Lakes that host flamingos

Easily accessible Lake Nakuru

Located 156 kilometers west of Nairobi, Lake Nakuru is the easily accessible and one of the most famous tourist destinations among all the lakes in the country, featuring a large number of the pink flamingos attracted by the plenty of bluegreen algae on its shorelines.

For the huge population of flamingos, which hit 2 million a decade ago, United States ornithologist Roger Peterson termed the lake the "greatest bird spectacle on Earth".

However, the number of flamingos in the lake has decreased because of rising water levels that have reduced salinity. When the alkaline levels drop, the blue-green algae levels also decline, compelling the birds to migrate to other alkaline lakes, particularly Lake Bogoria, in search of food, though the lake has also been experiencing the flooding challenge.

The flock of flamingos in Lake Nakuru increases immediately after the rainy season because of abundant algae, and decreases during the dry season.

The birds can be viewed through several viewpoints, on the shores of the lake or from the comfort of your safari car.

Apart from the pink flamingos, Lake Nakuru is also home to hundreds of other waterfowls, with a large population of great white pelicans.

Besides its magnificent bird life, Lake Nakuru National Park is home to many wild animals.