LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
Area: 188 km2.
Location: 155km north of Nairobi, approx 3 hrs.
Lake Nakuru lies in the heart of the Great Rift Valley. The lake is shallow and alkaline but it has become world famous for the flocks of flamingos which come to feed on the algae in the lake. It provides sustenance for up to two million flamingos, making the lake one of the greatest and most colourful bird spectacles on earth. Flocks of 300,000 birds can be seen at one time making the edge of the lake look frosted with pink.
Although the flamingo population fluctuates as they migrate up and down the Rift Valley to breed, there are other numerous species of water bird on the lake shore and the surrounding National Park has been declared a rhino sanctuary on account of its healthy population of Black and White rhino.
Wildlife rhythms: Antelopes and hippos have young in March. Lion cubs born April to May. Migratory waterfowl and waders swell bird numbers from October to April. Lake waters contract during dry seasons forcing waterbirds to feed at other Rift Valley lakes.
Wildlife highlights: Large animals such as black and white rhinos, hippos, Rothschild's giraffes and buffaloes are easily seen. Lions and leopards head the predator list while plains zebras, defassa waterbucks and gazelles are common. Primates include vervet monkeys, olive baboons and black-and-white colobus. Flamingos, pelicans and other waterbirds feature on a bird list topping 400 species.
What to do: Game drives.
Watching tips: White-shouldered cliff chats frequent Baboon Cliffs. A freshwater spring at the north-east corner of the lake attracts mammals and birds.