The Central Island National Park sits on a volcanic island in the middle of Lake Turkana, the world's largest desert lake. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, it shelters an exceptional concentration of Nile crocodiles and three crater lakes set within an arid volcanic landscape.

Why visit Central Island

The island's appeal rests on three rarely combined characteristics: residual volcanism marked by fumaroles and crater cones, dense reptilian fauna with over 12,000 Nile crocodiles, and rich birdlife comprising 86 recorded species, including 34 European migrants. The site is managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service, which oversees its protection and stewardship.

Difficult access and low visitor numbers make it a park apart in Kenya: visitors come for geology, wildlife observation and remoteness, not creature comforts.

History and UNESCO status

Central Island is part of the Lake Turkana National Parks, a group inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in the late 1990s, with further extensions in the years that followed. The inscription recognizes both the geological value of the basin, its importance for studying human evolution—Lake Turkana's shores have yielded some of the oldest known hominid fossils—and its role as habitat for crocodiles, hippopotamuses and migratory birds.

The island itself is a volcanic apparatus with lingering fumarolic activity. The southern landscapes, particularly mineral-rich, have inspired local tales peopled with spirits and invisible presences.

What to see and do

The three crater lakes

The heart of the visit centers on walking routes to the three bodies of water nestled in the island's craters:

• Crocodile Lake: harbors the majority of breeding crocodiles; egg-laying occurs with the first spring rains, eggs buried in sand and subject to predation by monitor lizards and birds of prey.
• Tilapia Lake: populated by fish species that lent their name to the crater.
• Flamingo Lake: frequented by flamingos that exploit its brackish waters.

Descent to the craters is on foot, along short trails exposed to sun and wind.

Nile crocodiles

The island is sometimes dubbed Crocodile Island owing to its population estimated at over 12,000 individuals. Crocodilians represent an ancient lineage present on Earth for roughly 130 million years, which explains the scientific interest in this concentration. The breeding season, at the start of the rains, offers opportunity to observe nesting behavior and hatching on sandy beaches.

Birdwatching

Along the shores and within the craters, flamingos, gulls, Goliath herons, tufted ducks, African openbills, and raptors such as swallow-tailed kites are seen. In all, 86 species have been identified, including 34 migrants from Europe.

Forest and flora

Deciduous acacia and mustard tree forest covers parts of the island. The bark of the mustard tree is traditionally used by local populations as a toothbrush, a practice illustrating the medicinal and utilitarian value of this arid flora.

When to visit

The climate is desert-like, with low rainfall spread across the year. Visits are possible over a wide period, but two windows should be avoided for those traveling by road:

• April and November, months when rains severely degrade northern Kenya's tracks.
• The hottest hours of the day for walks on the island, given limited vegetation cover.

The crocodile breeding season, at the start of spring, offers a prime observation window.

Getting there

Access is by air or overland, then necessarily by boat from the lake's west shore.

• By air: charter flights to Loyiangalani or Sibiloi, then transfer to Kalokol, the main embarkation port for Central Island.
• By road: allow around three days of track travel from Nairobi. The route permits intermediate stops, notably in Marsabit National Reserve and at the North Horr oasis.
• Final crossing: motorized boat from Kalokol to the island.

Practical information

• Management: Kenya Wildlife Service.
• Entry fees: payable for foreign visitors, with separate adult/child rates; fees are reviewed periodically by the KWS.
• Safety: an armed ranger escort is mandatory during visits, due to the presence of cobras and vipers, and direct proximity to crocodiles.
• Equipment: ample water, closed-toe shoes, sun protection, wind-resistant clothing (Lake Turkana is known for its gusts).
• Accommodation: no facilities on the island; overnight stays are in Kalokol or Loyiangalani.

Nearby attractions

Several sites complement a visit to Central Island in the Lake Turkana region:

• Lake Turkana itself and its fishing villages.
• The Koobi Fora archaeological site, also UNESCO-listed, renowned for its hominid fossils.
• Mount Sibiloi and Sibiloi National Park on the eastern shore.

To extend your experience of Kenya's national parks, consider the Aberdare National Park or Hell's Gate National Park, both more accessible from Nairobi.

Frequently asked questions

Plan your trip

Central Island fits into a lengthy itinerary requiring careful logistical planning. To integrate this park into a wider circuit of northern Kenya, explore our Kenya journeys.