A Guide To Central Island National Park
Central Island National Park is a 5km square park in Lake Turkana, 800 km from Nairobi to Lake Turkana, then take a boat from Sibiloi National Park or from Lodwar. Access from Nairobi is by the main Nairobi-Moyale road or from Maralal to Loiengalani through Baragoi and South Horr.
Quick Facts About Central Island National Park
Here is a List of Facts about Central Island National Park
- Altitude of 1,000 – 2,000ft.
- Area of Central Island; 39 sq. km.
- Central Island was Opened on Jan. 1985
- Thousands of Fossils including
- Giant torroise behemoth 45 ft. long crocodile
About Central Island National Park
Central Island National Park serves as one of the largest breeding grounds for the Nile crocodiles and thus the Crocodile Island commonly known as Chooro by the local community. The park also has several unique species of fish, some of which are endemic to the island, thus forming the best breeding site for fish.
History of Central Island National Park
Central Island (also referred to as Crocodile Island) is one of the smallest national parks in Kenya. It is a volcanic island located in the middle of Lake Turkana in Kenya and is managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service. The island is made up of more than a dozen craters and cones, three of which are filled by small lakes. Partially, the two largest lakes fill craters up to a kilometer wide and about 80 meters deep, the floors of which are near sea level.
Also, the highest point on the dominantly basaltic island reaches 550 metres about 190 metres above the lake surface. An East to West trending chain of small eruption craters cuts the eastern side of the 3-kilometres wide island. Several small islands depict partially submerged crater rims, and other cones and lava plugs lie beneath the lake surface near the island.
Fumarolic activity is focused along the northeast to southeast rim of the central crater, and sprays of sulfur from the fumaroles were observed in the 1930, by the visitors. In 1974 intense emissions of molten sulfur and steam clouds were seen from the mainland.
Central Island National Park Animals
- The park is home to a variety of animals, including hippos, Grant gazelles, giraffes, lions, monkeys, zebras, and a wide variety of birds in Central Island National Park.
- Crocodile Lake is the most intriguing location. The largest concentration of crocodiles in one location can be found here in East Africa.
Central Island National Park Activities
Here are the top activities to enjoy at Central Island National Park:
Game Viewing
- The park hosts game animals such as Gravis Zebra, grant gazelles, crocodiles, Oryx’s, hippos, and topis. Tourists are advised to be escorted by armed guides due to the high population of crocodiles.
Nature Trail Hiking and Volcano Exploration
- The Park can offer visitors to explore the park’s volcanoes by taking guided nature walks and climbing to the top of the Flamingo volcano crater.
Bird Watching
- The Park serves as a home to more than 350 bird species, 84 of them are water species others are residential and migratory which include; African skimmers, grey herons, Egyptian geese, great egrets, sacred ibis, the Goliath heron, less egrets, Osprey, swallow-tailed kites many more.
Crocodile Watching
- Perhaps, the Central Island is the most famous natural habitat for Crocodiles the world over. The island is home to a large population of crocodiles, and between April and May is the best time to see them.
Camping and Overnight Stays
- The Park has a campsite (Chooro public) where visitors can enjoy the beauty of the only desert lake in the world.
Sport Fishing
- The park has several unique species of fish, some of which are endemic to the island. It also forms the best breeding site for fish. Sport fishing is permitted and can be done at a fee.
- Lake Turkana is home to some of the world’s venomous reptiles including the saw-scaled viper, puff adder, and cobras.
What To See At Central Island National Park
Here is what you can see at the Park:
Crocodile Kingdom
- Survivors of an epoch long before mankind, Lake Turkana’s estimated 12,000 crocodiles have not changed in 130 million years. Despite their monstrous size and formidable appearance, they are generally inoffensive creatures living in perfect harmony with their environment and feeding on the lake’s prolific fish.
- Crocodiles breed on the shores of the island’s crater lakes between April and May. The baby crocodiles can be heard squeaking in their eggs, which are buried deep beneath the sand to escape the predatory attentions of monitor raptors, and lizards. Their cries bring their parents scurrying to dig them out and carry them down to the water’s edge, where they spend their first months.
Venomous reptiles and prehistoric fish
Turkana is home to some of the world’s most venomous reptiles, including saw-scaled viper, night and puff adder, and cobra. There are also many species of fish including large tilapia and huge Nile perch. Pufferfish are normally found in seawater, indicating Turkana’s prehistoric connection to the Red Sea.
Three Crater Lakes
- Several craters have merged to form three crater lakes namely; Crocodile, Flamingo, and Tilapia Lakes. The lakes provide conducive breeding grounds for the world’s largest concentration of Nile crocodiles, and lesser flamingos, and are home to thousands of endemic fish.
Accommodation And Campsites in Central Island National Park
- Currently, Central Island National Park does not have accommodation services available. The park doesn’t offer self-catering accommodation but available are the Central Island Campsite and Chooro public campsite.
- Visitors interested in camping for the night are advised to carry tents and appropriate camping gear. For this category, standard conveniences are provided; water, toilet/ bathroom, and kitchen area.
Here are some of the Privately run tented camps on the western shores of Lake Turkana. They include;
Lobolo Camp, Lake Turkana
- It is situated on the western edge of Lake Turkana in Kenya. With 8 luxurious en-suite tents, each designed for comfort, the camp can host up to 16 guests, offering a peaceful retreat in a truly stunning natural setting.
- This area is the most northwestern part of Kenya, previously part of the Rift Valley province, and is also home to the Turkana people, who are best known for their traditional lifestyle and artisanal crafts.
Eliye Springs Resort, Turkana
- Also known as The Jewel on Lake Turkana, Eliye Springs Resort is a beachside getaway on the lake’s western shores, located about 65 kilometers from Lodwar town—an 8-hour drive from Nairobi.
- Plan flights from major cities land at Lodwar, while charter flights can reach Eliye Airstrip directly.
How to get to Central Island National Park
- By Air: Access to Lake Turkana is usually by air and there are two all-weather airstrips. Also in Loiyangalani.
- By road: The Lake is a three-day drive from Nairobi via Marsabit and North Horr, or Maralal and South Horr. Alternatively travel by road from Nairobi to Kalokol on the lake’s western shores, via Kitale and Lodwar. From Kalokol boat hire services are available to Central Island.
Central Island National Park Contacts
- Attraction Type: Wildlife, Scenery & Landscapes
- Category: National Park, Crater, Lake or River
- Region: Northern
- City / Town: Marsabit
- Telephone: 254 733 514809
- Email: centralisland@kws.go.ke
- Website: http://www.kws.org/parks/parks_reserves/SCNP.html
- Entrance Fee: Yes
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy905aJNTMI
Central Island National Park Entrance fee
Citizen
- Adult KSH 300 and Child KSH 125
Resident
- Adult KSH 300 and Child KSH 125
Non-resident
- Adult 22USD and Child 13USD
The best time to visit Central Island National Park
- The best time to visit the Park is in June and July when the temperatures are relatively cooler.
- From December to March, it is Scorching hot and extremely arid. Tourists are advised to carry plenty of snacks and drinking water.
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