Saiwa
Swamp National Park - "Secluded
Tranquility ..."
BRANDING
Kenya’s
smallest National Park that was created specifically to protect
the habitat of the rare and endangered semi-sitatunga antelope
has just had a make-over.
The
dense and vibrantly green realm of swamp and surrounding riverine
forest has been refurbished as part of the Kenya Wildlife
Service’s branding initiative that started in 2005.
Charmingly
rewarding, well away from the main more known tourist circuits
and relatively less visited, this tiny park is unique in that
vehicles are not allowed within its boundaries and the walker
reigns supreme.
Besides
hosting more than 370 species of birds, including forest birds,
water fowls, the swamp is also home to other wildlife including
various species of monkeys, porcupines, serval cats, fish
otters, snakes and fish.
The
park is traversed by some 18 km of walking trails and well-timbered
walkways. It also offers four-timbered observation towers,
which can be climbed to achieve an aerial view of the swamp
and its unique inhabitants.
Cool,
shaded and compact, the park offers an ideal dawn walk, an
enchanting leafy ornithological or botanical safari or a revitalizing
weekend away from the bustle of town.
The park was once part of a larger area of forests, swamps
and fresh water marshes located on a colonial era farm. At
Independence, when the farmlands were re-allocated, it came
under protection of a group of wildlife enthusiasts and was
first designated as a bird sanctuary in 1972. The swamp was
then recognized as an important breeding and roosting area
for the crowned crane. In 1974, it was designated as a National
Park for the protection of the endangered sitatunga antelope,
the de Brazza’s monkey and other wildlife species.
Once
abundant in the Lake Victoria and River Nzoia basins, sitatungas
are now only in scattered locations throughout western and
central Kenya, including papyrus swamps of Lake Victoria and
in the King’wal Swamp near Kapsabet.
There
is also an introduced population of sitatungas at Lewa Downs
Conservancy in Laikipia. Saiwa Swamp remains, however, the
only place in Kenya where these elusive creatures have become
relatively habituated to the proximity of humans.
The
long-legged antelope has ingeniously adapted itself so as
to be able to exploit the abundant resources of the swamp
habitat.
The
sitatunga’s shaggy coat is oily and water repellent,
while its elongated hooves allow it to move on submerged vegetation.
Easily able to outrun its predators while in the swamp, on
land the sitatunga is at a distinct disadvantage with a clumsier
gait.
A
good swimmer, when alarmed the sitatunga dives deep and remains
almost entirely submerged, but for the tip of its nose. Extremely
shy, it prefers to feed in the morning and evening and occasionally
leaves the swamp after dark to browse.
The
swamps riverine and savannah woodlands are the preferred habitat
of the park’s primates, including the rare de Brazza’s
monkeys, vervet monkeys, white and black colobus monkeys.
The
park also offers an interesting mix of forest and swamp vegetation
and extraordinarily diverse plant habitat.
Sharing
Wildlife Benefits
The branding process has benefited neighbouring communities
in recognition of their role in wildlife conservation.
To
foster positive relations with neighbouring communities, the
Kenya Wildlife Service has set aside some funds in its corporate
social responsibility programmes to directly support community
projects in health, education and water.
It
has built two classrooms and toilets at Saiwa Primary School,
roofed an administration block at St Teresa’s Sinyereri
Secondary School.
We
also bought 18 beds and high-density mattresses for Wiyeta
Community Health Centre.
KWS
has engaged the community in various development projects
including the drilling of 10 water wells around Saiwa Swamp
with funding from Eden Wildlife Trust.
The
Nile Basin Initiative through a proposal by the Saiwa Swamp
Senior Warden and the Trans Nzoia District Environment Officer
is supporting various community projects, including bee keeping,
fish farming and tree planting. All these efforts are meant
to help communities appreciate and conserve their own environment.
KWS
also conducts conservation awareness programmes in schools
and the rest of the community to foster a participatory approach
to wildlife conservation. Indeed, some community members are
part of the park management committee.
KWS
has proposed the expansion of the Saiwa Swamp to at least
1000 acres. To this end, 49 acres have already been secured
and negotiations with landowners are ongoing. We also plan
to acquire part of Cherangani Forest which is a major catchment
area for the swamp and surrounding areas.
Although
Saiwa Swamp National Park is the smallest, it has an exceptional
message to those with similar habitats:People can come together
and reserve swamps for conservation of biodiversity.
Around
Mt Elgon National Park, KWS has built classrooms at Kipsibo
Primary School (Ksh1.2 million), Kokuo water rehabilitation
project (Ksh753,000) and Kaberua Primary School (Ksh200,000).
It has also built a 25 km fence around the park to prevent
crop raiding by wildlife.
KWS
plan to rehabilitate the 14 km cave circuit, distribute water
to communities, and complete the construction of rest houses
for hikers as well as build two more bandas for tourist accommodation.
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