Saiwa-Swamp-National-Park-The smallest national park in Kenya
A dense, vibrantly green realm of swamp, bulrushes, sedges and surrounding riverine forest, Saiwa Swamp – Kenya’s smallest national park, was created specifically to protect the habitat of the rare and endangered semi-aquatic Sitatunga antelope. Rarely visited, well-off the tourist track but charmingly rewarding, this compact Park is unique in that it is the only place in Kenya where vehicles are prohibited and the walker reigns supreme.
Fact File
Altitude: 1,860-1,880 m.
Area: 3 sq km.
Location: Cherangani Hills of Trans-Nzoiya – Rift Valley Province
Distance from Nairobi: 400 km north-west of Nairobi.
Gazetted: Gazetted as a National Park in 1974.
Climate: Typical African wetland climate, ranging from warm to cool and humid to semi-arid (wet seasons March-June and October-November).
Vegetation: Swamp and riverine forest, tall bullrushes and sedge.
Wildlife: Sitatunga, monkey, spotted-necked otter, giant forest squirrel, leopard, bushbuck, ratel and African civet.
Birds: 372 species including such rarities as Ross’ turaco and the blue-headed coucal.
Roads: The Park has no roads, only walking trails.
One of only two parks in Kenya where you can go walkabout
This Park is unique in that it is only accessible by foot. Traversed by some 7 km of well-maintained wooden walkways and trails, it also offers three timbered viewing platforms where you can stake yourself out for a glimpse of the elusive Sitatunga antelope. Well-marked trails skirt the perimeter of the swamp, which can also be traversed via the wooden duckboards that go right across it.
Spot the swamp star, the secretive Sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekei).
Known in Swahili as the ‘Nzohe’, the remarkable and rare Sitatunga (pronounced ‘statunga’) is a long-legged antelope that has adapted itself to exploit the abundant food resources of the swamp habitat. Its shaggy coat is oily and water repellent while its elongated and splayed hooves allow it to walk on submerged vegetation with impunity. So specialized are these feet that the Sitatunga can easily outrun its predators in the swamp, though on land it has a much clumsier gait. Reddish-brown with a vaguely moth-eaten look, it has very large ears and (on the males) horns. Moving with slow deliberation so as to avoid detection, the Sitatunga enters the water gently and sinks down until nearly all of its body is submerged. It then spends most of the day submerged or resting in reedy shade. A good swimmer, when alarmed the Sitatunga dives deep and remains submerged but for the tip of its nose. Crepuscular and extremely shy it prefers to feed morning and evening and occasionally leaves the swamp after dark to browse. Found in scattered locations throughout western and central Africa (particularly the papyrus swamps of Lake Victoria and in the Kingwal Swamp near Kapsabet), it is only at Saiwa Swamp that these elusive creatures have become habituated to the proximity of humans.
How to see a Sitatunga
Watching and waiting are the tricks of the trade. You might also keep watch along the paths and tunnels that the Sitatunga makes through the reeds and rushes – especially between 6pm and 10am when they are most active.
Other stars in the Saiwa Swamp cast
Very conspicuous are the silken coats of the black and white colobus monkey and the white-bearded faces of the distinctive de Brazza monkey. You will also see plenty of blue and vervet monkey. Spotted-necked otter and giant forest squirrel will prove more difficult. Leopard are around, but it’s unlikely you’ll see one.
Ornithologist’s nirvana
A great draw for ornithologists, the Park boasts over 372 species of birds. Rare birds include crowned hornbill, Ross’ turaco and eastern grey plantain eater, while the riverine forests shelter one of Kenya’s most spectacular forest birds, the Narina trogon. Most conspicuous around the Park are the grey-crowned cranes, but large numbers of ibis, duck and heron feed conspicuously in the more open patches of water. Cinnamon-chested bee-eaters are plentiful along the trails, as well as paradise flycatchers and black-headed gonoleks. Ludher’s bush-shrike is also found here, but is difficult to spot being infinitely shyer. Cisticolas and warblers flit around the base of the observation towers, and long-crested eagles can often be seen perched high on the bare branches of dead trees. Blue-headed coucals can often be caught taking in the sun among the bullrushes while the reeds are home to Hartlaub’s marsh widowbird and yellow bishop. When in fruit, the fig trees also offer a potent lure for double-toothed barbets.
Lush flora
The Park offers an interesting mix of forest and swamp vegetation and an extraordinarily diverse plant habitat. Dominated by tall bullrushes and sedges, it is bordered by a mixture of grassland, riverine forests and yellow acacia trees. Epiphytic ferns and orchids also proliferate. The wetter riverine forest is marked by gigantic strangler figs while Syzygium trees, with their dark-purple fruits, are not uncommon along the fringes of the swamp.
