History of Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru National Park was first declared a conservation area for the birds including high population of flamingos in 1957 and the conserved area only included Lake Nakuru and small parts of the surrounding area. This was done purposely to preserve the lake, reduce on the its population and conserve the birdlife that was blooming on the lake. In 1961, the already declared Conservation Area which is the current southern section of Lake Nakuru National Park was declared a bird sanctuary and to ensure that the bird population is protected, several protocols were introduced. In 1968, Lake Nakuru National Park was gazetted as one of the national parks in Kenya, later the park’s area was expanded to include the northern Savannah lands of the park which led to the current area of 188 square kilometers. In 1977, the park was honored for being home to the rare and endangered Rothschild giraffes which were translocated to the park from western Kenya for conservation and protection. This was one of the ways through which the Kenya government’s efforts of preserving wildlife in the Est African Community were boasted. Lake Nakuru National Park was later recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Site, a RAMSAR Site in 1990 and an International Birding Area in 2009.Attractions in Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru
Lake Nakuru is one of the most famous soda lakes in East Africa’s Great Rift Valley Lake System and is situated in the heart of Lake Nakuru National Park covering a surface area of 45 square kilometers, Lake Nakuru is a RAMSAR site is one of the main attractions in Lake Nakuru national park. The lake is a perfect site in the park to spot a huge population of birds as it algae attraction a lot of them including huge populations of pink flamingos (lesser and greater flamingos) which are in millions and create a pink plumage, other animals on the shores of the lake include pelicans, cormorants among others.Makalia Falls
The magnificent Makalia Falls are another great attraction in Lake Nakuru National Park found on the southern end of the park, the waters on Makalia River drop at a height of 10 meters off a sheer cliff and forms a plunge pool.Hills
Lake Nakuru National Park is made up a rugged terrain consisting of hills such as Enasoit, honeymoon, Lion hill among others. These hills are the best spots to enjoy views of the park and its numerous attractions including wildlife.Birdlife
Lake Nakuru National Park is a birder’s haven and is listed among the Important Birding Areas in Kenya, the park is a great destination for Kenya birding safari as it hosts over 500 bird species including the largest population of flamingos and pelicans in East Africa. Birds in Lake Nakuru National Park include migratory, endemic, resident birds of which are critically endangered and threatened species. The most endangered bird species in the park include Rueppells Griffon, Gray crowned-crown, and white-backed Vulture. Others are nearly endangered and these include European Roller, Great Snipe, black-tailed Godwit, Maccoa Duck, lesser flamingos, and they’re also birds that are Vulnerable and these include white-headed Vulture, Imperial Eagle, Lappet-faced Vulture, Abyssinian Thrush, and Greater spotted Eagle among others. Other birds in Lake Nakuru National Park include Northern Pintail, Tufted Duck, Maccoa Duck, Egyptian Goose, Cape Teal, Hottentot Teal, Red-billed Duck, Yellow-Billed duck, White-faced Whistling-Duck, Old word and sparrows which include Northern Gray-headed Sparrow, the purple grenadier, African fire finch, Black and White Mannikin, Common Waxbill, crimson-ramped waxbill, Red-cheeked Cordonbleu, lesser Masked weavers, Long-tailed Widowbird, spectacled Weaver, Speke’s Weaver, Double-collared Sunbird, Variable Sunbird, green-headed sunbird, Amethyst Sunbird, Shinning sunbird, Eastern Violet-backed Sunbird, golden-winged sunbird among others.Wildlife in Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru National Park is home to a diversity of wildlife with over 50 mammal species, the park is a great destination to see the endangered species such as black and white rhinos and Rothschild giraffes. Other wildlife in Lake Nakuru National Park include wild dogs, zebras, elands, waterbucks, lions, baboon, impalas, colobus monkeys, hyenas, zebras and pythons among others.
