Rift Valley Lakes
Lake Nakuru National Park, Lake Naivasha and Lake Elementaita lie north of Nairobi within the Great Rift Valley, which runs from the Red Sea to Mozambique.
Lake Nakuru National Park is well known for the thousands of pink flamingoes that are attracted to the alkaline lake. The fenced park also provides a sanctuary to one of the largest populations of rhinos in Kenya. Plains game such as buffaloes, impalas and waterbucks as well as the endangered Rothschild giraffes are to be found here. Leopard and lion are often seen.
Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake, where over 450 species of birds have been recorded including the majestic fish eagle. The lake is home to a large number of hippos. The shores of the lake, where a range of plains game are often spotted, are fringed with papyrus and yellow barked acacia trees.
Lake Elementaita’s shores often appear to be pink as a large number of lesser flamingoes live here as well as Kenya’s largest population of pelicans. Plains game can be seen around the southern part of the lake.