Lake Nakuru National Park

🇰🇪 Kenya

🦩 Kenya's Premier Rhinoceros and Flamingo Sanctuary
🌍 #22 Global · 4.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #17 in Africa #17 in Savanna & Grassland
East Africa, Kenya 1246 spp. recorded

Lake Nakuru National Park sits within the Rift Valley of Kenya, featuring a protected tropical savanna landscape of open grasslands, dense acacia woodlands, and rocky cliffs. This protected wetland basin combines shallow shorelines with dry rolling hills, offering varied terrain for walking tracks and vehicle safaris.

-0.380° S   36.094° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Lesser Flamingo ★
NT

Lesser Flamingo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Phoeniconaias minor

60–70% · Likely
White Rhinoceros ★

White Rhinoceros

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Ceratotherium simum

50–60% · Likely
Northern Giraffe ★
VU

Northern Giraffe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Giraffa camelopardalis

60–70% · Likely
Lion ★
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Great White Pelican
LC

Great White Pelican

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pelecanus onocrotalus

80–90% · Very likely
Olive Baboon
LC

Olive Baboon

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Papio anubis

70–80% · Very likely
Egyptian Goose
LC

Egyptian Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Alopochen aegyptiaca

70–80% · Very likely
African Fish-Eagle
LC

African Fish-Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliaeetus vocifer

70–80% · Very likely
Grey Heron
LC

Grey Heron

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardea cinerea

70–80% · Very likely
Superb Starling
LC

Superb Starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis superbus

70–80% · Very likely
Impala
LC

Impala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Aepyceros melampus

70–80% · Very likely
Marabou Stork
LC

Marabou Stork

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Leptoptilos crumenifer

70–80% · Very likely
Yellow-billed Stork
LC

Yellow-billed Stork

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Mycteria ibis

60–70% · Likely
Common Warthog
LC

Common Warthog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phacochoerus africanus

60–70% · Likely
Vervet Monkey
LC

Vervet Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Chlorocebus pygerythrus

60–70% · Likely
Blacksmith Lapwing
LC

Blacksmith Lapwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vanellus armatus

60–70% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

White Rhinoceros ★

White Rhinoceros

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Ceratotherium simum

50–60% · Likely
Northern Giraffe ★
VU

Northern Giraffe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Giraffa camelopardalis

60–70% · Likely
Lion ★
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Olive Baboon
LC

Olive Baboon

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Papio anubis

70–80% · Very likely
Impala
LC

Impala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Aepyceros melampus

70–80% · Very likely
Common Warthog
LC

Common Warthog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phacochoerus africanus

60–70% · Likely
Vervet Monkey
LC

Vervet Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Chlorocebus pygerythrus

60–70% · Likely
African Buffalo
NT

African Buffalo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Syncerus caffer

50–60% · Likely
Common Eland

Common Eland

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Taurotragus oryx

50–60% · Likely
Spotted Hyena
LC

Spotted Hyena

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Crocuta crocuta

50–60% · Likely
Plains Zebra
NT Endemic

Plains Zebra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Equus quagga

50–60% · Likely
Waterbuck
LC

Waterbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus ellipsiprymnus

50–60% · Likely
Thomson's Gazelle
LC

Thomson's Gazelle

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Eudorcas thomsonii

50–60% · Likely
Rock Hyrax
LC

Rock Hyrax

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Procavia capensis

40–50% · Likely
Black Rhinoceros
CR

Black Rhinoceros

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Diceros bicornis

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Lesser Flamingo ★
NT

Lesser Flamingo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Phoeniconaias minor

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Great White Pelican
LC

Great White Pelican

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pelecanus onocrotalus

80–90% · Very likely
Egyptian Goose
LC

Egyptian Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Alopochen aegyptiaca

70–80% · Very likely
African Fish-Eagle
LC

African Fish-Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliaeetus vocifer

70–80% · Very likely
Grey Heron
LC

Grey Heron

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardea cinerea

70–80% · Very likely
Superb Starling
LC

Superb Starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis superbus

70–80% · Very likely
Marabou Stork
LC

Marabou Stork

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Leptoptilos crumenifer

70–80% · Very likely
Yellow-billed Stork
LC

Yellow-billed Stork

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Mycteria ibis

60–70% · Likely
Blacksmith Lapwing
LC

Blacksmith Lapwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vanellus armatus

60–70% · Likely
Augur Buzzard
LC

Augur Buzzard

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Buteo augur

60–70% · Likely
Great Cormorant
LC Endemic

Great Cormorant

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Phalacrocorax carbo

60–70% · Likely
Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu
LC

Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Uraeginthus bengalus

60–70% · Likely
Northern Anteater-Chat
LC

Northern Anteater-Chat

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Myrmecocichla aethiops

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Leopard Tortoise
LC

Leopard Tortoise

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Stigmochelys pardalis

30–40% · Possible
African Striped Skink
LC

African Striped Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis striata

20–30% · Possible
Nile Monitor
LC

Nile Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus niloticus

10–20% · With luck
Tropical House Gecko
LC

Tropical House Gecko

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Hemidactylus mabouia

Insufficient data
Jackson's Forest Lizard
LC

Jackson's Forest Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Adolfus jacksoni

