Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru National Park is considered to be 188 square kilometers in area. The park is situated in the inner part of the great rift valley situated within Kenya. In the middle lies the small, alkaline, Lake Nakuru. It is famous not only for its beautiful landscapes but also for its rich wildlife resources. The wetlands, cliff shores, and the surrounding acacia vegetation support a great biodiversity of animals. One of the major selling points in Lake Nakuru that is readily reachable.
Great Rift Valley Lakes
Lake Nakuru National Park is dominated by a gentle undulating terrain. However, it has an open bush and woodlands, typical of the dry rift valley vegetation. 27% of the park is composed of Lake Nakuru waters.
It lies in the volcanic-strewn Great Rift Valley. Lake Nakuru, is one of the chain of 8 lakes, these are L.Turkana, L.Baringo , L.Bogoria, L.Nakuru, L.Elementaita, L.Naivasha, L.Magadi, L.Natron which stretch the length of Kenya, Tanzania to Ethiopia.
Rhino Sanctuary
The Park was declared a Rhino Sanctuary in 1983. The Rhino stocking programme which ensued and received white rhinos from South Africa. Currently the sanctuary has approximately 45 black and 31 white rhinoceros. Additionally, it is also a sanctuary for the Rothschild’s Giraffe.
The Birding Haven
The birding activities in Lake Nakuru are also famous around the world. They include the great number of flamingos that used to coat the Shores of the lake. Above all, over the year, there are many visitors that come to the lake despite the scarce number of flamingos. This is as a result of the ever changing water level. There is a long list of diverse species that tufted this place over the years. Amongst them, crane, australis fish eagle, pelican, cormorant, heron to mention a few to a bird lover. The rich varieties of birds explain why Lake Nakuru is among the sites that have been echoed the most for bird tours in Kenya.
The lake water is highly saline, consequently supporting a habitat rich in bio diversity including a variety of aquatic flora and fauna. The millions of flamingos hence giving them the name “pink lake” while the terrestrial part of the park supports a large number of other African plain mammals.