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Kingwal Swamp
Country(s): Kenya |
Kingwal Swamp – Sitatunga’s habitat the rare antelope in Kenya Kingwal swamp is 25 kilometers from Eldoret towards Kapsabet. Kingwal wetland is a massive wetland on the    catchments of Yala River. The wetland is popular as a habitat for rare Sitatunga, crane birds and wetland forest of Syzygium.
Kingwal Swamp is slightly bigger than Saiwa swamp which is a protected national park for the Sitatunga. Kingwal currently measures 2.73 square kilometers. The Sitatunga once numerous around the swamps of Kenya is now listed as a threatened animal. The biggest threat to degradation of Kingwal is linked to dry season which encourages farmers to look to wetland cultivation and leads to burning of wetland vegetation.
The Kingwal Sitatunga site has a thick swamp dominated by Typha macrophytes. The site is deep with pool of open water that makes it an important habitat for Sitatunga. The animal is found only in the wetlands. The sitatunga’s have evolved over time to develop adoptive features which enable them survive the swampy environment.
The nearby communities are being educated on the the need to protect Sitatunga and develop ecotourism in the areas.
From here one can visit the Sironoi community tree nursery. The site is located on the northern wing
of Kingwal wetland. They have established a large nursery for Syzygium trees for planting on the edge of the wetland. The tree which is a wetland friendly is highly valued in the community. Its presence is associated with clean water. Planting of the tree is aimed to protect wetland from encroachment and provide raw materials for the community. For inquiries contact Fountain Safaris.
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