Going On A Lake Nakuru Safari
“A Kenyan Premium Park”
Lake Nakuru National Park delivers a dramatic scenery, abundant wildlife, and stands out amongst the top safari destinations in Kenya – a lively park for a visual storytelling, and Kenya photographic safaris. Discover the park on game drives, and active exploration.
Lake Nakuru Park is a good place to see rhino and sightings of lion and leopard are possible. It’s also easy to reach: the entrance is very close to the city of Nakuru. Keep in mind that the park itself is a leading wildlife sanctuary for both the endangered black and white rhinos, offering memorable wildlife encounters within a scenic setting. Centered on a large, shallow lake that supports great birdlife, including pelicans and flamingos, the park is a renowned for delivering some of the best birding tours in Kenya, thanks to its surrounding habitats, while its varied ecosystems sustain a wide range of wildlife.
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Lake Nakuru Landscape & Scenery
This 188 km² park is dotted with euphorbia trees, rising up from the lakeshore. a landscape of striking beauty and rich biodiversity. The parks shimmering semi-alkaline lake reflects vast open skies, creating a breathtaking natural stage that captivates visitors from the moment they arrive. Some of its attractions which include the view from the Out of Africa Lookout is as close as you can get to the famous plane journey scene from the film ‘Out of Africa’.
Top Things To Do In Lake Nakuru Park
On your safaris to Lake Nakuru Park, the main activity is on a guided game drive, which allows you to explore the park for wildlife watching and birding. Apart from game drives which will take you in search of wildlife, and a series of bird species; – towards the south of this park, you can see the Makalia Falls, where waters cascade through a cleft in the rock surrounded by acacia forest. If you’re staying at a luxury tented camp, you can also enjoy a boat excursion on the Lake Nakuru.
1. Game Drives In Lake Nakuru Park
Game drives are the primary safari activity in Lake Nakuru National Park and are consistently due to the park’s enclosed nature and varied habitats.
2. Birdwatching Tours In Lake Nakuru Park
Lake Nakuru National Park is internationally recognised for its birdlife, its an ornithological paradise hosting approximately 450 bird species supported by the lake, wetlands, grasslands, and forest habitats. Nature enthusiasts who are planning their birding tours in Kenya will find this park greatly rewarding.
3. Wildlife Photography Safaris In Lake Nakuru Park
Lake Nakuru’s dramatic setting, abundant wildlife, and ever-changing contrast makes it fit well amongst the top destinations for photography tours in Kenya. Its accessible terrain, compressed landscapes and the elevation changes adds to its photogenic appeal.
4. Guided Nature Walks In Lake Nakuru Park
While Lake Nakuru National Park is primarily a game-drive park, limited guided walking safaris exist only in designated areas. Please note that all walks must be accompanied by one of the armed Kenya Wildlife Service ranger for safety and regulatory compliance.
5. Viewpoints & Picnic Stops In Lake Nakuru Park
Explore the unique attractions and highlights of this park that make every visit truly special – the Baboon Cliff & Lion Hill.
This cliff is an excellent viewpoint, and it overlooks the entire valley. Baboon Cliff derives its name from the groups of baboons that are known to roam in the area. The cliff is a great spot for a scenic picnic and there are several picnic benches at the top. However, you should take care when you are eating since the baboons have been known to steal food.
There are several great hiking trails around baboon cliff for those wanting to stretch their legs, and the cliff itself is easily accessible by car.
6. Boat Rides In Lake Nakuru Park
During periods of high-water levels, seasonal boat experiences may be available under special arrangements. The Boat safaris at Lake Nakuru Park has been designed to a complete photographic experience across some of the major highlights of the park.
Animals & Wildlife In Lake Nakuru National Park
As for wildlife in Nakuru, several big safari animals are present here, except for elephants. Lake Nakuru National Park is known for its populations of black and white rhino. See the endangered white rhinos and other animals including lions, leopards, waterbucks, warthogs, hippos, impalas, buffalo, Rothschild giraffes and more. Go on a game viewing drive through the scenic vegetation and the biggest euphorbia forest in Africa.
White rhino is particularly easy to see, and different groups can be encountered throughout the day, especially around the western end of the lake. Lake Nakuru safari park is also an important sanctuary for the Rothschild’s giraffe, which inhabits the acacia forests extending out from the western end of the lake.
The Wildlife Highlights In Lake Nakuru
In addition to the rhinos, baboons, Impalas, colobus monkeys, hyenas, zebras, gazelles, and pythons are also among the abundance of wildlife here. The Vervet monkey and olive baboon are very common, but the beautiful black-and-white colobus monkey is rarer than it used to be. Tree-climbing lions are also possible here in Nakuru Park. Additionally, the acacia forest is a good place to look for leopards whereas Hippo, waterbuck, plains zebra, eland and Thomson’s gazelle are common on the floodplains of Lake Nakuru Park. Remember, these are guaranteed close-up wildlife encounters in this scenic park.
