Lake Nakuru to do some bird watching

Trip Start Apr 04, 2006

Trip End Oct 23, 2006

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Flag of Kenya Nakuru, Kenya
Monday, July 10, 2006

After a 3-hour ride on some pretty bumpy roads, passing some beautiful vistas of the Rift Valley, I arrived at Lake Nakuru National Park. The reason to visit this alkaline lake is to see the flamingos ... and there are millions of them! The lake was pink from the amount of flamingoes present. There are 2 things that are worth mentioning that you don't get on National Geographic or Discovery:

1) You can't possibly capture the vast number (or even a small percentage) in a picture unless you have an aerial view.

2) The nature shows don't tell you that you have to step over dead flamingos along the shoreline before getting remotely close to the lake and the birds. I figured that I had to do it because it would be the only chance I get to come out of the safari vehicle. Besides, the alkaline helps to keep the smell from being unbearable & you ignore the squish squish under your hiking boots :) Bonus #2 is that you are practically walking next to the Plains Zebras when they are not being too shy.

Another reason to visit this park is to see the Rhinos ... one of the "Big Five" animals that everyone comes to see in Kenya and/or East Africa. This park is a sanctuary for White Rhinos. For those who do not know, the "Big Five" are Leopard, Lion, Buffalo, Elephant, and Rhino. The leopard is the most elusive as they disappear into the tall grasses during the day and melt into the trees in the morning and night ... I've heard many stories of travellers who have yet to see one ...

We spent the night in a permanent camp just outside of the park ... similar to the one in Uganda, but less posh. The luxury here was hot water and a staff to cook you 3 meals per day. Hot water is pretty important since this time of year in Kenya is not only the dry season, but it's their winter. This means that at night, the south and central parts of the country is as cold as 13 Celcius and daytime is about 25-27. Totally manageable with the right layers. The west and east areas of the country is hot ... quite strange ...

Post your own travel photos for friends and family Pictures

01 The Birds - Flamingos	02 The Birds - Flamingos	03 The Birds - Pelicans	04 The Birds - Storks
05 The Birds - Egyptian Geese	06 The Birds - The Superb Starling	07 The Birds - Ostrich, male and female	08 First of the Big Five - White Rhino
09 The White Rhino	10 Plains Zebras	11 The Rothschild's Giraffe	12 Distinction is in the markings on the coat
13 A Chameleon	14 The Primates - Olive Baboon	15 The Primates - Vervet Monkey	16 The Primates - Black and White Colobus Monkey