South and Central Island National Parks
These remote and wild parks, along with Sibiloi National Park, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The Park offers visitors some stunning scenery and excelent bird watching opportunities with flamingos, pelicans and water birds.
It is an important stopover for migrant waterfowl, home to large breeding colonies of hippo and Nile crocodile and also has several species of venomous snakes. South Island is also the home of the El Molo tribe, of which there are only thought to be 500 individuals.
Central Island National Park is difficult to reach and is in effect a small active volcano with three saline crate lakes known as flamingo, Crocodile and Tilapia. It is believed to support the world´s largest population of Nile crocodiles. Along the shoreline, there are plains and grevy´s zebra, topi, oryx, reticulated giraffe, greater kudu and grants gazelle.
Location: Lake Turkana, Marsabit district, Eastern Province. Most northerly of the Great Rift Valley lakes.
Distance from Nairobi: 800 Km
Size: 44 square KM
Climatic Conditions: Hot and arid (especially December-March) June and July are the coolest months.
May-September very strong winds in morning and evening. Rainfall less than 250 mm per annum. In some places it may not rain several years.
Major attraction: Thre crater lakes – Lake Crocodile – Lake Flamingo – Lake Tilapia; active volcano, venomous rptiles and pre-historic fish.
Wildlife:
Reptiles/Fish: estimated 12,000 crocodiles, saw-scaled viper, night and puff adder, cobra
Birdlife: Over 84 water-bird species and various birds of prey
Access
Roads: 800 Km from Nairobi to Lake Turkana, then take a boat from Sibiloi National Park or from Lodwar.
Acess from Nairobi is by the main Nairobi-Moyale road or from Naralal to Loyangolani through Baragoi and South Horr
Aristripes: Two Airstrips at Sibiloi
Accomodation:Oasis Lodge, Lobolo Tented Camp
Bandas: KWS Selfcatering: Allia Bay Guesthouse
Best time to Visit: All year round
Activities: Crocodile hatching, viewing, camping