Saiwa Swamp National Park

Saiwa Swamp National Park, located near Kitale in Trans-Nzoia County, Rift Valley Province, Kenya, is the smallest national park in the country, spanning only 3 square kilometers. Established as a habitat for the Sitatunga, a rare aquatic antelope, this park is unique because it is only accessible on foot.

It features approximately 7 kilometers of well-maintained wooden walkways and trails and three timbered viewing platforms for spotting the elusive Sitatunga. The well-marked trails encircle the swamp, and wooden duckboards cross right through it, allowing visitors to traverse the area easily.

Cool, shaded, and compact, the park is ideal for a dawn walk. It offers an enchanting leafy ornithological and botanical safari, making for a revitalizing weekend escape from the bustle of town.

The park showcases an interesting mix of forest and swamp vegetation, with an extraordinarily diverse plant habitat. Dominated by bulrushes and other aquatic plants, the Saiwa Swamp is fed by the Saiwa River, which winds through the wetland, along with run-off from the surrounding riverine forest.

How to get to Saiwa Swamp National Park

By Road: To reach Saiwa Swamp National Park by road, is 22 kilometers from Kitale town. From Kitale, take the tarmac road towards Kapenguria, and at Kipsaina junction, follow a 5-kilometer murram road to the only park entrance, Saiwa Gate.

By Air: The park is served by the Kitale airstrip, 27 kilometers away. The park gates are open from 6 am to 7 pm.

What kind of wildlife can be viewed in Saiwa Swamp National Park?

Saiwa Swamp National Park is a tropical wetland known for its rare and endangered species, including the semi-aquatic Sitatunga antelopes and De Brazza’s monkeys. It is a haven for birdlife, featuring over 370 species such as the lesser Jacana, grey heron, African black duck, Ross’s turacos, and yellow bishop.

The park’s trails are home to various reptiles and amphibians, including the side-striped chameleon, forest cobra, and blue-headed tree agama lizard. Other notable wildlife include the defassa waterbuck, bushbuck, bohor reedbuck, giant forest squirrels, red-legged sun squirrels, and two types of otters.

The park also hosts a variety of dragonflies, damselflies, and butterflies, adding to its rich biodiversity.

What activities can be done in Saiwa Swamp National Park?

Safari Walk: Exploring Saiwa Swamp National Park on foot offers an authentic and economical wildlife experience. Well-maintained trails and wooden walkways provide a close-up view of the park’s flora and fauna, including the rare Sitatunga antelope and various bird species, ensuring a comfortable and safe passage without disturbing the environment.

Photography Safari Tours: These tours cater to both amateur and professional photographers, allowing them to capture the park’s stunning scenery and wildlife. Guided by experts, visitors can photograph elusive animals and unique plant species against the serene backdrop of Saiwa Swamp.

Birdwatching: Saiwa Swamp is a birdwatcher’s paradise with over 372 bird species. Common water birds include the lesser jacana, grey heron, and African black duck, while rare species like the crowned hornbill, Ross’ turaco, and eastern grey plantain eater can also be spotted. The riverine forests host spectacular birds such as the Narina trogon and numerous other notable species.

Picnicking: The park features several picnic points along the walkways and trails, offering a serene and scenic environment for visitors to relax and enjoy a meal amidst nature. These spots are perfect for unwinding, surrounded by lush greenery and the tranquil sounds of the swamp.

Vegetation Exploration: The park’s landscape includes diverse swamp vegetation like reeds, bulrushes, sedges, wooded grassland, and tropical forest, featuring exotic banana trees, wild fig trees, and acacia trees. Visitors can explore and learn about the various plant species that thrive in this unique ecosystem, which plays a crucial role in maintaining the park’s ecological balance.

Camping: Camping in Saiwa Swamp National Park offers a rewarding experience, with nights filled with the sounds of monkeys, frogs, and toads. Mornings are particularly enchanting with bird songs greeting the dawn. Observation platforms provide a perfect spot to watch the sunrise, making camping an excellent way to immerse oneself in nature.