Iridescent insects
The swamp makes an ideal habitat for all manner of gorgeous dragonflies and damselflies while a profusion of jewel-hued butterflies dance along the trails (such as swallowtails and charaxes, and notably the African mocker swallowtail (Papilio dardanus).
Reptiles and amphibians
Home to numerous frogs and toads, and specifically the tree frogs, which are particularly noisy after a rainstorm, the swamp is also a preferred haunt of Bell’s hinged tortoise. Snake life includes the forest cobra and the African rock python. As you follow the trails, you might also watch out for a side-striped chameleon.
Conservation challenges
The Park is entirely surrounded by intensively cultivated subsistence smallholdings (known as ‘shambas’), and so its perimeter fence marks a sharp divide between two very different habitats. Cultivation tends to be small-scale and by means of hand tools but the neighbouring farmers plough as close to the fence as possible, dramatizing the delicate balance that must be maintained between human well-being and the struggle to sustain a healthy bio-diverse habitat. Survival of the Park, therefore, is very much dependent upon close co-operation between the Kenya Wildlife Service and the surrounding community.
Saiwa-Swamp-National-Park-The smallest national park in Kenya
Book your Africa safari holidays in Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda & Rwanda with Adeli Kenya Safaris
Your dream safari / holiday is just a call or email away. Contact Adeli Kenya Safaris today. Tel: +254720564538 | WhatsApp: +254720564538 | Email: [email protected]
EXPLORE OUR FEATURED SAFARI HOLIDAYS
FEATURED TOURS & HOLIDAY PACKAGES BY COUNTRY
Adeli Kenya Safaris, best tour company in Kenya, best safari company in Kenya, best tour operator in Kenya, best travel company in kenya, best travel agency in kenya, best kenya safari company, nairobi safaris, nairobi kenya safaris, kenya safaris, safari in kenya, kenya wildlife safaris, kenya safari tour, kenya tours, Best responsible tours and travel agency in kenya, Best responsible tours and travel company in Tanzania, Best responsible tours and travel company in Zanzibar, Best responsible tours and travel company in Uganda, Best responsible tours and travel company in Rwanda, Best responsible tours and travel company in Botswana, Best responsible tours and travel company in Namibia, Best responsible tours and travel company in South Africa, Best responsible tours and travel company in Mauritius, Best responsible tours and travel company in Seychelles, Best responsible tours and travel company in Madagascar, Best responsible tours and travel company in Mozambique, Best responsible tours and travel company in Egypt, Best responsible tours and travel company in Israel, Best responsible tours and travel company in Thailand, Best responsible tours and travel company in East Africa, Best responsible tours and travel company in Eastern Africa, Best responsible tours and travel company in Africa, Best responsible tours and travel company in the world, Best responsible tours and travel company in Thailand, Best responsible tours and travel company in Malaysia, Best responsible tours and travel company in Croatia, Best responsible tours and travel company in Vietnam, Best responsible tours and travel company in Dubai, Best responsible tours and travel company in Singapore, Best responsible tours and travel company in Brazil, Best responsible tours and travel company in America, Best responsible tours and travel company in Canada, Best responsible tours and travel company in Europe, Best responsible tours and travel company in Greece, Best responsible tours and travel company in Turkey, Best responsible tours and travel company in Faroe Islands, Best responsible tours and travel company in Morocco, What is ecotourism, responsible travel, best green tourism company in kenya, best sustainale travel company in kenya, best ecotourism ompany in kenya, best sustainable travel practices, best things to to do in kenya, best things to to do in Nairobi, best things to to do in kenya, best things to to do in Mombasa, best things to to do in kenya, best things to to do in kenya, best things to to do in Nakuru, best things to to do in kenya, best things to to do in Naivasha, best things to to do in kenya, best things to to do in Maasai Mara, best things to to do in kenya, best things to to do in Kisumu, best things to to do in kenya, best things to to do in Amboseli, best things to to do in kenya, best things to to do in Tsavo West, best things to to do in kenya, best things to to do in Tsavo West, best things to to do in kenya, best things to to do in Samburu, best things to to do in kenya, best things to to do in Tanzania, best things to to do in kenya, best things to to do in Zanzibar, best things