Central Island National Park Entrance Fees 2024

In this article, we cover Central Island National Park Entrance Fees. The Central Island National Park, also known as Crocodile Island (commonly known as Chooro by the local community), is located in northern Kenya in the middle of Lake Turkana.

Central Island National Park is found on an island on the world’s largest permanent desert lake; it’s also known as a crocodile island composed of craters and zones. Lake Turkana is the most saline lake in Africa. The three main lakes on the central island are Crocodile Lake, Tilapia Lake and Flamingo Lake.

Central Island National Park covers an area of about 5 kilometres, which is relatively small but provides an unforgettable tourist experience in Africa. The active volcanoes pass out sulphur smells, and often the lakes are endowed with Nile crocodiles, making the island the largest place for the concentration of crocodiles. The island has very beautiful scenery, including a magnificent lake and scant island vegetation. The park provides archaeological and paleontological sites; the island is one of the world’s pristine natural places, not tempered by its natural state.

Central Island National Park Activities

1. Game Viewing

Despite being a small central island national park, it offers visitors opportunities to view wildlife such as crocodiles, hippos, topis, Grevis zebra, grant gazelles, oryxes, and giraffes. The crocodile population is so high that you must move with an armed guide.

2. Bird Watching

Central Island National Park boasts over 350 species, of which over 84 are water birds; others are migratory, while some are residential, including grey herons, Goliath herons, African skimmers, Egyptian geese, great egrets, fewer egrets, sacred ibis, osprey, and swallow-tailed kites, among others.

3. Boat Rides

Tourists can enjoy boat rides from one of the lakes or start from Kalokol Gate, which offers the reward of viewing aquatic animals and water birds. The launch can also be packed.

4. Camping

This is a perfect place to camp in Kenya because of the park’s unique location, which makes it the most stunning and amazing activity done in the park. You are exposed to nature in the park and also have incredible views of the lakes.

5. Nature-guided walks

The nature-guided walks are thrilling while you hike to the island’s highest elevation and have striking views of the magnificent lakes and scenery. Tourists hiking to the top of the Flamingo Crater will come across many interesting sites on the way and, most importantly, breathtaking views of the whole park. Butterflies, dragonflies and insects are also to be expected.

6. Fishing

Besides an unforgettable fishing experience, you will enjoy the wild beauty of the islands and their abundant birdlife. Fishing is normally done around Central Island, Kampi Turkana on the east side, and around the Alia Bay area in Sibiloi National Park. At times and on request, it can be done on the South Island.

Central Island National Park Entry Fees

High Season (July–February)

EAC Citizen/Resident (Ksh) Charges
Adult Ksh 300
Child/Student Ksh 250
Rest of Africa (US$)
Adult 20 USD
Child/Student 15 USD
International Visitors (US$)
Adult 25 USD
Child/Student 15 USD

Low Season (March–June)

EAC Citizen/Resident (Ksh) Charges
Adult Ksh 250
Child/Student Ksh 200
Rest of Africa (US$)
Adult 15 USD
Child/Student 10 USD
International Visitors (US$)
Adult 20 USD
Child/Student 15 USD

Central Island National Park Contacts

Phone: 054 21223

Davies Kinanga

Hi! I’m Davies Kinanga, author of Kenya’s top travel blog, Twende Sasa. My goal is to make #TembeaKenya simple, affordable, and exciting! Here, you'll find travel tips, genuine reviews, and top places to visit in all 47 counties. I hope you enjoy reading the articles here as much as I do writing them! Please feel free to drop a comment, or reach out via the Contact Form.

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