanophyte
Spirulina platensis which can support huge numbers of lesser
flamingo. Lake Nakuru
National Park is managed by
KWS on behalf of the Kenya government.
Area: Lake Nakuru is the only fully fenced park in Kenya
with an area of 188Km²
Lake Nakuru Safaris:
We have several proposals for guests wishing to visit lake Nakuru.
All the safari commence from Nairobi. Though Lake Nakuru can be
visited within a day, it is best combined with nearby attractions-Mt
Kenya, Maasai Mara and other Rift Valley Lakes like Bogoria and
Baringo. Below are some of our famous safaris featuring Lake Nakuru.
Getting there: There are several ways of getting
into Lake Nakuru Park. Driving is
number one option for many sightseers. It will take you
approximately 2.5 Hrs-3 Hrs to drive from Nairobi to Nakuru(157Km). One can fly
from Wilson to Lake
Nakuru's Naishi Airstrip. See the above above for getting to
Lake Nakuru.
The
Park
is famous for its bird spectacle featuring over a million
flamingoes, over 400 migratory bird species from around the world
and large flotillas of pelicans.
Two species of flamingoes exists in the lake Nakuru National Park-
the lesser flamingo with deep red carmine bill and the greater
flamingo with black tip. The flamingos feed on Blue green algae,
created from their droppings mixing in the warm alkaline waters, and
planktons.
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Flamingoes &
Birds:- The Park is the home to over a million
flamingoes. Fleets of Lesser and Greater Flamingoes line
the shores of the lake giving it a pinkish
appearance. Besides flamingoes, Nakuru is home to other
water birds including a variety of terrestrial birds numbering
about 450 species in total.
-
Mammals: 56
different species of mammals have been identified including black and white rhinos, Rothschild's giraffes, cape
buffaloes, Deffassa waterbucks, Thomson's and grant’s gazelles,
impalas, lions, leopards, warthogs, olive baboons, black backed
jackal, reedbucks, dik diks, elands,
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View-points:
Lion hill, Baboon cliff and Out of Africa provide vintage views
of the lake and the surrounding National Park.
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Hills: Lake
Nakuru has several hills including Enasoit, Honeymoon and Lion
hill.
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Waterfalls:
Makalia
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Unique vegetation:
About 550 different plant species have been identified.
The park boasts of the largest
Euphorbia cnadlebrum forest in Africa, Picturesque landscape
and yellow acacia woodland.
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Bahrain springs,
the only permanent water source of Lake Nakuru Park.
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Rivers Makhalia and
Nderit are dry most of the time due to deforestation in Mau.
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Reptiles:
A large number of reptiles inhabits the parks including
the python and tortoise.
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The spectacular
scenery of the Riftvalley.
Lake Nakuru Rhino
Sanctuary:- The Rhino Sanctuary was established
1984. In 1986 a solar powered electric was
installed by Rhino Rescue Trust. The Rhino Sanctuary began with the
translocation of two adult males, one from Kitengala and the
other from Lewa Downs.
Today the rhino population stands at 60 Black Rhinos and 40
White Rhinos. The main challenges of lake Nakuru as a
conservation site are a large population, deforestation of the
catchments, siltation and pollution.
Other Activities while in Nakuru-What see and do:
Besides the National park and the Rhino Sanctuary, other attractions
to visit while in Nakuru include,
-
Hyrax
Hill Acheological site & Museum: Hyrax Hill Archeological
site has both stone age and neolithic exhibits. The sites
dates back 3000 years ago. Within the site is an
ethnographic museum exhibiting artefacts of the inhabitants of
Riftvalley including the stone tools.
-
Menengai Crater:
This is the highest point within Nakuru and from here you have
panoramic views of Lakes Nakuru, Naivasha and Bogoria.
FACILITIES
The park
is served by two lodges and a number of bandas and campsites.
Accommodation is also available in hotels within Nakuru town.
In all your
African Safaris, an overnight within the park gives you the best of
the wildlife experience. Our recommendation is to always spend the
night inside the park. In Lake Nakuru National Park,
accommodation facilities include tented camps, wildlife lodges and
public campsites. The following lodges are found inside the
park.
The only tented camp
inside the park is
Flamingo Hill Tented Camp, There are 25 en-suite tents
with WC and flush toilets,
writing desk, hot water and a balcony. They also have
conference and laundry facilities.
Hotel Accommodation in Nakuru Town
Nakuru town has hotels to
cater for all classes of travellers ranging from Budget to mid range
properties. The following are hotels within town
-
Midland Hotel
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Hotel Genevieve
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Pivot Hotel
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Eros Guest House
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Stem Hotel
Bandas in Lake Nakuru:
Naishi banda; Rhino banda; Chui banda; Reedbuck banda; KWS Isikon
banda; Nyuki banda; Soysambu banda; Makalia Falls banda; KWS Guest
House; WCK Education Centre & KWS Education Centre bandas.
Lake Nakuru Campsites/ Camping
Enjoro campsite at the main gate.
Picnic sites in the park:
Makalia Falls, Enjoro River Mouth near the main gate, Baharini,
Acacia, Baboon Cliff, Out of Africa, Lion Hill Summit.
Lake Nakuru park gates: Main Gate, Lanet and
Nderit.
Conservation Status:
The main challenges of existence of Lake Nakuru Park as a
bird spectacle are threefold-the pollution of the lake from domestic
and industrial wastes from Nakuru town, the decreasing level of the
lake and the large mammal population which tends to interfere with
the lakeshore breeding grounds of birds. In addition to these
two is the fact that the park is completely fenced hence animals
cannot freely migrate in and out of the sanctuary. Equally
significance is the absence of the elephants which has resulted in
some parts of the being heavily forested and hence not ideal for
game watching.
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