Lake Nakuru

Lake Nakuru

Lake Nakuru National Park is one of Kenya’s most accessible safari parks and makes a gentle introduction to your first self-drive safari in Africa. Compared to larger parks, wildlife viewing is often easier here, thanks to the park’s compact size and well-maintained road network.

Lake Nakuru NP surrounds a shallow soda lake in the heart of the Great Rift Valley. Its varied landscape includes open grasslands, acacia woodland, rocky cliffs and several viewpoints overlooking the lake.

The park is best known for its large population of rhinos and is one of the best places in Kenya to spot both black and white rhinos. The park is also home to Rothschild’s giraffes, buffaloes, zebras and the occasional tree-climbing lion.

The lake was once famous for its vast flocks of flamingos. Today, flamingo numbers depend on water levels and seasonal conditions, so sightings can vary. Even so, the park remains a rewarding destination for birdwatchers, with pelicans, fish eagles and many other species commonly seen along the shoreline.

Popular picnic spots include Baboon Cliff, which offers panoramic views across the lake and surrounding landscape, and Makalia Falls, a scenic waterfall in the southern part of the park.