Although not the largest or most famous protected spaces in Kenya, Lake Nakuru National Park is one of the most beautiful, convenient and accessible of the stunning wilderness areas in the country. Located near the town of Nakuru, more than 1,700m above sea level on the great plateaus of the Rift Valley in western Kenya, the national park spreads out over 188 sqkm (73 sqmi), with the expansive lake at its centre. The lake attracts a huge quantity of algae, which in turn brings flocks of bright pink flamingo, in numbers sometimes reaching into the millions.
 
The town is located around two hours from Nairobi, and visitors coming to the spectacular Rift Valley can reach the park and see its wonders in a day easily. As well as the largest gathering of flamingo in the world, the park features lions, hippo, leopard, rhino, zebra and many other interesting animals, with 56 species of mammal alone, and 450 species of bird. There are also several stunning waterfalls and the largest euphorbia forest in Africa. Visitors can see beautiful yellow acacia forests, as well as the iconic African baobab trees.
 
Tours can begin with pick-ups in the capital city, Nairobi, or from the nearby Nakuru town. The best way to see the park is with a trained and specialist wildlife expert to drive you around. From the Baboon Cliff view point, visitors can look out over a panoramic vista of the park, as well as seeing the playground for the curious and fascinating baboons that call the cliff top home. Visitors can walk in some areas of the park, for a rare ‘on foot’ perspective of a safari park, but must listen to their guide carefully and understand the dangers due to the larger mammals, especially the predators that also live in the park.

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