Located in the Great Rift Valley, Nakuru is a shallow, alkaline lake where both lesser and flamingos can be found in vast numbers, sometimes literally turning the water pink!
The lake varies in size from five to 30 square kilometres – depending on rainfall – and is rich in birdlife; there are 400 resident species on the lake and in the surrounding national park. Thousands of little grebes and white-winged black terns are frequently seen, as are black-winged stilts, pelicans, cormorants, avocets, ducks and – in the European winter – many migrant waders.
Black and white rhinos thrive in the surrounding national park, which also has its fair share of Cape buffalo, African wild dog, zebra, eland, waterbuck and lion.
In recent years Nakuru has attracted fame for the high number of leopard sightings, and the rare Rothschild’s giraffe. Its acacia and euphorbia forests are havens for animals during the heat of the day, making Nakuru an excellent wildlife-viewing destination, while the hippo pool is a favourite spot for picnics.