Saiwa Swamp National Park
Wildlife & Animals
Kenya Parks
Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guide to Kenya.
The main attraction at low-key Saiwa Swamp National Park is a small population of sitatunga antelope, which can be spotted in their natural swamp environment. These rare antelope have special hooves adapted to wading through water, which makes them semi-aquatic. Other antelope that can be spotted on the water’s edge include defassa waterbuck, bushbuck and bohor reedbuck.
Wildlife Highlights
Aside from the sitatunga antelope, another swamp special is the rare de Brazza's monkey, which is also known as the swamp monkey. The giant forest squirrels and red-legged sun squirrels are some of the smaller mammals to look out for in the forest canopy. Two types of otter inhabit the swamp and can sometimes be spotted swimming between the reeds – the African spot-necked otter and the African clawless otter.
Best Time for Wildlife Viewing
Saiwa Swamp can be visited throughout the year, but heavy rain can be expected from April to August.
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