Lake Nakura NP, Kenya

 

The park lies in Central Kenya, 140km north-west of Nairobi, in Nakuru district of the Rift Valley Province. The ecosystem comprises of the lake, surrounded by mainly wooded and bushy grasslands. The park supports a wide ecological diversity with Flamingos (Greater and Lesser) and other water birds being the major attractions of the area. The ecosystem provides for about 56 different species of mammals including the white rhino and buffaloes and a variety of terrestrial birds numbering nearly 450 species.

 

First views of Lake Nakura - a "soda" lake - not fresh water.  Nakura means "dusty" place

 

Colobus Monkeys are everywhere

 

But so were the green baboons - huge families of baboons in the park.

Water Buffalo

 

 

Who is watching who??  Members of our tour group taking photos of us taking photos.  lol

 

Water buck family- a large antelope - always find them near the water

 

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LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK : Formed 12 millions years ago, after the huge depression of the Great Rift Valley, lake Nakuru, as most alkaline lake, is guarded by a dormant volcano which catch and filter rain water. Dependant to annual rainfall, the lake keeps decreasing since 1997 and it is only 3.5 m (11.5 ft.) deep during wet seasons. The ecosystem is threatened by annual drought (nakuru means "dusty place" in Maa). This strongly alkaline lake (62 sq. km) is a paradise for ornithologists as the lake is home to flamingoesN, water birds (pelicansN) and a variety of terrestrial birds living in the forested areas Thanks to K.W.S. effort to enlarge and fence the park and to reintroduce rare mammals (rhinosN), Rotschild giraffeN) the park is an unique rewarding destination for game viewing and wildlifeN. There is one main road going around the shore of the lake which is bounded on the eastern and western sides by rocky hillsides covered by prehistorical forests and woodlands. The Lookout point on the Baboon cliff offer magnificent views across the lake. The southern side are grasslands and dry bushes and you may visit the Makalia falls. Near Nakuru town, you can also visit the Hyrax Valley and the Menengai crater, the largest volcanic calderas of Kenya.