To mark the end of the week and the beginning of the Geology module Dr. Martins, joined by geology professor Dr. Craig Feibel, took the students on a boat trip to Central Island. This is the middle island of Lake Turkana, which houses three spectacular crater lakes – Flamingo Lake, Crocodile Lake, and Tilapia Lake.
Aerial view of Central Island. Anti-clockwise from left: Flamingo Lake, Crocodile Lake, Tilapia Lake.
After an early morning start, a river crossing on foot, and an hour’s truck ride, the students arrived at Kalokol fishing village, where they boarded a KWS motor boat bound for Central Island.
Students clamber into the boat at Kalokol fishing village.
The wind and waves can be very rough out on the lake, but luckily, today it was calm with only the occasional bumps and glides through the air which caused a lot of excitement all round.
On the boat…
Once on the island Dr. Feibel guided the students up a steep incline to the top of the ridge of Flamingo Lake. Here, Dr. Feibel and Dr. Martins talked a little about the geology and ecology of the island and the crater lakes as the students took in the landscape. And what a view it was!
Flamingoes in flight across the lake.
The students then headed down to the lake shore for a walk around the perimeter.
Heading down to Flamingo Lake…
It was a beautiful walk with many different flowers, butterflies, bees and birds along the way; and every time we got close to the flamingoes cooling off by the shore, they would take off in mass to another part of the lake.
Flamingo Lake (click to enlarge).
Students pose for a group photo down by Flamingo Lake.
After the short hike, the students piled back into the boat and headed to another part of the island to have lunch and see Crocodile Lake, home to a large population of Nile crocodiles.
By this time it was getting very hot, so only a few student braved the hike up to the peak overlooking both Lake Turkana and Crocodile Lake. It was well worth it though, as the landscape was truly spectacular!
View of Crocodile Lake and Lake Turkana from the peak (click to enlarge).
Dr. Feibel and the students who made it to the top of the peak.
It was a long day out in the heat and sun, and the students returned to TBI tired and a little rosy on their noses and cheeks; but they also returned with big smiles and many fond memories of a wonderful day spent in such a beautiful place.
Professors and students at Dry Crater, near Crocodile Lake.
