Central Island National Park earns its local nickname “Chooro” — Crocodile Island — for a genuinely staggering reason: it is the breeding ground for the largest concentration of Nile crocodiles on Earth, part of a Lake Turkana population estimated at 12,000 and essentially unchanged for 130 million years. This volcanic island sits almost at the heart of the world’s largest permanent desert lake, formed by three merged craters now filled with distinct lakes nicknamed Crocodile, Flamingo and Tilapia. Picture standing at the rim of a crater lake in April or May, hearing baby crocodiles squeaking inside eggs buried in the sand as parents rush to dig them free. Sense of Adventure treats Central Island as one of the most genuinely extraordinary, least-visited destinations in the entire country.
See the World’s Largest Crocodile Breeding Ground
A volcanic island in the middle of Africa’s largest desert lake — message us to talk through a Central Island trip.
A Volcanic Island With Three Lakes Inside It
Central Island is a volcanic island composed of more than a dozen craters and cones, three of which have filled with distinct crater lakes — Crocodile, Flamingo and Tilapia — the two largest up to a kilometre wide and roughly 80 metres deep. The island sits within Lake Turkana, the world’s largest permanent desert lake and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is globally renowned as the primary breeding ground for the lake’s roughly 12,000 Nile crocodiles, which breed on the crater lake shores between April and May. The lake itself is nicknamed the Jade Sea for the striking blue-green colour algae blooms give its water, a dramatic contrast against the surrounding arid desert landscape that makes the approach to the island as memorable as the island itself.
Hearing our guide explain that these crocodiles have been breeding here essentially unchanged for 130 million years put the whole visit in a completely different perspective. Standing at the crater rim looking down at three separate lakes on one small volcanic island is unlike anywhere else I’ve been in Africa.
— Sense of Adventure guest, Lake Turkana expedition
The 6 Things That Make Central Island Extraordinary
The World’s Largest Crocodile Breeding Ground — earning the local name “Crocodile Island”
Central Island is globally renowned as the breeding ground for the largest concentration of Nile crocodiles on the planet, part of Lake Turkana’s estimated 12,000-strong crocodile population — a genuinely staggering scale most visitors never expect.
Three Crater Lakes on One Island — Crocodile, Flamingo and Tilapia lakes
Volcanic craters on the island have merged and filled to form three distinct crater lakes, the two largest up to a kilometre wide and around 80 metres deep — an unusual, layered geology within a single small island.
Crocodile Breeding Season — April and May, eggs buried in the sand
Crocodiles breed on the shores of the crater lakes between April and May, burying eggs deep in the sand to protect them from monitor lizards and raptors — visitors during this window can sometimes hear hatchlings squeaking before parents dig them free.
Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site — Lake Turkana National Parks designation
Central Island forms part of the Lake Turkana National Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised for both its geological significance and its globally important wildlife populations.
Strong Bird Life Too — 350+ species including large flamingo flocks
Beyond crocodiles, the island and surrounding lake support more than 350 recorded species including large flocks of flamingos, alongside roughly 60 recorded fish species in the wider lake.
A Genuinely Remote, Expedition-Style Visit — best planned as a custom northern Kenya trip
Reaching Central Island requires real logistical planning as part of a northern Kenya/Lake Turkana circuit — this is arranged as a tailor-made itinerary rather than a standard package, so message us to talk through timing and logistics.
Getting There by Boat — the only way onto the island itself
Central Island is reachable only by boat from the lake shore, adding a genuinely different mode of travel to a Kenya itinerary otherwise built around vehicles and light aircraft — plan for calm-weather timing, since Lake Turkana is known for sudden, strong winds.
A Genuinely Rare African Wildlife Spectacle
Message us to plan a Lake Turkana expedition built around your specific interests and dates.
Central Island National Park Facts
- Location: a volcanic island roughly in the centre of Lake Turkana, northern Kenya.
- Local name: “Chooro” (Crocodile Island), for its crocodile breeding population.
- Crater lakes: three — Crocodile, Flamingo and Tilapia — the largest up to 1 km wide and ~80 m deep.
- Crocodiles: part of Lake Turkana’s estimated 12,000-strong Nile crocodile population, essentially unchanged for 130 million years.
- Breeding season: April to May, eggs buried in sand on the crater lake shores.
- UNESCO status: part of the Lake Turkana National Parks World Heritage Site.
Combining Central Island With a Lake Turkana Circuit
Central Island is often paired with South Island National Park and Sibiloi National Park for a full Lake Turkana expedition. Message us on WhatsApp and we’ll build a realistic custom itinerary around the logistics involved.
Standing on an Island of Living Crater Lakes
A genuinely rare wildlife and geological spectacle. Message us to plan your Lake Turkana trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Central Island National Park called Crocodile Island?
Central Island is nicknamed “Chooro” (Crocodile Island) because it is the breeding ground for the largest concentration of Nile crocodiles in the world, part of Lake Turkana’s estimated 12,000-strong crocodile population.
What are the three lakes on Central Island?
Central Island holds three crater lakes formed from merged volcanic craters — Crocodile Lake, Flamingo Lake and Tilapia Lake — the two largest up to a kilometre wide and roughly 80 metres deep.
When do crocodiles breed at Central Island National Park?
Nile crocodiles breed on the shores of Central Island’s crater lakes between April and May, burying their eggs in sand to protect them from predators before parents dig hatchlings free.
Is Central Island part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Yes — Central Island National Park is part of the Lake Turkana National Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised for its volcanic geology and globally significant crocodile and bird populations.
Is Central Island National Park easy to visit?
No — Central Island is a remote destination within Lake Turkana requiring genuine expedition-style planning as part of a northern Kenya circuit, best arranged as a custom itinerary rather than a standard safari package.