to to do in kenya, best things to to do in Uganda, best things to to do in kenya, best things to to do in Uganda, best things to to do in kenya, best things to to do in Rwanda, best things to to do in kenya, best things to to do in Mauritius, best things to to do in kenya, best things to to do in Seychelles, best things to to do in kenya, best things to to do in South Africa, best things to to do in kenya, best things to to do in Mozambique, best things to to do in kenya, best things to to do in Madagascar, best things to to do in kenya, best things to to do in Zambia, best things to to do in kenya, best things to to do in Israel, best things to to do in kenya, best things to to do in Dubai, best things to to do in kenya, best things to to do in Thailand, best things to to do in kenya, best things to to do in Greece, best things to to do in kenya, best things to to do in Santorini, best Tour Operator in Kenya, bestTour Operators in Nairobi, Tours in Kenya, Travel Agency in Nairobi, safari, kenya safari, kenya tours, tours and travel kenya, eco safaris, ecotourism, eco tourism, responsible travel, green tourism, agro tourism, east african safari air, kenya tanzania tours, africa tours, masaimara safari, tanzania safari, kenya travel, africa safari, nairobi safari, kenya safari tours, african safari, kenya safaris from nairobi, kenya wildlife safari, serengeti safari tour, safar tours & travels, best tour operators, luxury african safari tours, best african safari for seniors, african safari and beach package holidays, africa safari camp, kenya safari packages, kenya safari holidays, uganda safari packages, best places to go on safari in africa, best african safari itinerary, kenya wildlife safari packages, deal africa, travel operators, tour africa safaris kenya, luxury safari company, east african safari packages, safari travel companies, top safari tour operators, african safari travel agent, africa travel deals, trip safari, best safari experience, african safari photography, kenya holidays 2018, kenya safaris from nairobi, kenya safari, kenya holiday packages, kenya holidays, weekend getaways in nairobi, holiday destinations in kenya, weekend getaways in kenya, kenya safari holidays, tours and travel kenya, domestic holiday packages in kenya, kenya safari packages, tour operators in kenya, kenya destinations, kenya holidays 2017, kenya travel, kenya tours, tours and travel companies in kenya, kenya safari tours, safari kenya, kenya holidays 2018, kenya safari prices, holidays in kenya, travel agencies in kenya, dubai holiday packages from kenya, cheap holiday packages in kenya, cheap holiday destinations in kenya, getaways in kenya, kenya safari all inclusive packages, kenya all inclusive resorts, cheap january holiday deals, dubai holiday packages from dubai, vacation places in kenya, affordable holiday destinations in kenya, holiday getaways in kenya, trip kenya, kenya safari beach holidays, kenya safari vacation packages, travel package holidays, best travel package deals, trip to kenya safari, kenya’s best DMC, Kenya’s best tour operator ‘ Kenya’s best travel agency , Africa’s best DMC , Africa’ best tour operator , best kenya tour companies, luxury tour companies in kenya , why I love kenya , #whyilovekenya , join up safaris kenya , budget safaris in kenya , flying packages kenya , beach safaris in kenya , top rated tour companies in kenya , rooftent camping in kenya, safaribookings , tripadvisor, photography safaris in kenya , , best Tanzania safaris , kenya and Tanzania safaris , Tanzania road safaris , Tanzania flying packages, dubai packages , south Africa holiday packages, Seychelles holiday packages , Mauritius holiday packages , easter holiday packages , Christmas holiday packages , Wildebeest migration, kenya wildebeest migration, wildebeest migration kenya, wildebeest migration in Kenya, masaimara national reserve, travel kenya, traveling to kenya, travelling to kenya, kenya travel advisory, kenya travel advice, travel in kenya, travel agents in kenya, travelling in kenya, traveling in kenya, kenya travel agents, travel to kenya advice, travel advice to kenya, travel agents kenya, travel advisory to kenya, travel agency kenya, travel advisor kenya, travel alerts kenya, travel agencies kenya, kenya travel agencies, travel deals kenya, travel diaries kenya, kenya travel tips, tour operators in kenya, kenya tours and safaris, tours in kenya, tours and travel kenya, tours kenya, tours of kenya, kenya tour companies, tours and travel in kenya, tour to kenya, kenya tours and travel companies, kenya wildlife tours, tours and travels in kenya, trip to kenya, trips to kenya, kenya trip, kenya trips, trip to kenya Africa, trip advisor kenya, kenya trip advisor, visit kenya, visiting kenya, kenya visit, where to visit in kenya, why