Corporate Events: The park provides a unique and tranquil setting for corporate events, ideal for team-building activities and retreats. The natural beauty and peaceful ambiance of Saiwa Swamp create an ideal backdrop for corporate gatherings, offering a refreshing alternative to traditional conference rooms and office spaces.

Game Viewing: Visitors can observe diverse wildlife in their natural habitats, including the elusive Sitatunga antelope, monkeys, and other small mammals. Game viewing can be done on foot or from designated observation points, offering an unforgettable experience in the park’s serene and natural setting. You can find below our exclusive safari experience to Saiwa Swamp National Park:

Saiwa Swamp National Park Day Tour From Kisumu | Click Here

Saiwa Swamp National Park is a tropical wetland home to rare and endangered species such as the semi-aquatic Sitatunga antelopes and De Brazza’s monkeys. Birdlife is abundant, featuring water birds like the lesser Jacana, grey heron, African black duck, and forest species such as the noisy Ross’s turacos and yellow bishop.

Reptiles and amphibians, including the side-striped chameleon, forest cobra, and blue-headed tree agama lizard, are common sightings along the trails. The park’s main attraction is the Sitatunga antelope, known for its special hooves adapted to wading through water.

Other antelopes, such as the defassa waterbuck, bushbuck, and bohor reedbuck, can also be seen near the water’s edge. The rare De Brazza’s monkey, giant forest squirrels, red-legged sun squirrels, and two types of otters – the African spot-necked otter and the African clawless otter – add to the park’s diverse wildlife.

With an impressive 370 bird species, Saiwa Swamp is ideal for spotting spectacular birds like Ross’s turaco, African fish eagle, crowned hornbill, and goliath heron. The swamp also hosts beautiful dragonflies, damselflies, and jewel-hued butterflies, including swallowtails and the African mocker swallowtail. Frogs, toads, tree frogs, Bell’s hinged tortoise, and snakes like the forest cobra and African rock python further enrich the park’s biodiversity.

Safari Walk 

Exploring Saiwa Swamp National Park on foot is an authentic and economical way to experience the wildlife. The Safari Walk allows visitors to get up close and personal with the park’s flora and fauna through well-maintained trails and wooden walkways.

These trails meander through various habitats, offering an intimate view of the park’s rich biodiversity. As you walk, you might encounter the park’s famous resident, the rare Sitatunga antelope, as well as numerous bird species and plant life. The walkways are designed to provide a comfortable and safe passage, ensuring that visitors can enjoy their exploration without disturbing the natural environment.

Photography Safari Tours 

Visitors can join photography safari tours to capture their favorite moments and share the experience with like-minded individuals. These tours are ideal for both amateur and professional photographers, offering opportunities to photograph the park’s stunning scenery and wildlife.

The tours are often guided by experts who can help you spot and photograph elusive animals and unique plant species. With the serene backdrop of Saiwa Swamp, photographers can capture the beauty of nature in its most unspoiled form, from the early morning mist over the wetlands to the vibrant colors of the forest canopy.

Birdwatching

Birdwatching is a major attraction at the park, which boasts over 372 species of birds. Water birds like the lesser jacana, grey heron, and African black duck are commonly seen. Rare birds include the crowned hornbill, Ross’ turaco, and the eastern grey plantain eater.

The riverine forests are home to one of Kenya’s most spectacular forest birds, the Narina trogon. Other notable birds include grey-crowned cranes, ibis, duck, heron, cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, paradise flycatchers, black-headed gonoleks, Ludher’s bush shrike, cisticolas, warblers, long-crested eagles, blue-headed coucals, Hartlaub’s marsh widowbird, yellow bishop, double-toothed barbets, and the square-tailed drongo. The diversity and abundance of birdlife make Saiwa Swamp a paradise for birdwatchers, who can enjoy the sights and sounds of these avian species in their natural habitats.

