Wildlife in Lake Nakuru National Park has grown over time making it one of the best places in the country to encounter wildlife, it angelically lies along the floor of the great Rift Valley region named after Lake Nakuru which is the most captivating feature, the park covers an area space of approximately 188 square kilometers it is alkaline and shallow attracting both lesser and greater flamingoes, sometimes the whole lake area is blanketed in pink imagine seeing millions of pink carpet birds on the Lake at once, they are attracted by the green algae.
Wildlife in Lake Nakuru National Park is vast through the differed biodiverse environment comprising of the open grasslands, mountainous areas, Lake Nakuru, small bushes, and shrubs, these act as habitat to 50mammal species, including the so-called big four of the wildernesses (African buffaloes, Lions, Leopards, and Rhinos). The park is one of the few places in Kenya to see large herds of Rhinos, they have grown in number following the strict conservation policies thanks to the government of Kenya, the building of an electric fence has seen the protection of black and white Rhinos from poaching, in the early 1980’s Rothchild’s giraffes were introduced in the national park and have adopted to the vegetation and life of the conservation area
Other animal species found in the national park include waterbucks, zebras, hippos, hyenas, leopards, elands, Thomson’s giraffes, and elands, to mention a few and over 400 species of birds have been recorded in the national park, example species are hammer kops, horn bills, greater and lesser flamingoes, gray crowned cranes, European roller, great snipe bateleur, ostriches, whistling duck, Hildebrandt’s francolin, sunbirds to mention a few.
Wildlife in Lake Nakuru National Park is seen while conducting tourism activities, game drives are the most thrilling way to encounter wildlife in the national park,these are done in sessions, in the morning beginning at 6:00 am, afternoon at 2:30 pm and evening time from 4:30 pm, east African time, the morning time is the most recommendable to view wildlife species when the animals are most active and easy to spot. Birding in Lake Nakuru National Park is a great experience several species of birds have been recorded. Visit the Baboon Cliff along which you will enjoy the great sight of olive baboons and overlook Lake Nakuru.
Wildlife in Lake Nakuru National Park can be seen any time of the year but best during the dry season between the months of December-February and June-September when the trails of the park are much drier and easier to access, during this time, the grasses are thinner and hence viewing animal species is better, they as well gather around a few water sources that remain with water in the dry season.
How to get to Lake Nakuru National can be by road or by air transfer, it takes 3-4 hours via the Nakuru highway, the conservation area can be accessed from other destinations like the Masai Mara National Park, the entrance from this gate is via the west side of the park.
In conclusion, Lake Nakuru National Park can be accessed any time of the year but best during the dry season. Trips to the national park can be combined with other destinations while on your Kenyan Safari.