Central Island National Park
Central Island N. Park is almost in the middle of Lake Turkana, The Jade Sea. It’s a designated world heritage site and covers an area of about 5sqkms. Emerging starkly from the blue-green waters of the largest permanent desert lake in the world, Lake Turkana, the Central 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; Crocodile, Flamingo and Tilapia Lakes. The lakes provide conducive breeding grounds for the world’s largest concentration of Nile crocodiles and home to thousands of endemic fish.
By road: The park is a two-day 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.
Alternatively, the Lake 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 take with you
Personal effects, drinking water, food, camping equipment, camera, binoculars, sunscreen, insect repellant, first aid kit, sunglasses, appropriate hiking gear and reserve car fuel. Please note the vehicles are left at the KWS camp in Kalokol, on the western shores of Lake Turkana.
Any boat entering the park should dock at officially designated sites.
CENTRAL ISLAND NATIONAL PARK |
Citizen |
Resident |
Non-Resident |
|||
|
Adults KSH |
Child KSH |
Adult KSH |
Child KSH |
Adult USD |
Child
|
|
| 300 | 125 |
300 |
125 |
22 |
13 |
|
MODE OF PAYMENT: Through Ecitizen (https://kws.ecitizen.go.ke/ ) via MPesa, Visa Card, RTGS ,Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
The park is a bird’s paradise that acts as a stopover for migratory birds from Europe who feed and rest here as they return home spectacularly viewed between the months of March and May. Resident birds like the Egyptian goose also breed here. The Park is a spectacular home for over 23 migrant birds and it is an important bird area – IBA.
Central Island National Park is 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 harbors several unique species of fish, while some of them are endemic to the island. It forms the best breeding site for fish. Sport fishing is allowed and can be done at a fee.
Lake Turkana is home to some of the world’s venomous reptiles that include the saw-scaled viper, puff adder and cobras. Species of fish include the huge Nile Perch, large Tilapia and puffer fish a group normally found in seawaters which shows Turkana Prehistoric connection to the Red Sea. There are also some important plant species in the island. Some of these include commiphora spp and salvadora spp which cannot be found on the western shores of the lake and are regarded as having some medicinal properties.
Visitors can enjoy game viewing, camping, boating, nature trail hiking, sport fishing and sightseeing. Boats for hire are available and negotiable with the local community, on the eastern and the western shores of Lake Turkana.
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 here. The park is Important Bird Area (IBA) and is home to more than 23 migrant birds species.
Lake Turkana is home to some of the world’s venomous reptiles that include the saw-scaled viper, puff adder and cobras. Species of fish include the huge Nile Perch, large Tilapia and puffer fish, the latter of which are present in seawaters which indicates Lake Turkana’s prehistoric connection to the Red Sea. Plant species in the island include commiphora spp and salvadora spp which are regarded as having some medicinal properties.
Visitors can enjoy game viewing, camping, boating, nature trail hiking, sport fishing and sightseeing. Boats for hire are available and negotiable with the local community, on the eastern and the western shores of Lake Turkana.
Chooro public campsite is the only accommodation within then park.
Visitors are advised to bring tents and appropriate camping gear.
Standard amenities are provided; water, toilet/bathroom and kitchen area. This campsite does not require prior booking.
Alternative accommodation options;
There are privately ran tented camps at the western shores of L.Turkana i.e. The Jade Sea tented journeys camp at Lobolo, Napak and Christine’s tented camps at Eliye Springs, Eliye Springs Resort, Tortoise camp, Bahamas resort camp, St. Teresa catholic tented camp at Eliye and the Fimbo campsite at Kalokol Impreza Beach.
Park Rules: Any boat entering the park should dock at officially designated sites.
Email: kwslodwarstn@kws.go.ke
