Lake Nakuru National Park is one of the most thrilling destinations of Kenya, it is home to one of the rift valley saline lakes popularly known as Lake Nakuru, the park is famous for pink flamingoes and high numbers of rhinos, it covers an area space of approximately 188 square kilometres within which are several animal species living with the park including the so-called big four of the wilderness(Lions, leopards, Rhinos, and buffaloes). Elephants are missing here. The park was gazette in 1968 as one of Kenya’s national parks, and since then it has been managed by Kenya Wildlife Service, a recognized UNESCO world heritage site and an important birding area of Kenya.
Lake Nakuru National Park is home to abundant mammal species and birds, it is home to the endangered species of the Rothschild’s giraffes, which were reintroduced to the park for protection, it is a great place to see rhinos both white and black ones, within it is a Rhino sanctuary a major breeding place of the mammal species. To further the protection of these 2 species it was fenced with an electric fence to protect animals from poachers or hunting and also constant animal movement to communities.
Game drives are the most done tourist activities in Lake Nakuru National Park, these are conducted in sessions in the early morning beginning at 6:00 am, afternoon at 2:30 pm, and in the evening times, the morning time is the best time for all to see animals when they are most active, through the well-distributed trails expect to see buffaloes, hippos, giraffes, waterbucks, bushbucks, warthogs, colobus monkeys, zebras, gazelles, leopards, lions, to mention a few, the game drives last of 2-3 hours or depending on guest preference they can be an all-day drive in the national park.
Birding in Lake Nakuru National Park, the conservation area is a haven of birds, it is home to over 300 species of birds some of which are endemics to the Great Rift Valley region, expect to see greater and lesser flamingoes, ostriches, Egyptian goose, yellow-billed duck, red-billed duck, guinea fowls, little Greb, speckled pigeon, black-faced sand grouse, red chested cuckoo, spekes weaver, shinning sunbird, crab plover to mention a few, these can be seen anywhere in the park on game drives or guided nature walks.to enjoy a birding experience in the national park it is wise to bring good cameras and binoculars.
Visit the Baboon Cliff, it is one of the most beautiful places to see in the national park, it gives perfect views of Lake Nakuru and is also a point of many resident baboons. Besides the baboon trail, Malaika waterfalls are one of the top highlights of the park, they are best enjoyed following a green season to have the most spectacular views.
Tourist activities in Lake Nakuru National Park can be done any time of the year but best during the dry season between the months of December-February and June- September, what to pack for a great experience in the national park includes long-sleeved shirts and trousers, insect repellants, warm clothes for the wet season, cameras, binoculars and any other important items of personal nature.
In conclusion, tourist activities in Lake Nakuru National Park are epic and fun experiences along the floor of the Great Rift Valley region.