Saiwa swamp national park

This is the smallest of al the national parks in Kenya, only 3km2 in area and within its boundaries there are no roads for vehicles. It is home to the rare, endangered, semi-aquatic antelope which has webbed feet and spends most of its day half –submerged in water. Other animals to be found in saiwa include various monkeys, otters, genets, serval cat, mongoose, bushbuck and ratels (honey badger).More than370 bird’s species have been recorded there, including the blue headed coucal and Ross’s Turaco. Saiwa has about 9 km of nature trails; 7 km of which is the ‘’Acacia trail’’.

In the park itself ,there is a beautifully situated campsite with water shower blocks and designated places to make a campfire and cook food’s self catering Banda of timber construction ,managed by Kenya wildlifeservice  called ‘’Tree Top House’ may be available. It is raised on wooden ‘’stilts’’ above an area of exposed water and at the edge of the swamp, thus making it an ideal viewing platform. It has a small veranda and a single bedroom with two beds. Alternatively, you might be just a couple of crazy lovers determined to sleep in a swamp. Either way, a stay there will certainly be something to remember.

JBA- Kenya Safaris

Mount Elgon National Park

Mount Elgon is an eroded, dormant volcano with a huge caldera around the rim of which are a number of distinct peaks. Wagagai (4321m) is the highest and together with Sudek (4176m), serves to demarcate the Kenya-Uganda border. Another prominent summit is Koitobos-a spectacular mass of basalt on the boundary of the Mt.Elgon national park.

Elgon has sometimes been called ‘’the mountain of illusion’’ a name bestowed on it by the many people who, over the years, have become lost in its forests or on its high moorlands. The scores of almost identical ridges and valley, that traverse the very large of the mountain, become a trap for the unwary when the dense mountain mist descends and clings to the slopes, perhaps for several days without a break.

Mt.Elgon National park stretches from the densely forested lower slopes, up the mountain, to the highly moorlands where the giant Lobelia and senecio plants flourish, and then down to the caldera and the massive Suam Gorge that breaches its eastern rim. The park was established in 1976 and has an area of 169 kms; relatively small but capturing the mountain spectrum of ecological zones and biodiversity.
Elgon bird life is amazing in its variety, particularly in the forest; Ross’ Turacco and the red-fronted parrot are particularly beautiful. Animals include buffalo, leopard, baboons, water buck, bush buck, zebra, giraffe, tree hyrax, giant forest hog and a variety of duikers. The elusive forest elephant are remarkable for their exploration of the many Elgon caves.

For hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years they have made nocturnal forays into the caves to dig our salt and the work of their tusks has deepened the caves significantly .Kitum cave, more than 60m deep, is probably the most well known; but there are many others.Photography, horse riding and the gentle hike up Endless bluff are some of the acidities that are suitable for those who are not so fit or have limited time. 

JBA- Kenya Safari