Lake Nakuru national park

Lake Nakuru national park

This  Park is one of the best national parks in Kenya given that it has one of the Rift Valley soda Lakes i.e. Lake Nakuru. The park has 3 main gates and once you get into the park you will enjoy a wide variety of wildlife species and especially the Flamingoes which make the lake look pink.

 

History of Lake Nakuru National Park

 

The  Park was first declared a conservation area for the birds that were Lake Nakuru including the flamingos in 1957 and the conserved area only included Lake Nakuru and small parts of the surrounding areas. This was done to preserve the lake, reduce on the pollution of the lake and conserve the bird life that was blooming on Lake Nakuru.

 

In 1961 the already declared conversed area

which is the current southern section of Nakuru National Park was declared a bird sanctuary and different protocols introduced to ensure bird protection in the that area were put in place.

In 1968 Lake Nakuru National Park,

It was  gazetted as one of Kenya’s National parks. This was after the park area was expanded to include the northern savannah lands of the park which saw the park’s total area grow to 188km2. Also several mammals were introduced to the park, to diversify the park from just a bird sanctuary to also an animal park.

 

Lake Nakuru National Park

Its was given the honours of being home to the very rare and endangered Rothschild giraffes in 1977 . Giraffes were brought to Lake Nakuru National park from western Kenya for conservation and protection. This initiative by the Kenyan government was a boast to its efforts of preserving wildlife in the East African country.

 

Rhinos

Rhinos were also introduced in the  Park in the 1980s.This was  a Kenyan government initiative to conserve the endangered rhinos that were drastically declining in number.  This was the first of its kind in Kenya . 1984 the park was designated the first government protected rhino sanctuary in Kenya.

rhino sanctuary

To further protect the rhinos from poachers, the Kenyan government erected a 188km2 electric fence around Nakuru National Park in 1986. This fence was and still serves the purpose of keeping poachers away from the Lake Nakuru park as well as keeping the rhinos within the bounds of the park. After the successful construction of the 188km2 electric fence and the Kenyan government officially declared Lake Nakuru Park a rhino sanctuary in 1987.

UNESCO World heritage site

The  Park is a UNESCO World heritage site and it’s internationally recognised as an IBA since 2009 for the over 400 bird species living in the park; in 1990 the park was declared a RAMSAR site.

 

From the history of the park, Lake Nakuru  Park evolved, grown and developed greatly over the years in so many ways which makes it a perfect destination for a safari not to just experience the developed of the park but most all to experience the bird life, wildlife and the extraordinary beauty of the this unique park is central Kenya Nakuru town.

Lake Nakuru National Park

A beautiful wildlife haven”

 

On the floor of the Great Rift Valley, surrounded by wooded and bushy grassland, lies the beautiful Lake Nakuru National Park. Visitors can enjoy the wide ecological diversity and varied habitats that range from Lake Nakuru itself to the surrounding escarpment and picturesque ridges. Lake Nakuru National Park is ideal for bird watching, hiking,picnic and game drives.

Attractions

Flamingo (Greater and Lesser) and other water birds including a variety of terrestrial birds numbering about 450 species in total.Large numbers of flamingos which can be seen along the shores of this lake. The lake is a shallow soda lake that attracts the flamingos to its alkaline shores as they feed on algae.

 

Mammals: 56 different species including white rhinos,waterbuck etc.

 

View-points: Lion hill, Baboon cliff and Out of Africa

 

Hills: Enasoit, Honeymoon, Lion hill ridge etc

 

Waterfalls: Makalia.

 

Unique vegetation: About 550 different plant species including the unique and biggest euphorbia forest in Africa, Picturesque landscape and yellow acacia woodlands.

Cycle with rhino event every September yearly

Activities in Lake Nakuru National Park

Activities which tourists can engage in during their safaris to this destination include the following;

Game drives are among the ways of experiencing Lake Nakuru national park. These drives provide wildlife viewing experiences close to the wildlife species such as the white rhinos, leopards, lions, giraffes, hippos, impalas, waterbucks among others. These game drives take place at different times of day which provides unique experiences during safaris at this destination.

Bird watching is another interesting activity that is carried out in Lake Nakuru national park. This is because of the various bird species which can be seen in the different birding spots around the national park.

Hiking is another activity that takes place in Lake Nakuru national park and it takes place as tourists visit the viewpoints around the national park.

 

Park Entry Fee

 

Citizen                                              Resident                          NON RESIDENT

Adults          KID                               ADULT            KID                ADULT       KID

KSH860    KSHS 215                       KSHS 860       215                    70              40

 

How to get there

 

Roads:The park has a tarmac road connection with Nairobi. Distance of 156 km north west of Nairobi on the main A104 road. The most commonly used route into the park is via the main gate.its  4 km from Nakuru Town Centre. It is also possible to enter the park from the main Nairobi Nakuru road at Lanet Gate. The Nderit Gate is used by people accessing the park from Masai Mara or Elementaita.

Airstrips:The Naishi airstrip services the park for tourism and KWS activities.

 

Park Roads:The park has an adequate and well serviced motorable roads that make most parts of the park accessible.

 

Park Gates:Lanet and Nderit gates are located on the Larger part of the Park on the

 

Eastern side. Old Main gate is located on the Northern Western side of the Park and still accessible but due to the rise of water level you cannot make a full circuit to connect to the Eastern side. Visitors with tickets are allowed to access both sides of the park without paying extra charges.

 

ACCOMMODATION

Delight rose safaris will help you to get the best accommodation according to your budget in Nakuru .you can also check our other safaris packages

 

Lake Nakuru lodge

Sarova Lion Hill Lodge

Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge

The Cliff Hotel

Flamingo Hill Camp

BUDGET OPTIONS

Chester hotel

Lanet mat farm

Delight rose safaris Tours to Lake Nakuru

Lake nakuru day trip

4 days masai mara and lake nakuru

5 days masai mara and lake nakuru

4 days samburu and lake nakuru

other safaris offered by delight rose safaris in Kenya

book a tour to lake Nakuru Natioal park with delight rose safaris