Lake Nakuru National Park

Nakuru is compact and fenced, which supports its role as Kenya's first government-managed rhino sanctuary. KWS identifies protected black and white rhino populations here, creating a strong viewing opportunity without guaranteeing either species on a particular visit.

The lake itself is alkaline and its level has changed dramatically over the past decade. Flamingo numbers rise and fall with that: Nakuru can still be extraordinary for them, but the large massed flocks now move between Nakuru, Bogoria and Elementaita depending on conditions.

Yellow-barked acacia woodland and the escarpment above the lake give the park a different character from the open plains further south.