Saiwa stands out as the smallest park in Kenya, only 3 sq km. It had been set up to shelter the semi-aquatic sitatunga antelope and even encloses the swamp along the the Saiwa river along with its bordering belts of rain forest.
Typically the park is enclosed by subsistence farming settlements. Vegetation is mostly a mixture of forest and swamp vegetation. This swamp is dominated by tall bullrushes as well as sedges, bordered by a mixture of grassland, riverine forests and additionally acacia.The Park boasts a common African wetland climate, which range from warm to cool humid as well as semi arid.
Major Sights – Sitatunga aquatic antelope for game watching, birding and trail walking
Wildlife around this park features; the Sitatunga, monkeys, otter, genet, serval, mongoose, bushback and ratel (or honey badger). Birds are normally over 372 species including these rare ones as Ross’ turaco as well as blue-headed coucal.
Getting there
Road access to the park lies 27 km north of Kitale over the Kitale- Lodwar tarmac road. Travelling to Kitale using direction of Eldoret or maybe Bungoma, turn right from Kitale Museum and then continue with the road from the left hand bend. Immediately after 0.5 km take the right and follow signs for Kapenguria and Lodwar. Upon 1.5 km take the left to the A1 Lodwar Road and then proceed for 18 km to Kipsaina exactly where you will find a sign for Saiwa Swamp NP. Turn right from the sign and then follow the murram road for 6.5 km to the park’s solely gate-Saiwa Gate.
Accommodation
Lodging – Sirikwa Guesthouse and Campsite Kenya Wildlife Service Self-Catering Accommodation: Tree Top House.
Things to do – wildlife watching, watching birds, backpacking, going for picnicsand nature walks. Trips are conducted throughout the year.