Want to learn more about animals in Lake Nakuru National Park? Lake Nakuru National Park covers about 188 square kilometers and is located in the Rift Valley region of Kenya. It has different types of habitats, including grasslands, acacia woodlands, rocky cliffs, and the famous Lake Nakuru. These habitats support many wild animals and birds, making the park one of the best places to visit for wildlife viewing.
The park is most famous for the large flocks of flamingos that gather along the shores of Lake Nakuru. When they are present in large numbers, they create a pink glow across the water. Another highlight of the park is its healthy population of both white and black rhinos. Lake Nakuru is a well-known rhino sanctuary and one of the few places in Kenya where you can easily spot these endangered animals in the wild.
The park is also home to about 50 animal species. Although elephants are not found in Lake Nakuru National Park, you can still see four of the Big Five animals: lions, leopards, buffaloes, and rhinos.
Some of the notable animals in Lake Nakuru include:
- Cape buffalo
- Burchell’s zebra
- Rothschild’s giraffe
- White and black rhinos
- Hippopotamus
- Waterbuck
- Thomson’s gazelle
- Olive baboon
- Vervet monkey
- Black-and-white colobus monkey
- Leopard
- Lion
- Hyena
- Cheetah
- Impala
- Eland
- Warthog
- Python
Besides the animals, the park is also a popular place for bird watching. With more than 400 bird species recorded, Lake Nakuru attracts bird lovers from all over the world. Some of the common birds include flamingos, pelicans, fish eagles, and various types of herons and storks.
The best time to visit Lake Nakuru for wildlife viewing is during the dry season, from June to September. During this time, the animals gather around water sources and are easier to spot. However, the park is open all year, and every season offers something special to see.