This grassy swale holds varying amounts of water depending on seasonal rainfall. April 2011.
Birds:
This small national park in western Kenya was created as a sanctuary for a rare wet-land antelope, the Sitatunga. The forests and marshes give habitat for many bird and plant species. Several trails pass through the forest and there is an elevated platform for observing wildlife in the marshes. The city of Kitale, located some 75km north of Eldoret, is the point of access, with several choices for accommodations. Kitale Museum is worth a visit and there are forest trails where birds and primates can be seen. On the museum grounds the Olof Palme Agroforestry Center has labeled forest trees and propagates indigenous trees.
Flora and Fauna:
Intensive farming occupies the bulk of land all around Saiwa Swamp and Kitale. This is a hard life and one often sees children engaged in back-breaking work to produce crops, feed their animals, fetch water and fetch firewood. The future of the park and nature in this part of Kenya is intricately tied to alleviating poverty and improving food production systems.