Located in the Great Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru sits at an elevation of 1,745 m, and it is famous for the vast numbers of flamingos that feed off its algae. Lake Nakuru varies in size according to rainfall, and its surface area varies between 5-45 km². The park lies south of Nakuru, the fourth-largest settlement in Kenya. Feeding pressures and pollution have reduced the flamingo population in recent years, but there are now signs of recovery. Lake Nakuru National Park is also home to a large rhino population. These beasts can often be spotted lazing under the shade of the luscious acacia trees that surround the lake. Surrounded by waterfalls, cliffs, and forests, the lake is a vital water source for zebra, buffalo, and the endangered Rothschild giraffe.