This National Park in Kenya Is Home to More Than a Million Flamingos

But one beautiful (and colorful) animal tourists may not think about also lives in several regions of the country: the African flamingo. These majestic birds are usually seen flocking in bodies of water like lakes and seasonal watering holes in national parks. Between December and April, a particularly large population collects around Lake Nakuru National Park, where an estimated 800,000 — or perhaps up to 1.5 million — African flamingos come together to breed and feed. And, it turns out, to be photographed by safari-goers.

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The flamingos are in the park year-round, but the population usually peaks when the lake is shallowest, allowing easy access to algae. December through early April is the driest of the dry seasons, but July and August can also be good. Kenya’s weather can vary drastically year-to-year,  however, so there are no guarantees. But since there are so many African flamingos in the park, even if most have gone somewhere else, you’ll still likely see hundreds.

Flamingo species in the park

Lesser flamingos have dark beaks, almost bordering on black. Photo: AMARJEETSINH JHALA/Shutterstock

Kenya is home to two species of flamingos: the lesser flamingo and the greater flamingo. The greater flamingo is the most widely distributed African flamingo, inhabiting both freshwater and brackish wetlands across central and eastern Africa. The lesser flamingo, however, breeds primarily in shallow soda lakes located around the country’s continental rift. You’ll find both species of African flamingos around Lake Nakuru. The easiest way to tell the difference is by looking at the birds’ bills, as greater flamingos have light pink bills with black tips, and lesser flamingos have dark red and pink beaks (also with black at the end). Lesser flamingos also tend to be much more of a vivid pink, though diet can influence their color as much as species.

Getting there

The park is accessible by air or car and various safari tours are available to guide visitors through the park and its wealth of flora and fauna. Accommodations range from camping within the grounds of the park to more luxurious lodges. The park is about 96 miles from Nairobi, so it’s possible to drive yourself. But if you’d prefer not to do the leg work, you’ll find plenty of options from tour companies that visit the African flamingos of Lake Nakuru. Good options include organized tours with five-star safaris with companies like andBeyond or Abercrombie and Kent to more budget-friendly road trip safaris from companies like Sun Safaris or Eco Adventure Safaris.