b

Manguo Swamp

Central Kenya  >  Kenya

Wetland on the Nairobi-Naivasha Road, only 40 minutes from Nairobi’s Central Business District.

Added* by Mwangi wa Gitau
Most recent update 25 January 2023

Description

Manguo is a local lingo that translates into a hippo; however, the hippos must have fled some decades ago as the surroundings became more urban. Manguo Swamp is an amazing wetland that is seasonal and instrumental in regulating water thus controlling flooding, water flows through the ground to refill the ground.

Manguo swamp is home to freshwater birds and a localized duck, Maccoa Duck. The beautiful chestnut-colored males and the duller grey females keep to the edge of the swamp. Maccoa ducks have in recent times been listed as ‘near threatened’ on the IUCN red list. These are the only African stiff-tail ducks. They rarely leave the water because their legs are set far back making waddling on land uncomfortable.

Details

Access

You drive to the wetland and park. Click on the P in the map for directions or coordinates. Exploring the swamp is done on foot.

Terrain and Habitat

Grassland , Wetland

Conditions

Open landscape , High water possible

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

No

Good birding season

All year round

Route

Unpaved road

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

Show more birds Show less birds
Show more images Show less images

Comments & Tips

Give feedback
Rate this area