What Is The First Smallest National Park In Kenya? Saiwa swamp national park is considered as the smallest national park in the country which covers a total surface area of around 3 kilometers which is located I the western part of Kenya within the Rift valley region and it was officially established as a national park in 1974 with the main purpose to preserve and protect the park that acts as good natural habitat for the unique endangered sitatunga antelopes. Therefore, the establishment of this national park helped in the need of conserving and increasing the antelopes in large numbers whose numbers were noticed to be dwindling due to the poaching activities because of lacking of the habitat loss. In addition, this makes the saiwa national park to be seen as a haven for the sitatnga because it is preserved as a good natural habitat hence controlling all the human activities that always lead to threats to the survival of the species.
Sawai swamp national park is good destination, which is strategically located close to Kitale town in Trans-Nzoia County within the expansive saiwa plains. This national park is surrounded with the beautiful agriculture hub and it is also being dominated and characterized by the beautiful rolling hills, vast farmlands and leaving the fact of its small size aside, Sawai swamp national park is seen as a good conservation area because of its rich biodiversity and acts a good natural habitat to the sitatunga antelopes which has contributed a lot towards the protection of these species.
More so, about these sitatunga antelopes are known to be the semi-aquatic species, which are endemic to the papyrus swamps and the marshes of the sub Saharan Africa. These antelopes are characterized because of their long and splayed hooves, which always assist them when they are going through the muddy terrain of the swampy areas. In addition, they are well known to be good swimming whereby they are even capable of hiding under the water with only their nostrils above the surface and their unique adaptation to the wetlands among others.
Wildlife in Saiwa swamp national park.
Despite the sitatunga antelopes, Saiwa Swamp National Park also supports a diverse range of many other wildlife species that tourists can see as they explore around different within the park and some of these animals include; giant forest hog, marsh mongoose, leopards, bush bucks, defassa waterbuck, bohor reedbucks, spotted necked otter, giant forest squirrels, African civet, water bucks, genet cats and other primate species such as; black colobus monkeys, grey duikers, De brazza monkeys, white colobus monkeys, African civet, ratel and many others. More so, Saiwa swamp national park is also seen as a sanctuary for over 372 bird species hence making it a haven for bird lovers and ornithologists to visit. And some of these birds to see include; African black duck, speckled pigeon, Columba guinea, Rameron pigeon, African marsh harrier, wahlberg’s eagle, African hawk eagle, long crested crane, lesser jacana, grey heron and other forest birds like; Narina, Cormorant among others.
Saiwa swamp national park is surrounded with papyrus reeds, a variety of wetland grasses, cyperus papyrus that all provide the shelter, the breeding grounds and nourishment of the sitatunga antelopes, birds and all other wildlife species. more so, this national park is also noted to be a home to various plant species which are purposely used medicine to treat some diseases and for other important traditional practices .
Activities to do in Saiwa swamp national park.
Exploring around Saiwa Swamp National Park blesses tourists with great opportunities to engage in so many interesting activities where they gain new experiences such as; guided nature walks where they are always accompanied by experienced and well trained park guides whose role is to lead individuals through different trails and during these boardwalks, individuals get to capture classic views of the diverse flora and fauna and get close to the beautiful nature of the park, wildlife viewing, bird watching, agricultural activities, community visits and cultural encounters and many others.
Contact our trusted tour operator for more information and inquiries about which is the first smallest national park in the country and then book with our tours and travel companies such as; Focus East Africa Tours who offer the best tour packages while on safari in Kenya.