The Best Time For Wildlife Viewing In Lake Nakuru Park
As for those planning safari tours to Lake Nakuru, the Lake Nakuru Park can be visited throughout the year, but wildlife viewing is best during the Dry season as from June to February. For birding tours here, you can still visit in April and May, which are usually the wettest safari months.
Birdlife & Birds At Lake Nakuru Park
Lake Nakuru Park was branded a “Bird Watches Paradise” due to the availability of the several bird species, hosting both aquatic and terrestrial.
With more than 450 birding species recorded, the park was amongst the first national parks listed as an Important Bird Area (IBA) and an Endemic Bird Area (EBA) because it’s a home to hundreds of birds including the migrants, it hosts some endemic bird’s species and also this soda lake is a birding hot spot and supports a lot of birdlife, including flamingos and pelicans at the western end of the lake.
The best place to view the birds is from Baboon Cliff, where you get an excellent view over the lake, and the wonderful spectacle of pink flamingoes along its edge. However, the number of birds in the park fluctuates as food conditions change, so check the bird population with the national park before making the journey.
Notable Birds In Lake Nakuru National Park
Great white pelican, Greater blue-eared starling, Greater flamingo, Hottentot teal, and Lesser flamingos
List Of Birds In Lake Nakuru National Park
Abyssinian thrush, Arrow-marked babbler, Bateleur, Black-tailed godwit, Black-winged lapwing, Brimstone canary, Brown-backed scrub robin, Crab-plover, Eastern imperial eagle, European roller, Great snipe, Greater spotted eagle, Grey crowned crane, Grey-crested helmet-shrike (NE),Grey-headed woodpecker, Hildebrandt’s starling, Kenya rufous sparrow, Lappet-faced vulture, Lesser flamingo, Lesser kestrel, Long-crested eagle, Long-tailed widowbird, Maccoa duck, Montane white-eye, Northern puffback, Pallid harrier, Red-capped lark, Rufous-necked wryneck, Rüppell’s robin-chat, Rüppell’s vulture, Schalow’s wheatear, Shining sunbird, Slender-billed greenbul, Sooty falcon, Speke’s weaver, Verreaux’s eagle, Western reef heron, White-fronted bee-eater, and White-headed vulture.
Best Time For Bird Watching In Lake Nakuru Park
Bird watching trips in Lake Nakuru Park is good year-round, although the best time for bird’s safari is from November to March. During this time, you’ll enjoy the best weather conditions and the presence of migratory birds from Europe and North Africa (in the park November through April. That said, in addition to the arrival of migratory species, many interesting birds are here throughout the year.
The Best Time To Visit Lake Nakuru Park
Generally speaking, Lake Nakuru Park offers good wildlife viewing throughout the year, with the best months from June to February. Expect some rainfall during the April and May months. The rainfall is generally marginal in comparison to the long rains and has minimal impact on your wildlife-seeking African safari. In January and February, the weather is dry and humidly-hot with sprinkles of rain, and this is also when increased visitors come to the park to escape the cold winters in Europe and the USA.
The Weather & Climate At Lake Nakuru Park
Lake Nakuru Park experiences a mild climate with the temperatures consistent year-round. The daytime temperatures are pleasant in the mid to high twenties Celsius, although it is much cooler at night. We therefore recommend that you get yourself warm clothing for the early morning game drives. Lake Nakuru’s wettest months are April and May, and the rest of the year relatively dry with some rain throughout.
Dry Season In Lake Nakuru National Park –June to February
During these months, the pleasant days of the dry season are usually sunny, but do not get too hot. At the same time, it rarely rains, though don’t be surprised if you encounter occasional showers at any time, nonetheless they do not last. It is recommended to wear warm clothing during the early morning game drives.
Wet Season Lake Nakuru National Park –March to May
During this period, it rarely rains all day, and the temperatures in the afternoon remain pleasant, though the early mornings are a bit milder. April is considered the wettest month.
Safari Tours To Lake Nakuru Park
Want to visit Lake Nakuru National Park? This is one of the most rewarding safari destinations in Kenya that you can easily add onto safari packages to Masai Mara. Being close to Nairobi, you can easily start off with short Nairobi day-trip tours then proceed to Nakuru Park making it easy to visit in a short time frame, and combine it with other parks as well.
You have plenty of choices to pick from, Lake Nakuru midrange safaris to Lake Nakuru luxury safaris depending on your travel style.
Ready To Plan A Kenya Luxury Safari?
Browse our selection of private luxury tour packages in Kenya above, or get in touch with one of our African safari experts to help tailor-make the best itinerary for you.