This park was established and opened to visitors in June 1968. The main reason for the creation of the national park was to protect its huge flocks of the lesser flamingo. Over 1 million flamingoes in the park literally turn the shores of Lake Nakuru pink. This is a delight for ornithologists, scientists, and wildlife filmmakers.

Located at a distance of 157 kilometers from Nairobi, the park covers 188 square kilometers of land of great ecological diversity – from lake water, woodland, bush grassland, to rocky ridges. The park is located at an altitude of 4,000-5,767 feet above sea level. Although the main attraction to the park is the pink flamingos, a visitor will also get to see plenty of giraffes, waterbucks and other game. The lake and the park is also a home to over 400 bird species.