Saiwa
Swamp National Park
Background
Information
Saiwa is the smallest park in Kenya, only 3 km2. It was established
to protect the semi-aquatic antelope, Sitatunga and encloses
the swamp fed by the Saiwa river together with its fringing
belts of rain forest. The park is enclosed by subsistence
farming settlements.
Location:
Situated below the Cherangani Hills, Trans-Nzoia District
of Rift Valley Province
Climate:
Wet and dry.
HOW
TO GET THERE
Roads:
Saiwa National Park is located 22 km from Kitale on the Kitale-Kapenguria
tarmac road. At Kipsaina junction, a 5 km marrum road leads
to the only park gate.
Airstrips:
The park can be served by the Kitale airstrip, 22 km away
from the park.
Park
Roads:
Due to its size and nature of attractions, the park does not
have and does not need any roads.
Park
Gates:
Main gate, Sinyerere Gate.
MAJOR
ATTRACTIONS
Game
viewing, Sitatunga aquatic antelope.
FACILITIES
Campsites:
Sirikwa Tented Camp on the main Kapenguria road 6 km after
the Saiwa Swamp junction is the only facility that is near
the park. The facility also offers a camping ground.
The
park has a campsite at the gate.
Trails:
The park has well maintained trails and 4 observation towers.
ACTIVITIES
Bird
watching, game viewing, camping.
COMMON
VEGETATION:
Vegetation
is a mixture of forest and swamp vegetation. The swamp is
dominated by tall bullrushes and sedges. The swamp is bordered
by a mixture of grassland, riverine forests and Acacia.
Park entry fees |
