By
Karen Elowitt
Courtesy of
Kenya Tourism
Every year in Kenya, from April through June,
some of the most beautiful creatures in the world converge upon the country.
But it’s not leopards nor zebras — it’s flamingos making their annual
migration! Thousands, sometimes millions of flamingos
flock to the Rift Valley Lakes of East Africa – specifically Lake Bogoria and
Lake Nakuru — turning the lakes into vision of constantly moving pink.
Lake Nakuru is famous for its huge
flocks of flamingos that gather in the shallow soda lake (a lake with high
alkalinity) in the Rift Valley. Drawn to its warm waters, the flamingos, along
with hundreds of other bird species, blanket the surface of the lake giving the
impression that you’ve just entered a real-life Candyland. Lake Nakuru also
serves as a sanctuary for endangered black and white rhinos, and offers a good
shot at spotting baboons, lions, gazelles, and the elusive leopard, among
others.
Lake Bogoria, located about 60km from Nakuru town, is a saline lake which
boasts not only the yearly flamingo migration, but also steam geysers and
hot springs. It’s a popular destination for those seeking to soak in the
healing mineral water while enjoying the spectacular Kenya wildlife.
The
two species of flamingo you’ll see at these lakes are the Greater Flamingo (the
largest of the flamingo species) and the Lesser Flamingo (found in sub-Saharan
Africa and India). These are both distinct from the American Flamingo you’ll
find in the United States.The flamingos’ pink
color comes from the pigments in the organisms they eat, such as pink shrimp
and algae. Effectively, the flamingo’s diet determines its color. The number of
flamingos you’ll see at either lakes depends on a lake’s quantity of algae.
Less algae, fewer flamingos, and vice versa.
