Kenya’s smallest national park, Saiwa Swamp, out in the far west near the farming town of Kitale, is another of Kenya’s underrated delights.

The park encompasses one small area of swamp surrounded by farmland and is home to a rare population of sitatunga antelope, an unusual semi-aquatic species that in Kenya can only be reliably seen here.

The park also offers stunning birdlife. My favourite thing about this park is that you can only visit on foot, following the walking trails and boardwalks that run through the park. It’s a delight to break free of the safari vehicles and stretch the legs.

In addition you will almost certainly have the entire park to yourself. I’ve been three times and never seen another person here. One word of warning though: Be careful of flash floods during heavy thunderstorms. I was once caught out by one of these: the waters rose very quickly, drowning the footpaths and I had to wade thigh-deep back across the marsh while trying very hard not to think about all the creatures that might live in a remote African swamp…

There are no facilities for tourists within the park, but nearby Kitale has plenty of fairly-priced hotels.