Lake Nakuru National Park; The Pride of County 032

Lake Nakuru National Park is a beautiful park that is famous for its numerous bird population and a wild game destination. It is majorly known as the bird lover’s hub. About 400 species of birds, flamingoes being the main and over 50 mammal species and over 50 species of flora. The park is situated approximately 164km from Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. It has one of the Rift Valley Soda Lakes i.e. Lake Nakuru.

The park is found on the floor of Rift Valley and it is surrounded by wooded and bushy grassland. The varied habitats that range from Lake Nakuru itself to the surrounding escarpment and the wide ecological diversity make the national park serene and beautiful. Warthogs, baboons, zebras, impalas, gazelles, and white and black rhinos are among some of the animals found in the park, and birds like Greater flamingoes, White pelicans, Hottentot teal, robin- chat, Fish Eagle, long-tailed widow bird, montane white-eye among others.

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Activities to do in Lake Nakuru National Park

1. Game viewing

Game safari is a must-experience when it comes to a visit to Lake Nakuru National Park. For all explorers and nature lovers, there are over 50 mammal species to be seen here. Some of the animals you might come across include Rothschild giraffes, buffalos, baboons, impalas, waterbucks, hippos, lions, spotted hyenas, and leopards among others. This should be on your bucket list in case you have not tried but the experience is definitely worth it one you will live to remember. Tour guides will guide you on the prices and the places to see the animals and the strategy to see as many animals as possible.

2. Camping

Camping is one of the best and most fun activities for those who dare. Some animals even come so close to the tent giving a better view and experience. Sleeping under the sky in a forest to experience the beautiful nature firsthand in the wild is great, but for those that are brave enough to try.

This national park offers a variety of places for camping, with many unique camping sites. Here is a list

1. Nakuru tented camp
2. Flamingo Hill tented camp
3. Lakira camp
4. Enjoro camping site
5. Makalia falls campsite
6. Rhino campsite

3. Bird watching

It is known as the bird lover’s hub making it to be one of the best places for bird watching. The flamingoes are the most common in the lake because the lake is abundant with blue-green algae making it a good environment for flamingoes. It is home to over 400 species of birds and some of the rarest birds in Africa including the Grey crowned crane, Greater Flamingo, Hornbills, Great white pelican among others. The flamingoes line the shore and make the lake look pink, at night it looks like a pink blanket covering the river. The cool breeze as you watch the flamingoes is an experience you cannot miss.

 

4. Picnicking

There are several spots for picnicking in Lake Nakuru National Park. One can picnic at Lake Nakuru National Park at any time they want in the year. It is however most advisable to picnic during the dry season for a smooth and more interesting experience.  The dry months that one can visit include January, February, June, July, August, and September. Not all places are recommended for picnicking but a help of a guide will be great as you listen to the great history of the park and its tremendous growth over the years.

5. Hiking

The Makalia Falls is a hidden treasure of the Lake Nakuru National Park. They are located on river Makalia on the north of the park. The small falls, give you the required physical exercise and a good hiking experience. This is a great place that you can exploit as long as you are in the Nakuru National Park.  The cool breeze and scenic views are one of the best experiences you can have in the place.

Lake Nakuru National Park is one of the many treasures in Kenya. The park offers a great experience and a beautiful view. Nakuru County offers a variety of attractions too that you can also visit for example Lord Egerton Castle, Hyrax Hill Museum, and Baboon Cliff viewpoint among others. A visit to Nakuru county is guaranteed to be an exciting one with a variety of activities to choose from.