Lake Nakuru National Park

Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya's Rift Valley is famous for the enormous flocks of flamingos that once turned its shores pink — and for being one of Africa's best rhino sanctuaries. The park is home to both black and white rhino and is one of the most reliable places in East Africa to see them at close range. Beyond rhinos, the varied habitat supports lions, leopards, waterbuck, and Rothschild's giraffe, one of the world's most endangered giraffe subspecies. The dramatic Rift Valley scenery and the lake's constantly shifting birdlife make it a rewarding half-day stop on the way between Nairobi and the Masai Mara.