Insufficient data
Kenyan Rock Agama
LC

Kenyan Rock Agama

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Agama lionotus

Insufficient data
Gregory's Blue-headed Agama
LC

Gregory's Blue-headed Agama

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Acanthocercus gregorii

Insufficient data
Black-necked Spitting Cobra
LC

Black-necked Spitting Cobra

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Naja nigricollis

Insufficient data
Kenya Dwarf Gecko
LC

Kenya Dwarf Gecko

Reptile

Lygodactylus keniensis

Insufficient data
Nile Crocodile
LC

Nile Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus niloticus

Insufficient data
Black Mamba
LC

Black Mamba

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Dendroaspis polylepis

Insufficient data
Side-striped Chameleon
LC

Side-striped Chameleon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trioceros bitaeniatus

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Common Reed Frog
LC

Common Reed Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Hyperolius viridiflavus

Insufficient data
Edible bullfrog
LC

Edible bullfrog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Pyxicephalus edulis

Insufficient data
Garman's Toad
LC

Garman's Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Sclerophrys garmani

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦌

Rhinoceros and Ungulate Dry Season Concentration

MarJulSepDec

As seasonal water sources recede, the White Rhinoceros and other large herbivores like the African Buffalo concentrate densely around remaining permanent wetlands.

White Rhinoceros

White Rhinoceros

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Ceratotherium simum

50–60% · Likely
African Buffalo
NT

African Buffalo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Syncerus caffer

50–60% · Likely
🐦

Acacia Woodland Bird Breeding Peak

AprMaySepNov

The arrival of seasonal rains triggers high breeding activity and vibrant plumage displays among woodland residents like the Rüppell's Glossy-starling and the Pied Kingfisher.

Pied Kingfisher
LC

Pied Kingfisher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ceryle rudis

40–50% · Likely
Rüppell's Glossy-starling
LC

Rüppell's Glossy-starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis purpuroptera

40–50% · Likely
🐦

Greater and Lesser Flamingo Seasonality Shift

JanMarApr

Fluctuating water levels and shifting algae concentrations cause both Greater Flamingo and Lesser Flamingo populations to peak dynamically across the alkaline shallows.

Greater Flamingo
LC

Greater Flamingo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Phoenicopterus roseus

40–50% · Likely
Lesser Flamingo
NT

Lesser Flamingo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Phoeniconaias minor

60–70% · Likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
Lesser Flamingo
70–80
50–60
70–80
70–80
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
White Rhinoceros
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
40–50
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
40–50
40–50
60–70
Northern Giraffe
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
40–50
40–50
Lion
40–50
40–50
40–50
60–70
10–20
30–40
50–60
20–30
30–40
50–60
10–20
40–50
Great White Pelican
80–90
70–80
60–70
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
Olive Baboon
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
60–70
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
Egyptian Goose
60–70
70–80
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
70–80
African Fish-Eagle
70–80
80–90
70–80
90–100
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
Grey Heron
60–70
60–70
50–60
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
Superb Starling
60–70
60–70
80–90
80–90
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
50–60
Impala
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
Marabou Stork
60–70
70–80
60–70
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
50–60
Yellow-billed Stork
50–60
40–50
40–50
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
Common Warthog
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
40–50
30–40
Vervet Monkey
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
Blacksmith Lapwing
60–70
50–60
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
Animal Events
🦌 Rhinoceros and Ungulate Dry Season Concentration
🐦 Acacia Woodland Bird Breeding Peak
🐦 Greater and Lesser Flamingo Seasonality Shift

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ World-class
🦩 Kenya's Premier Rhinoceros and Flamingo Sanctuary

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Very good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.3 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
839
🐒 Mammals
256
🦎 Reptiles
113
🐸 Amphibians
38
1246 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
49 Threatened 5 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
5.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
73%
📊
Coverage (244 species at ≥5% of 1246 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
20%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (8 bird, 4 mammal)
46% Global avg
59%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
205
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
28
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
59

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Lake Nakuru National Park?

The most likely sightings are Great White Pelican (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Olive Baboon (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Egyptian Goose (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), African Fish-Eagle (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Grey Heron (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers) — among 1246 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Lake Nakuru National Park for wildlife?

April has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Lesser Flamingo in Lake Nakuru National Park?

Yes — about 67% of wildlife watchers report a Lesser Flamingo sighting in Lake Nakuru National Park, based on 614 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see White Rhinoceros in Lake Nakuru National Park?

Yes — about 58% of wildlife watchers report a White Rhinoceros sighting in Lake Nakuru National Park, based on 59 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Northern Giraffe in Lake Nakuru National Park?

Yes — about 62% of wildlife watchers report a Northern Giraffe sighting in Lake Nakuru National Park, based on 68 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Lion in Lake Nakuru National Park?

Yes — about 41% of wildlife watchers report a Lion sighting in Lake Nakuru National Park, based on 29 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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