LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK:
Lake Nakuru National Park
was 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 Lake Nakuru National Park increasing its area to the
current 188 Km2. In 1990 Lake Nakuru National Park 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 188Km˛
Location &
Distance from Nairobi:
Lake Nakuru is 157 Km. Lake Nakuru National Park lies between
longitude 36°05’ E and Latitude 0°24’ S.
Lake Nakuru Safaris:
We have several proposals for guests wishing to visit lake Nakuru.
All the safari commence from Nairobi.
Getting there: There are several ways of getting
into Lake Nakuru National Park. Driving to Lake Nakuru is
number one option for many sightseers. One can fly to Lake
Nakuru Naishi Airstrip.
Lake Nakuru National 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:- Lake Nakuru national Park is the home to over
a million flamingoes. Fleets of Lesser and Greater
Flamingoes line the shores of Lake Nakuru giving it a pinkish
appearance. Besides flamingoes, Lake Nakuru is home to other
water birds including a variety of terrestrial birds numbering
about 450 species in total.
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Mammals: 56
different species of mammals have been identified in Lake Nakuru
National Park, 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 lake Nakuru 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 are found in Lake Nakuru
National Park. Lake Nakuru boasts of the largest
Euphorbia cnadlebrum forest in Africa, Picturesque landscape
and yellow acacia woodland.
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Bahrain springs
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Reptiles:
A large number of reptiles inhabit Lake Nakuru including
the python and tortoise.
Lake Nakuru Rhino
Sanctuary:-In 1984, Lake Nakuru was established as a
Government managed Rhino Sanctuary. In 1986 a solar
powered electric was installed by Rhino Rescue Trust.
Lake Nakuru 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
catchment, siltation and pollution.
FACILITIES
Lake Nakuru National Park
is served by two lodges and a number of bandas and campsites
Bandas in Lake Nakuru National Park:
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.
Lodges in Lake Nakuru National Park:
Campsites in Lake Nakuru National Park:
Enjoro campsite.
Picnic sites in Lake Nakuru National Park:
Makalia Falls Enjoro River Mouth near the main gate, Baharini,
Acacia, Baboon Cliff, Out of Africa, Lion Hill Summit.
ACTIVITIES IN LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
Lake Nakuru offers one a variety of activities. Besides game
viewing, in Lake Nakuru there exists unrivalled bird watching
experience, picnics and photography opportunities.
Lake Nakuru park gates: Main Gate, Lanet and
Nderit.
Conservation Status:
The main challenges of existence of Lake Nakuru National 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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