Nakuru Kenya

Classic World Ventures                                                                 Nakuru, the provincial capital of Kenya's Rift Valley and currently the fourth largest urban centre in the country, lies about 1850 m above sea level

The history of Nakuru can be traced to the prehistoric period due to the archeological discoveries located about 8 km from the Central Business District at the Hyrax hill reserve. Nakuru is Kenya's 3rd largest residency. However, the modern town, as with many others in Kenya, derives its name from the Maasai speaking people of Kenya. Nakuru was established by the British as part of the White highlands during the colonial era and it has continued growing into a cosmopolitan town. It received township status in 1904 and became municipality in 1952.

The history of Kenya as a country is closely intertwined with that of Nakuru as a town and a district. The first and second presidents of Kenya maintained their semi-official residents within the town, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, and within the district, Mzee Daniel arap Moi. The town was for a long time been the hotbed of Kenyan politics and it was home to a variety of colorful politicians including the late Kariuki Chotara, Kihika Kimani and the late Mirugi Kariuki. Nakuru is a sister city of East Orange. New Jersey.

Tourism is an important economic activity in Nakuru. The town, and the region, is endowed with vast resources that make tourism a key income source. Nakuru is home to Lake Nakuru, one of the Rift valley soda lakes, which forms part of the Lake Nakuru National Park. The park is famous for the vast numbers of flamingoes that can be seen foraging in the shallow lake. The park also has many wild animals that can be seen during a safari. Apart from the animals numerous other sites of interest are accessible from Nakuru. These include Menengai crater, a dormant volcano. Small fumaroles and steam vents can regularly be observed within the forested caldera from above. The second largest surviving volcanic crater in the world, it plunges 483 m down from the rim and the summit is accessible by foot or vehicle 8 km from the main road to Nyahururu. The wood-covered crater ground is a nature reserve.

Although Lake Bogoria and Lake Baringo are in Baringo District, they are easily accessible from Nakuru. These are major tourist attraction sites too.

The Rift valley sports club lies in the centre of the town. A number of sporting activities are hosted at this club and popular among them is cricket. The local Indian community can be found at cricket fixtures throughout the year. The town hosts an annual rugby festival dubbed "The Great Rift 10-a-side" which features teams from across the East Africa region.

Hydrax Hill Prehistoric Site, discovered by the Leakey’s in 1926, is considered a major Neolithic and Iron age site. The adjoining museum features finds from various nearby excavations. 

When I hear of Nakuru, I think of the breathtaking sight of flamingoes, joined into a massive flock in thousands, fringe the shores of this soda lake. A pulsing pink swathe of life that carpeting the water.

The lake has become world famous for these birds, who visit the lake to feed on algae that forms on the lake bed. They move back and forth, feeding and occasionally and spectacularly taking to flight, filling the sky over the lake with colour.
The lake is extremely variable in size- changing from 5 up to 30 sq kms in area.
Nakuru National Park is within the lake and an important sanctuary for Rhino. You can find both Black and White Rhino here, and are often seen resting under acacias by the Lake shore.

The park abounds with game. There are huge herds of waterbuck, zebra, buffalo, the endangered Rothschild Giraffe and more.
This is one of your best chances of seeing Leopard in Kenya, and there are several large prides of Lion.
Exploring beyond the lake is always rewarding and there are forests, cliffs, waterfalls and more to be found here.

 

                                                                   

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