Why settle for ordinary when you can get to explore Central Island National Park Kenya, home to world’s largest Nile Crocodile population? Being surrounded by three stunning crater lakes, Central National Park is considered as an island in lake Turkana. Naicef, offers the best guide to Central Island Kenya, fun things to do and experience and places to stay.
For a quick customizable safari tour to Central Island Park, kindly reach Naicef via email my@naicef.com. Also, you can opt to call us via; +254799922277 as Naicef is the best tour company in Kenya.
We also do offer you with, top best Naicef safari package tours to attractions in Nairobi and across all the parks in Kenya.
Interesting Facts About Central Island National Park a Volcanic Hidden Gem
Also known as “Crocodile Island”, Central Island Kenya is renowned to host the world’s largest numbers of Nile Crocodiles. This gigantic reptile is considered as Africa’s largest predator and second largest in the world after Saltwater Crocodile.
Central Island Kenya is formed of three active volcanoes and other volcanic smaller cones. The volcanoes had once erupted in 1975 and since then Sulphur and Steam clouds have been observed.
Being an island in Lake Turkana, world’s largest permanent desert lake, Central National Park entails three crater lakes. They do include; Tilapia Lake, Crocodile Lake and Flamingo Lake which all can be explored and enjoy the scenic views.
Due to its locationing, Central Island National Park Kenya is considered as the furthest national park from Nairobi. It is approximated to be about 800 km away from Kenya’s capital, to the north.
The park habours a variety of scenic game encounters such as the Lion, Cheetah, Topis, Lesser Kudus, Hippos etc. It is also known to entail some of the venomous reptiles such as the Cobra, Night and the Puff Ader.
Moreover, the island in Lake Turkana boosts around 60 fish species and over 350 bird species such as the Flamingoes.
Get also to add the “Pink Lake”, a haven for these beautiful Flamingoes, to your to-visit bucket list, as it is a pristine destination.
Central Island National Park Kenya History
In 1985, Central Island Kenya was legally designated as a national park soon after South and Sibiloi National Park were established. The three parks are all found in Lake Turkana and form a major discovery of different kinds of attractions.
The park is under UNESCO world heritage sites and is managed by the KWS.
Where is Central Island National Park Crocodile Found?
The 5sq km park, is located in the middle of Lake Turkana, which is approximately 800 km north, away from Nairobi. This then makes it the furthest national park in Kenya to transit to, from Nairobi.
Accessibility
Via road; The park can alternatively be reached on road via two routes in considerate of the number of days.
i) A two days travel – This is from Nairobi to Kalokol via Kitale and Lodwar. From Kalokol, you can then access the park via a boat ride to the island in Lake Turkana.
ii) A three days travel – One may also opt to drive from Nairobi via Maralal and South Horr or Marsabit and North Horr.
Via Air; One may also access the park from Nairobi by air through the Lodwar or Kalokol Airstrips.
Attractions in Central National Park
The park entails a wide array of unexploited attractions, from the wildlife to sea life animals and their habitats. Here are the attractions consisted in the island.
a) Wildlife
The island is home to different kind of animals especially the Nile Crocodiles, Grant Gazelle’s, Topis, Lion, Hippo. This thus offers a wide array of scenic game views.
The park is also recognized as an Important Bird Area habouring over 350 bird species. Of the bird species in the island, over 30 are European migrants and 84 are water species.
Some them do include; Egyptian Geese, Sacred Ibis, Flamingoes, Goliath Heron, Swallow-tailed Kite.
b) Plant Life
The island entails some unique plant species such as the Commiphora and the Salvadora. According to the local communities, these plants do serve as medicinal plants.
Other kinds of vegetation found in the park are such as; thick grass and bushes, Acacia Woodlands and Spear grass.
c) Cultural Heritage
The park is neared by some of Kenya’s ethnic communities such as the Gabbra, Samburu and Rendile. They are known to be herding their livestocks in those arid regions of Northern Kenya.
Activities To Do In Central National Park
1.Game View Experiences
Central Island kenya, offers a wide array of wildlife species to view from the Lion, a big Five member, to the Nile Crocodiles. Some other wild species you are most likely to encounter include;
- Wild Dog
- Dik-dik
- Hyena
- Cheetah
- Caracal
- Olive Baboon
- Topis
2. Boat Ride
While visiting the park, one gets the chance to explore the lake waters and enjoy views of the Seabirds and the underwater species. Some of these underwater species include the fish such as Tilapia and Nile Perch.
