Central Island National Park Kenya; Central Island National park might be Kenya’s less visited safari destination by the tourists, a home known as crocodile island which is composed of dozens of crater and cones and other three which are filled by crater lakes which are Crocodile Lake, Flamingo Lake and Tilapia Lake which provide breeding space for the world’s vast population of Nile crocodiles. More so, the largest two lakes partially that fills the craters up to the long kilometers and deeps over 80 meters long, the floor of the lake are close to sea water level. More about, the Island its highest point raises about 550 meter about 190 meter above the lake surface.
Location; Ideally, this Island is located in the middle of Lake Turkan famously known as the largest permanent desert lake in the world that forms blue-green waters in Isolic icon formula.
Central Island is composed of volcanic Island made up of three active volcanoes that belch sulphurous steam and smoke. Additional to that, there is no worry of about the safety of the national park. Central Island National Park is safe and secure to be visited, protected and managed by ‘’KWS’’ Kenya Wildlife Service and it’s on the list of the UNSECO World Heritage Site.
Furthermore, the park is found on altitude measuring about 355 meters above the sea level and experiences climate which is both hot and arid which tends to happen from December to March, although July can be the coolest month. Then May to September happens to experience strong winds which commonly blows during morning hours and evenings. More then, about the climate changes, the area usually receives less rainfall of about 250 millimeters per annum and in some area it takes years to rain.
Where to stay on safari to Central National Park; The park boosts with safe and comfortable camp along the Island in a well-organized campsite in order to enjoy the haunting experience of the lake’s luminous waters, on visit here you can be able to wash up onto a black lava beach and getting more of gainful view of the moon as it rises over the menacingly smoking craters hence having privileged life time on African Desert Island.
Size of Central Island National Park; The park measures about 5 square kilometers that lies is desert areas of Kenya and is among the least visited Kenya Safari Destination. Although its small in size, you can hang out with beautiful variety of attractions as listed blow;
Crocodile Kingdom
Since the park lies along the gorgeous lake Turkan which is renowned for inhabiting huge concentration of Crocodiles that estimates 12,000 crocodiles for the last 130 million years. In fact, it is also formed as volcanic Island where you can see number of crocodile’s species that have been existing for years. Generally inoffensive living nature is perfectly cool in harmony in their nature inhabitants while feeding on the lake’s prolific fish.
Venomous reptiles and prehistoric fish
Visit Lake Turkana one of the place known in the world to protect some of venomous reptile like night and puff adder, cobra and saw-scaled viper. More so, it’s a home to variety of fish species like Nile perch and large tilapia. There is puffer fish which is a group of fish found in seawater that indicates Turkan’s prehistoric fish to the Red sea.
Encounter World’s Largest Crocodile Nursery Site
Lake Turkan is a home of crocodiles which can be seen when they out of water for breeding and they normally breed on the shores of the Island’s crater lakes between the month of April and May. After breeding their babies can be heard squeaking in their eggs. Note, crocodile can egg burry their deep beneath the Island’s sand and are hidden to escape the predatory attention of raptors and monitor lizards.
Then after baby crocodile squeaks out their eggs in the sand, later on they ca n be heard crying a sound that brings their parents scurrying to dig them out and carry them down to the water’s edge for their first month of nursing.
Birding-Birdlife
Central Island is also a good stopping destination for birding hosting more than 90 water birds ,34 species are European migrants which are best viewed between March and May. The residential bird species include; Goliath heron, African open –billed stork, Duck and Gulls feed on the shores which also attracts lesser flamingos as well as the prey birds swallow tailed kites.
Things to do in Central Island National Park
Game viewing
Even though the park is small in size, you can enjoy game viewing around and animals to see includes; Gravis Zebra, Grant gazelles, Crocodiles, Oryx’s, hippos, topis, crocodile and along your game viewing, we advise you to always go with armed guide because of huge number of crocodile on the Island for your safety.
Bird watching
The park hosts over 350 bird species and 84 are water species and rest are residential which are African skimmers, grey heron, Egyptian geese, great egrets, Goliath heron, Sacred ibis, Osprey, Swallow tailed kites among others.
Boat Rides
You can enjoy the boat ride from one of the lake and get rewarded of viewing aquatic animal species and water birds.
Guided nature walks
The area around the Island is warm and favorable to walk along this stunning Island and be able to have great views of the vibrant lakes and scenery. You can also hike to the top of the thrilling flamingo crater where you can come across amazing sites on the way as unwind fresh air and gainful view of the park.
How to get there;
By Car
Central Island national park can be accessed by car from Nairobi pass via Mars bit and North Horr or South Horr.
Alternatively, you can travel from Nairobi to Kalokol on the Lake’s western shores passing via Kitale and Lodwar. From Kalokol traveler can hire boat services which are available to Central Island.
Travel by Air
It is very possible to access lake Turkan by domestic flight since the park boosts with two weather airstrips.
Get started planning now a visit to Kenya’s Central Island National park a famous home for high population of crocodiles and other wildlife animals. You can choose to combine a visit to Central Island to other Kenya’s most visited safari destinations such as a visit to Amboseli National Park, Maasai Mara Reserve, Kenya City Tour or visit the beaches –Mombasa Marine National park.
