Lake Nakuru

Lake Nakuru’s story as a protected place began with birds. In 1961 the southern tip of the lake became a sanctuary for its globally significant flamingos and other waterbirds; in 1964 the sanctuary was extended to the whole lake, and in 1968 the lake and its shoreline became a national park. Kenya Wildlife Service still describes the park as a birdwatcher’s paradise, with around 450 recorded species, though flamingo numbers vary greatly.

Today it is equally known for rhinos. In 1987 the park became Kenya’s first government-managed rhino sanctuary, and Kenya Wildlife Service describes it as home to one of the country’s largest populations of black rhinos, alongside white rhinos. Its semi-alkaline lake, open skies and changing light also make it a favourite with photographers, and its compact size means a single game drive can cover a remarkable range of scenery.

Kenya Wildlife Service describes July to March as the main season for wildlife viewing across its parks, and April to June as the low season of the long rains, when some roads may need four-wheel drive. The Kenya Meteorological Department adds a second, shorter rainy season from October to December. At Lake Nakuru the waterbirds follow conditions on the lake rather than the calendar, so flamingo numbers on any visit cannot be predicted.

The park lies north-west of Nairobi on the main A104 road and is reached from the Nairobi–Nakuru highway at Lanet Gate, Nderit Gate or the Main Gate close to Nakuru City, which makes it one of the easiest of Kenya’s major parks to reach by road. For those arriving by air, Naishi airstrip, beside Naishi Guest House, serves light aircraft, so the park can also be reached by air.