do people visit kenya, kenya tourism, tourism in kenya, tourism kenya, tourism of kenya, kenya and tourism, kenya safaris, safaris in kenya, safaris kenya, kenya lodge safaris, african safaris kenya lodge safaris kenya, safaris to kenya, kenya camping safaris, kenya african safaris, camping safaris kenya, kenya tourist attraction, tourists in kenya, tourist attraction in kenya tourist spots in kenya, kenya tourists, kenya tourist spots, why do tourists visit kenya, kenya holiday, holidays in kenya, holidays to kenya, kenya holidays, holiday in kenya, holidays kenya, holiday to kenya, holiday kenya, kenya travel guide, travel guide kenya, kenya guide, travel guide to kenya, kenya information guide, kenya tour packages, kenya holiday packages, kenya vacation packages, kenya packages, holiday packages in kenya, kenya travel packages, holiday packages kenya, kenya package, kenya holiday package, kenya tour package, kenya package holidays, travel packages kenya, kenya safaris packages, places to visit in kenya, kenya places to visit, best places to visit in kenya, tourist places in kenya, places to see in kenya, kenya tourist places, places in kenya to visit, places to visit kenya, go kenya tours, go kenya, places to go in kenya, go to kenya, where to go in kenya, going to kenya, why do people go to kenya, why go to kenya, information on kenya, kenya information, kenya travel information, information kenya, information of kenya, holiday destinations in kenya, kenya destinations, tourist destinations in kenya, kenya holiday destinations, kenya tourist destinations, best holiday destinations in kenya, kenya as a tourist destination, holiday destinations kenya, blogs in kenya, travel blog kenya, kenya blogs, blogs travel to kenya, safaris in kenya, kenya safaris, safaris kenya, safaris to kenya, car hire Nairobi, car hire in Nairobi, nairobi car hire, car hire services in Nairobi, car hire kenya Nairobi, car hire companies in Nairobi, car hire nairobi kenya, cars for hire in Nairobi, car hire in kenya Nairobi, car hire services Nairobi, cheap car hire Nairobi, nairobi car hire services, car hire in nairobi kenya, car hire companies in nairobi kenya, car for hire in Nairobi, car hire companies Nairobi, 4wd car hire Nairobi, cheap car hire in Nairobi, car hires in Nairobi, nairobi airport car hire, 4×4 car hire Nairobi, car hire market, cars for hire nairobi , car hire Mombasa, car for hire Nairobi, car hire uganda , 4×4 hire Nairobi, car hire Tanzania, 4×4 car hire dar es salaam, 4×4 car hire Tanzania, car hire kenya, 4×4 car hire kenya, car hire in kenya , kenya car hire, 4×4 car hire Uganda, 4×4 car hire Arusha, kenya tours and safaris, tours in kenya, tours and travels in kenya, tours kenya, tours of kenya, tours to kenya, go kenya tours, tour to kenya , car hire companies in kenya , 4wd car hire kenya, go kenya tours and safaris, kenya wildlife tours, car hire services in kenya, terminal tours kenya, kenya tanzania tours, tours and travel in kenya , kenya budget tours , tours and travel jobs in kenya, tours and safaris in kenya , kenya adventure tours, tours kenya Tanzania, tour operators, tanzania tour operators, tours and travel kenya, tour operators in Tanzania, top tour operators, african tour operators, tour firms in kenya , car hire kenya rates , car hire in kenya prices, kenya car hire services, mombasa tour operators, cars for hire in kenya, car hire kenya prices, kenya safaris, car hire business in kenya, tour kenya, kenya wildlife safaris, safaris to kenya, kenya camping safaris, wildlife safaris kenya, african safaris kenya, kenya budget safaris, safaris kenya, kenya tanzania safaris, kenya african safaris, tour companies in kenya, kenya car hire companies, car hire services kenya, cheap car hire in kenya, tours and travel companies in kenya, tour and travel companies in kenya, kenya tour companies, executive car hire kenya, tour companies kenya, wildlife kenya safaris, safaris in kenya, travel companies in kenya , tourism companies in kenya, kenya tours and travel companies, tours and safaris companies in kenya, companies in kenya, list of companies dealing with travel tours in kenya, kenya tour, tours companies in kenya, list of tour companies in kenya, best companies in kenya, kenya companies, 4×4 camping, 4×4 holidays, camping 4×4, 4×4 excursion, kenya tours,kenya best hotels,best hotels in kenya,kenyahotels,honeymoon destinations in kenya, 4×4 kenya, Rooftemt camping in kenya, rooftent hire in kenya, Nairobi safari tours, mombasa safari tours, amboseli safari tours, nakuru safari tours, naivasha safari tours, lake bogoria safari tours, lake baringo safari tours, maasai mara safari tours, tsavo east safari tours, tsavo west safari tours, samburu safari tours, ol pejeta conservancy safari tours, aberdare national park safari tours.
