LAKE ELEMENTAITA - LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK

Both lakes are located 156 km from Nairobi via A104 road, on the floor of the Great Rift Valley as a part of Great Lakes of Kenya. Most of visitors come to these lakes are attracted by Nakuru iconic scenery with rhinos and flamingos. However, rising water levels in 2014 forced the flamingos to flee (although a small number had returned at the time of research). Nowadays there are usually more flamingos in neighbour Elementaita Lake.

Lake Nakuru is a national park managed by the KWS with 188 sq. km and surrounded by wooded and bushy grassland with drowned trees. Instead Elementaita Lake is free-entrance reserve. Visitors can enjoy the wide ecological diversity and varied habitats flanked by rocky escarpments, pockets of yellow acacia forest, an unique and biggest euphorbia forest in Africaas well as a waterfall. Both lakes are also ideal for bird watching, hiking and picnic. The lakes have a high elevation (up to 1,756m) and this has a cooling effect, specially at nights.

Elementeita Lake

This lake is a protected area due to its birdlife fame and also it has been named as one of the heritage sites together with the Lake Nakuru and Lake Bogoria by UNESCO. At the south of the lake are the "Kekopey" hot springs, in which an introduced fish, the Lake Magadi tilapia, breed. The reed beds nearby are fishing grounds for night herons and pelicans. The best season to visit during is July - October.

Things to do or see

Makalia Falls. A pretty waterfall at the south end of the park. This is a wonderful spot for picnicking and hiking.

Out of Africa View Point and Baboon Cliffs View Point. Just watch out for the baboons who are always looking for food scraps.

Menengai Crater Vew Point. Visit also the sacred caves. More info here.

Lake Nakuru National Park Entrances

Main Gate from Nakuru town Centre (4 km). 156 km from Nairobi in the main A104 rd.

Laner Gate from Nairobi Nakuru rd.

Nderit Gate is using by people accessing the park from Masai Mara.

Lake Elementatia

A104 Rd runs along the nearby escarpment affording a spectacular vista towards the lake. Visitors can follow some dirt roads to reach the lake shore.

Accommodation

Oasis Eco Camp camping. On the shore of Elemeitaita Lake, you will find basic toilets, cooking facilities, non-potable water, firewood. There is power. Bring drinking water, picnic items and camping equipment (torches) if you intend to stay overnight.

Price: Camping 5 USD/night 2-beds tent 40 USD/night.

More info here.

Ziwa Bush Lodge (150 USD / two persons). More info here. or Kambi Amani Lodge (100 USD/ two persons). More info here. Both lodges are outside of the Lake Nakuru Nartional Park.

Animals sighted (in Lake Nakuru National Park)

Greater and lesser Flamingos (few), black and white rhinos (few), waterbucks (lots), impalas (lots), park's zebras (lots), gazelles (lots), elands (few), warthogs (lots), olive baboons (lots), vervet and colobus monkeys (lots), buffaloes (lots). turtles (one) and over 450 bird species.

Others you may find:

Hyena. lion, cheetah, African rock python, leopards, hippos or Rothschild's giraffes.

Lake Nakuru National Park is fenced to protect the rhino and giraffe, so it can’t support elephants – the only large mammal visitors won’t find here.

Entrance fees (day)

Resident Adult 1.030 KES - Child 515 KES Non Resident Adult 60 USD -Child 35 USD

Car fees: 300 KES.

Please note that only accepts payments with Credit Card, Mpesa and Paypal

More info here.

Other recommendations

Lake Baringo (Robert’s Camp, Samatian Islands)

Lake Bogoria (hot springs and flamingos)