It is also quite possible to be able to spot the Puffer fish, a type of fish. This tries to show that there once was a connection to the Red Sea, where they are in high numbers.
3. Bird Watching
The park is home to a wide ranging of bird species, some of them being migratory from Europe. They normally find rest in the island as they feed and prepare to return back to their home.
This then offers epic views of the different kinds especially during the migration periods.
4. Sport Fishing
Central Island National Park, offers one the opportunity to explore the lake waters and even carry out fishing. This is allowed by the KWS but at a fee, making the experiences even more exciting.
5. Nature hiking
Are you a nature enthusiast? The park gives you an opportunity to get to explore and hike up the three crater points enjoying the alluring views of the surrounding places.
Having had challenged yourself hiking through all the three craters in one day, also not forget to check out other hiking trails in Kenya.
6.Camping
The park doesn’t really comprise of accommodation facilities but camping is allowed at the designated areas. It is highly advisable for one to carry their own camping gears.
Wanna try out sleeping in an area surrounded by the largest population of Nile Crocodiles? Central Island Kenya offers two camp sites which are Central Island Campsite and Chooro Public Campsite.
Central Island National Park Entrance Fee
The following are the park fees for this hidden gem in Northern Kenya;
Central Island National Park fee for Citizen and Residents
- Adult – Ksh 300
- Child – Ksh 125
Central Island National Park fee for Non-Residents
- Adult – USD 22
- Child – USD 13
Central Island Kenya Weather
The rainfall amounts receivable per year are usually less than 250mm.
The average temperatures per year are normally 86.0 degree Celsius.
Best Time To Visit Central National Park
The best time to visit the Crocodile Island is usually between the months of June and July. This is because this are usually the coolest months as compared to other months when the climate is hot and arid.
It is usually advisable that, when you get to visit the place, you do carry plenty of drinking water for rehydration. This will ensure that you get to enjoy your experience at the island in Lake Turkana as you curb the harsh weather.
Accommodations Near Central Island National Park
Some of the accommodations suitable to stay as you enjoy your visit to this unexploited destination are such as;
a) Hotels & Resorts: They include:
- Eliye Spring Resort
- Stegra Hotel,
- Oasis Lodge Loiyangalani,
- Lodwar Acacia Residences.
b) Tented Camp sites: They are such as;
- Lobolo Tented Camp
- Tortoise Camp
- Bahamas Resort Camp
- Jade Sea Tented Camp
- Cradle Tented Camp Lodwar
Conclusion
Central Island National Park Crocodile is known to be home to world’s largest Nile Crocodile population. It is surrounded by three stunning crater lakes; Tilapia, Flamingo and Crocodile Lakes.
The park was established in 1985 and is now under the management of KWS and is also a UNESCO world heritage site.
It is located in the middle of Lake Turkana, world’s largest permanent desert lake, making it about 800km north from Nairobi.
The park being the furthest national park in Kenya from Nairobi can be accessible via road on either a 2- or 3-days travel. Via air the park can be accessible through the Lodwar or Kalokol Airstrips.
The Central Island Kenya, habours a variety of wild animals such as Lion, Cheetah, Nile Crocodile, Hippo. Also, it hosts over 350 bird species some of them being migratory from Europe and about 60 species of fish.
Moreover, the park entails unique plant species such as the Commiphora and the Salvadora.
The surrounding communities such as Gabbro, Rendile and Samburu are also some of the interesting cultures to learn.
Some of the fun things to do while visiting the island are such as; game views, hiking, camping, bird watching and sport fishing.
Best time to visit the park is usually better the months of June and July when the climatic conditions are cool.
Some of the suitable areas to spend nights as you visit the park are such as; Eliye Spring Resort, Stegra Hotel, Oasis Lodge Loiyangalani, and Lodwar Acacia Residences.
For other adventurous and discovery safari tours, reach out Naicef, the best blog in Africa giving you best packages in Africa. Get to learn some other unique interesting features of different attractions via Naicef.
Frequently Asked Questions About Central Island National Park
1. Where is Central Island National Park Lake Turkana Kenya Located?
The park is located in the middle of Lake Turkana, 800 km north from Nairobi.
2. What is the main attraction seeable in the park?
The park is worldly famous for having the largest concentration of Nile Crocodiles.
3. When is the best time to visit the park?
The cooler months, which basically are June to July.
4. Is camping allowed on the island?
Yes, of course. Camping is allowed but it is highly advisable to carry all the necessities including food supplies.
5. What are the challenges of visiting Central National Park?
Major challenges of visiting the park is usually the remoteness and the extreme heat of the area surrounding.
