Lake Nakuru National Park

城市概覽

Lake Nakuru National Park is one of Kenya’s 23 national parks and one of two in the Premium category, along with Amboseli National Park. It can be found in Central Kenya, about 90 miles (140 km) northwest of Nairobi, in the Nakuru district of the Rift Valley Province. The ecosystem is comprised of the lake, surrounded by wooded and bushy grasslands. The park supports a wide ecological diversity including Flamingos (Greater and Lesser) and other water birds, and the Black and White Rhinoceros which are the major attractions of the area.

History Lake Nakuru National Park started as a bird viewing and sport shooting area of migratory birds in 1950s, but has since been expanded and fenced to protect populations of endangered giraffes and rhinoceros.

1957 - declared a conservation area 1961 - Southern two thirds designated a bird sanctuary 1964 - the bird sanctuary was extended covering the whole lake and a small strip of land around it 1968 - gazetted as National Park 1977- a number of Rothschild Giraffes translocated to the park from western Kenya for their protection 1984 - established as first government managed rhino sanctuary 1986 - an electric fence was erected around the park to replace the earlier chainlink 1987 - the park was declared a rhino sanctuary. 1990 - the lake was designated as a Ramsar site 2009 - designated as IBA (450 identified bird species) 2011 – Designated by UNESCO as one of the Kenya Lakes System (Lakes Elementaita, Nakuru and Bogoria) World Heritage Sites

Landscape Depending on the season, Lake Nakuru can cover up to about 25 sq mi (40 km²), and the entire park covers about 116 sq mi (188 km²). The lake is highly saline, so it is surrounded by a grassland of highly adaptable alkaline grasses. This park also has many hills with established viewpoints from which the lake, the woodlands, and often times the herds of buffalo can be seen.

Flora and fauna In addition to its 400 species of birds, Lake Nakuru National Park is home to more t

如何抵達

The park opens at 7AM. If you are travelling from Nairobi, then take the Naironi-Nakuru highway. On the way to Nakuru you will have a great view of the Rift Valley, so drive slow and enjoy the scenery! From Nairobi, it is about a 30-minute drive to a scenic overlook at 7200 feet (2200 m) above sea level and from here you can get a spectacular view of the volcanoes Suswa and Mount Longonot. There are also a group of great little curio shops at this stop where you can buy souvenirs. Seeing the entire park could take you a full day, so plan to arrive around 9Am unless you have more than a day in the area. It might take you few minutes to get your ticket and the vehicle checked. The park has very well established roads that make most parts of the park accessible by 2-wheel-drive vehicles. Some less-travelled parts and most viewpoint hills will require 4-wheel-drive. The park has three gates: the Main Gate and Lanet Gate that link the park with the Nairobi-Nakuru highway and the less-used Nderit Gate. If you choose to fly: It’s about a 25-minute flight from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi to the Naishi airstrip inside the park.

當地交通

The best way to get around almost any national park is by car. For a list of safari companies that are a part of the Kenya Association of Tour Operators, click here.

購物

It’s suggested that any gear you might need like sunscreen, bug repellant, camping gear, etc. be brought with you to Kenya as the highest quality stuff may not be readily available to you once you get there. If you’re staying in Nairobi you can probably find a lot of this stuff at a Carrefour (large supermarket chain in Kenya), but it may still be a good idea to bring it from home. Souvenirs can be bought inside the park in the lodge gift shops, but if you want to buy from one of these places make sure you budget for it. Stuff in these gift shops is not cheap. If you have time, it’s better to spend it exploring and shopping in the nearby Nakuru town. You can find the same stuff from locals here for 1/3 the price lodge gift shops ask for.

住宿

Lodging

In the park Lake Nakuru Lodge, ☏ +254 51 850228, +254 51 850518, fax: +254 51 216250, [email protected]. Spacious rooms, beautiful view, good service, fine cuisine. Offer organized game drives with tour companies that they associate with. Low season: US$200-420. High season: $300-715. Sarova Lion Hill Lodge, ☏ +254 728 606 584, fax: +254 51 2210836, [email protected]. This lodge offers similar accommodations to Lake Nakuru Lodge. US$300-400.

Just outside Nakuru Backpackers Hostel (Opposite Kamba bus station, along Nakuru - Eldoret highway (just off Eldoret-Nakuru highway)), ☏ +254 721 543 406. Check-in: 24hr, check-out: 10AM. Hostel with a bar and hot showers. US$10 per person. Merica Hotel, ☏ +254 51 2214232, +254 51 2216013, [email protected]. A beautiful hotel in the heart of Nakuru Town. Offer many activities such as: game drives to Lakes Nakuru, Elementaita, Bogoria, Baringo and Hell’s Gate and Aberdare National Parks, climbing Mount Longonot, and visits to St. Egerton Castle. Also offer packed lunches for game drives. US$100-305.

Camping Special campsites- include the grounds only

Naishi, Chui, Rhino, Soysambu, Nyati, Nyuki, Reedbuck Public campsites- include water and latrines

Makalia, Backpacker’s, ☏ +254 20-2664071, +254 20-2664079, +254 20-2671686, fax: +254-20-607024, [email protected].

順遊推薦

The park closes at 6PM, and the last car is let in at 5:15. There are many things to see and do just outside Lake Nakuru National Park.

Nearby National Parks to check out: Hell’s Gate, Mount Longonot. For more birdwatching, check out these other Ramsar sites: Lakes Naivasha, Bogoria, Baringo, and Elementaita Menegai Crater