Lake Nakuru National Park is a Small Kenya National Park with a Big Heart

Lake Nakuru National Park is named after the alkaline lake that it encircles. Although it was initially established as a bird sanctuary, one of the smaller Kenya National Parks is home to a surprisingly large number of animal species, including the "Big Four," the African lion, Leopards, rhino and buffalo but sadly, not the mighty African elephant.

Bird Haven

Lake Nakuru is flamingo lake par excellence. Up to 2 million lesser flamingoes flock to the lake to feed on its protein-rich blue-green algae.

These innumerable flamingoes' plumes literally turn the lake into the much clichéd "sea of pink." Baboon Cliff is a great vantage point for taking in sweeping views of the lake.

But flamingoes aren't the only bird species that will delight bird lovers. Lake Nakuru National Park has upwards of 400 other bird species and besides pelicans, I have seen the secretary bird, heron, the hooded and Egyptian vultures and the little egret with it its characteristic yellow feet.

Other species that have been sighted in the park are the yellow-billed stork, the cliff chat and several migrant species from Europe and Asia.

The incredible number of bird species that call this national park home led American ornithologist Roger Tory Peterson to describe it as "the most fabulous bird spectacle in the world." How apt!

Carnivores on the Prowl

Lions and leopards can be sighted in the park.

If you are lucky, you might watch a pride of lions relaxing by the roadside or a tree trunk after a heavy meal of zebra or buffalo.

To spot the elusive leopard though, remember to carry a good pair of binoculars and the scan the tree tops.

Other predators which may be seen in the park are the spotted hyena and the jackal.

Bringing Back the Rhino from the Brink...

Once in Lake Nakuru National Park, you'd be forgiven for thinking that the rhino is no longer teetering on the brink of extinction.

No where as numerous as the flamingoes (of course!), the park is home to the largest population of rhinos in Kenya.

Thanks to the wildlife authorities' concerted efforts to encourage breeding among the world's most gravely endangered mammal, there are now about 50 black and 50 white rhinos in the park.

The park is therefore testament that the rhino, which has nearly been poached to extinction because of the mistaken belief in Asia that its horn has aphrodisiacal qualities, can still be saved from extinction.

There are plenty of opportunities to see these giant herbivores and to even take pictures of the rare mammals with the flamingo-crammed Lake Nakuru acting as a picturesque backdrop.

Saving the Endangered Rothschild Giraffe

Lake Nakuru National Park boasts yet another distinction...

It is the only park in Kenya which is home to the severely endangered Rothschild giraffe.

These giraffe species are translocated here from the Nairobi's Giraffe Center when they outgrow the 140 acre property.

The park is a great place to relocate these giraffe species because it is home to thousands, if not millions, of yellow-bark acacia trees, which are the favorite giraffe food.

One of the park's most memorable sights is that of a Rothschild giraffe elegantly browsing among the acacia trees at dawn. And these threatened species coexist in the park with the more common Masai giraffes.

Other Animals

Several other animals are resident in Lake Nakuru National Park...

These include the buffalo, bushbuck, waterbuck, reedbuck, impala, zebra, rock hyrax, Vervet monkey and baboon.

The park is also home to some giant pythons. So, unless you are a snake charmer, don't venture out of your car except at the designated points.

Acacia Country and Some Euphorbia

Yellow-bark acacias are everywhere in the park. It is little wonder that the Rothschild giraffes are translocated here.

What is surprising though is that with so many acacias dominating the landscape, the park still finds space to host the largest forest of euphorbia in the country.

The euphorbia trees are cactus-looking and can grow up to 15m (49.2ft) high. These provide relief to the eyes from the monotony of the acacias.

Accommodations

Because Lake Nakuru National Park is only 2 hours drive from the Kenya capital Nairobi, it is possible to make a day trip to the park.

However, animals are always at their most active at dawn and dusk.

Therefore, if you want to witness the predators in action - hunting, drinking water, roaming or just relaxing by the roadside, it is recommended that you spend at least a night in the park.

Even though styled as camps, Sarova Lion Hill lodge and Lake Nakuru Lodge provide excellent private en suite rooms with generous verandahs. The food (I just love the pineapples) in these lodges is also superb.

Vervet monkeys and baboons visit the hotel grounds often, so don't worry, the feeling of being in the middle of the African jungle will always linger!

Because of its role in reversing the fortunes of the rhino and the Rothschild giraffe, Lake Nakuru National Park is, I think, a small Kenya National Park with a big heart.

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