Lake Nakuru

Lake Nakuru is one of Kenya’s most renowned wildlife sanctuaries, located in the Great Rift Valley.

Situated in central Kenya, approximately 160 kilometres northwest of Nairobi, Lake Nakuru has been a protected area for over six decades. It was initially designated as a bird sanctuary around 1961 to protect its famous flamingo populations, and was officially gazetted as a national park in 1968.

Lake Nakuru National Park’s compact area covers approximately 188 square kilometres (73 square miles), with the alkaline lake forming its centrepiece. Since its establishment, “Lake Nakuru” has referred not only to the water body itself but to the entire protected ecosystem around it, historically part of the Rift Valley Province and today managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service as one of the country’s important conservation areas.

Lake Nakuru is a premier destination for wildlife viewing, bird watching, photography, conservation education, ecological tourism, and nature-based experiences. It is one of East Africa’s most significant bird sanctuaries and offers exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities due to its compact size. Lake Nakuru has been proposed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site candidate. It attracts substantial tourist numbers annually and provides diverse wildlife encounters within a relatively small area. Lake Nakuru is a significant black rhino and white rhino sanctuary, playing a crucial role in Kenya’s rhino conservation efforts. The park’s varied habitats support over 450 bird species, making it one of East Africa’s richest ornithological destinations. Lake Nakuru represents a successful example of wildlife conservation and habitat management in Kenya.