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Lake Nakuru National Park – Birding & Wildlife Haven
Lake Nakuru National Park is one of Kenya’s premier birding destinations, famous for its spectacular flocks of Lesser Flamingos and over 450 recorded bird species. Established in 1961, the park lies along the shores of Lake Nakuru, one of the Great Rift Valley’s stunning soda lakes, and is recognized as a Ramsar site of international importance.
Covering just 188 square kilometers, Nakuru is compact yet incredibly rich in biodiversity, offering exceptional opportunities to view both birds and mammals at close range. Its central location—just 160 km (2 hours by road) from Nairobi—makes it ideal for day trips, weekend getaways, or as a convenient stopover en route to the Maasai Mara, or combined with birding in Aberdares, Samburu, Kakamega Forest, and Lakes Baringo and Bogoria.
Lake Nakuru is best known for:
Huge flocks of Lesser Flamingos feeding on the lake’s shores.
Great White Pelicans fishing in coordinated groups.
Globally important populations of Black-necked Grebe, African Spoonbill, Red-necked Phalarope, Saddle-billed Stork, African Darter, Pied Avocet, Little Grebe, Long-tailed Widowbird, Southern Ground Hornbill, Yellow-billed Stork, Black-winged Stilt, Grey-headed Gull, and Gull-billed Tern.
Over 100 migratory species, including waders, ducks, terns, gulls, raptors, and warblers arriving each year along the African-Eurasian flyway.
Beyond birds, Lake Nakuru offers superb wildlife sightings. It is a vital breeding sanctuary for both black and white rhinos, and a stronghold for tree-climbing lions and the elusive leopard, often spotted resting in the acacia woodlands. Large herds of cape buffalo and other savanna mammals are also commonly seen.
At an elevation of 1,754 meters, the park features forested slopes, open grasslands, and rocky ridges with established viewpoints offering sweeping vistas of the lake and its surrounding habitats. The roads are motorable year-round, though a 4×4 vehicle is recommended during the rains.
Lake Nakuru National Park remains one of the Great Rift Valley’s most treasured jewels, a unique combination of prolific birdlife, dramatic scenery, and unforgettable wildlife encounters.
Birding in Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru is one of Kenya’s most celebrated birding hotspots, with more than 500 bird species recorded. The shallow, saline lake attracts immense flocks of waterbirds, making it a true paradise for birdwatchers.
The lake regularly supports Great White Pelicans, Whiskered Terns, Grey-headed Gulls, Glossy Ibis, and a variety of waders such as Common Sandpiper, Little Stint, and Kittlitz’s Plover. Both Greater and Lesser Flamingos are also present, sometimes in dazzling numbers along the shoreline.
Lake Nakuru is one of the best places in Kenya to witness the striking Long-tailed Widowbird, especially in the breeding season when males trail their exceptionally long tails across the grasslands.
Birds of prey are well represented, with Augur Buzzard, Bateleur, Martial Eagle, Long-crested Eagle, and African Fish Eagle frequently encountered. You may also see Maasai Ostrich, Grey-crowned Crane, Secretarybird, and Saddle-billed Stork in the park’s open areas.
Other exciting sightings include:
Waterfowl: Knob-billed Duck, Southern Pochard, Northern Shoveler, Hottentot Teal, Cape Teal, Yellow-billed Duck, and Northern Pintail.
Grassland & woodland birds: Hildebrandt’s Francolin, Helmeted Guineafowl, Lemon-rumped Tinkerbird, White-fronted Bee-eater, Giant Kingfisher, Grosbeak Weaver, African Firefinch, Grassland Pipit, and Pectoral-patch Cisticola.
Rarities & migrants: African Skimmer, Black-tailed Godwit, Broad-billed Sandpiper, African Snipe, Spotted Crake, and Jacobin Cuckoo.
Forest and Bush species: Brubru, Mosque Swallow, Brown Parisoma, Arrow-marked Babbler, Slender Starling, Violet-backed Starling, Blue-naped Mousebird, Red-throated Wryneck, Bearded Woodpecker, and Pearl-spotted Owlet.
Ruma National Park is a hidden gem for, nature lovers, birdwatchers, photographers and wildlife enthusiasts, offering a rich diversity of species and some of Kenya’s most picturesque scenery. This delightful birding hotspot boasts a sensational mix of habitats, making it one of the country’s finest birding destinations. It is the best place to spot the rare Montane Blue Swallow and the iconic Roan Antelope, alongside a wide variety of other species. Thanks to its mild climate and natural landscapes, birdwatching in Ruma is productive throughout the year. For an even more rewarding experience, a visit to Ruma can be seamlessly combined with nearby birding treasures such as Lake Victoria, Busia Grasslands, Mount Elgon, Kongelai Escarpment, and Kakamega Forest, forming part of Kenya’s western birding circuit.
