Central island National Park is located in Kenya almost in the middle of Lake Turkana, the largest permanent desert in the world. It is a designated world Heritage site and covers an area of approximately 5 square kilometres.The island is made up of three active volcanoes that belch sulphurous smoke and steam. Out of this, several craters have merged to form three crater lakes namely; Nile crocodile, flamingo and tilapia lakes. These lakes provide conducive breeding grounds for the world’s largest concentration of Nile crocodiles thus the crocodile island commonly known as Chooro by the local community. The island is also a home to thousands of endemic fish. It forms the best breeding site for fish.
Key attractions and activities at central island National Park
Birdwatching
The park is a bird’s paradise that serves as a stopover for migratory birds from Europe which feed and rest here on their homeward journey. This spectacular migration happens between the months of march and may. Resident birds like the Egyptian goose also breed in lake Turkana. The park is an Important Bird Area and home to more than 23 migrant bird species. Among other birds to spot are Reed cormorant, great cormorant, greater flamingo, African skimmer, hadada ibis, black winged stilt, Gray hooded gull, caspien tern, African fish eagle, common sand piper and much more.
Reptiles
Lake Turkana is home to some of the world’s venomous reptiles that include the saw scaled viper, puff adder and cobras.
Fish species
Some of the fish species in lake Turkana include the huge Nile perch, large tilapia and puffer fish, they are present in seawaters which indicates lake Turkana’s prehistoric connection to the red sea.
Boat cruise
Visitors can enjoy cruising on lake Turkana as they spot reptiles and birds. Boats are always ready for hire from the local community.
Sport fishing
The park offers sport fishing on lake Turkana; visitors are allowed to fish using the appropriate fishing tools. The common type of fish caught during this activity is the Nile perch.
Nature walks
The park has several hiking and nature walks trails offering hike to the top of flamingo crater. A Guided nature walk is an exciting activity to explore the park and breathtaking views of the entire park where you get an opportunity to spot wildlife such as Topi, grants gazelle and butterflies.
How to get there
The park can be accessed by Road and Air transport.By road, The park is a 2-day travel by road from Nairobi to Kalokol on the lake’s shores, via kitale and Lodwar. From Kalokol, boat hire services are available to central island. Alternatively, to reach lake Turkana is a three-day drive from Nairobi via Marsabit and North Horr, or Maralal and south Horr. By Air, Access to western side of lake Turkana is ordinarily by air and there are all weather airstrips in Lodwar and Kalokol.
What to pack
Visitors travelling to the park should pack camera, binocular, sunscreen, insect repellent, first aid kit, drinking water, food, sunglasses, appropriate hiking gear and camping equipment.
Accommodations at Central Island National Park
There are a variety of camps and lodges such as Christine’s tented camp, napak tented camp, jade sea tented camp, Eliye springs Resort, Tortoise camp, oasis lodge, Bahamas resort camp, fimbo camp, Malabo resort, palm shade lodge, desert rose camp, ceamo prestige lodge, lobolo camp, proland inn hotel, solmar gracious hotel, great turk reef hotel, cradle tented camp and others.
Park rules and regulations
- Check local weather and lake conditions before visiting the waters
- Adhere to park entry and exit times, unless you are an overnight visitor, always exit the park before 6pm.
- Do not litter the park
- Be are of crocodiles