Picnicking

Saiwa Swamp National Park has several picnic points strategically located at intervals along the walkways and trails. These picnic spots provide a serene and scenic environment for visitors to relax and enjoy a meal amidst nature.

Whether you’re taking a break from a long walk or planning a family outing, the picnic points offer a perfect setting to unwind, surrounded by the lush greenery and the tranquil sounds of the swamp.

Vegetation Exploration

The park encloses a tropical wetland and features a diverse landscape composed of swamp vegetation such as reeds, bulrushes, sedges, wooded grassland, and tropical forest. Exotic banana trees and wild fig trees add to the park’s botanical richness, while acacia trees symbolize the grasslands.

Exploring the vegetation offers visitors an opportunity to learn about the various plant species that thrive in this unique ecosystem. The lush vegetation not only provides a habitat for wildlife but also plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of the park.

Camping

Camping in Saiwa Swamp National Park is a rewarding experience, allowing you to spend a night in the wild. Campers can enjoy a restful night lulled by the chattering of monkeys and the sounds of frogs and toads.

The mornings in the park are particularly enchanting, with sweet bird songs greeting the dawn. Campers can rest in the observation platforms and watch the sunrise as it majestically peeks over the horizon. The park’s camping facilities provide an excellent base for adventurers looking to immerse themselves in nature.

Game Viewing

Visitors can enjoy game viewing in the park, and observing the diverse wildlife in their natural habitats. The park’s serene and natural setting provides a unique opportunity to see animals in their native environment.

Game viewing can be done on foot or from designated observation points, where visitors might spot the elusive Sitatunga antelope, monkeys, and other small mammals. The tranquil atmosphere and the proximity to wildlife make game viewing an unforgettable experience.

Corporate Events

The park provides a serene and unique setting for corporate events, allowing participants to enjoy the natural surroundings while engaging in their activities. This tranquil environment is perfect for team-building activities and corporate retreats.

The natural beauty and peaceful ambiance of Saiwa Swamp National Park create an ideal backdrop for corporate gatherings, offering a refreshing change from the usual conference rooms and office spaces.

Notes:

* International (INTL) Visitors – Refers to visitors other than EAC and the rest of Africa with a valid passport
* Rest of Africa – Refers to nationals of African countries other than East African countries with a valid passport
* Kenyan Citizen – Refers to Kenyan nationals by birth and registration, with a valid Identification Card with a valid passport
* Resident -Refers to persons of other nationalities residing in Kenya with valid documentation from the Kenyan government
* Daily fee is a single entry fee valid for 24 hours of continuous uninterrupted stay inside a KWS national park/ reserve/ sanctuary
* Senior Citizen – Refers to Kenyan Citizens aged 75 years and above. Senior citizens shall access all KWS parks, reserves, and sanctuaries for free
* Children -Refers to persons from the age of five (5) years to seventeen years (17) years. Children below the age of five (5) years shall access all KWS parks, reserves, and sanctuaries for free
* East African Community (EAC) Citizen – Refers to nationals of East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
* Conservation Fees – Refers to fees charged in national parks, reserves, and sanctuaries to conserve and protect natural resources, such as wildlife, habitats, and ecosystems
* Persons with Disabilities(PWD) – Refers to Kenyan Citizens who have a physical, sensory, mental, or other impairment, including any visual, hearing, learning, or physical incapability, which impacts adversely social, economic, or environmental participation. PWD access all KWS parks and sanctuaries for free upon presentation of valid documentation from the National Council for Persons with Disabilities
* Student – Refers to an individual from a recognized secondary, government, or private college or university up to twenty-three (23) years old visiting the parks for purposes of learning about conservation through a documented and organized arrangement with that institution. It excludes students on personally arranged holidays. KWS will require a minimum of one (1) week’s notice to issue a written authorization for the student rate

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