Ruma National Park Kenya
Ruma National Park map
Ruma National Park-dubbed the Last Retreat of the Roan Antelope- (the most endangered and largest Antelope in Africa) is the only terrestrial Park in Kenya’s Nyanza Province. Ruma National Park is situated in Suba district about 23km near Homa bay city, and 10km East of Lake Victoria. Ruma National Park is about 425kilometers away from western Nairobi. It is one of the beautiful safari destinations in Kenya but less known.
Ruma National park covers an area of 120km2, it started as Lambwe Valley Game Reserve in 1966. Ruma was later declared a national park in 1983 with the main intention of protecting the rare species like the roan antelopes, and the blue swallow which is only found here in Kenya and it is also seasonal.
Brief facts About Ruma national Park Kenya
Location: Nyanza Province, Kenya
Nearest city: Homa Bay
Coordinates: 0°38′36″S 34°16′48″E
Area: 120 square kilometres (46 sq mi)
Established: Gazetted in 1983
Governing body: Kenya Wildlife Service
Tourist Activities and Attractions in Ruma National Park | What to see and do in Ruma National Park
Wild game in Ruma National Park; Ruma National Park is a home to the roan antelopes-one of the most erratic animal species in Kenya. The roan antelopes live in groups of about 20 members and each group headed by one bull. Young males are chased out the when they start to show maturity at round 3 years old but the female youths remain in the group. Other animals in Ruma National park include leopards, eastern black rhinos, cape buffalos, Oribis, Bohors reedbucks, hyenas, lelwel hartebeests, servals, topis, honey badgers, Rothschild giraffes, Impala gazelles, bush pigs, vervet monkeys, olive baboons and Chimpanzees.
Birdlife in Ruma National Park; Ruma National Park is a birder`s paradise and the only park in Kenya that is home to the rare blue swallow especially in the months from April to September. Ruma national park inhabits about 400 bird species including the Black-backed Cisticola.
Heaps of reptiles in Ruma National Park; Ruma National Park forests and grasslands inhabit an extra ordinary population of snakes such as forest cobra, African spitting cobra, python, black-mouthed mamba, eastern green mamba, and puff adder other reptiles include gecko, lizards and skink.
Thimlich Oginga Archaeological Site; Thimlich Oginga in the South of Ruma national park is one of the East Africa`s important archeological sites with remains of dry-stone enclosure with diameter 150m and other small enclosures about five. In Luo local language,” Thimlich Oginga” means ‘frightening dense forest.
Accessibility to Ruma National Park Kenya
How to Get to Ruma National Park
How to get there
From the nearest town Homa Bay, use the main Homa Bay- Rongo highway for about 10km, turn right at Rodi Kompany and drive 20kms to Mirogi where you will see signs directing you to Kamato gate-the park`s main gate which is also 12km on a dirt road from Mirogi.
By Air; In Homa bay town, there is Kabunde airstrip and airlines like fly sax operate scheduled flights.
When to Visit Ruma National Park Kenya
Ruma National Park is usually dry from January to February and from June to October. The dry season is the best time to visit this park however much you can visit the area all year round. A strong 4×4 is highly recommended for this trip.
Where to stay in Ruma National Park
Oribi guest house; Oribi Guest House is located in Ruma national park, the facility offers comfortable self-catering accommodation in a large self-catering house. The guest house can accommodate 10 people at a go and I is best for groups and families.
It is a fully equipped guest house with three bedrooms, spacious sitting room, dining area and well-equipped kitchen.
Facilities & Amenities at Oribi guest house;
- Braai/Barbecue
- Indoor Fireplace
- Solar electricity
- Parking on Premises
Korlango Picnic site; This picnic site is a historical site remembered as an escape route by the Kalenjin in the colonial days whenever they would bring them to Lambwe Valley to die of tsetse fly and malaria that had infested the area, this was a punishment to the Kalenjins who would resist colonialism.
Twiga Tano Picnic Site in Ruma National Park; Twiga Tano picnic site is located in the center of Ruma National Park offering clear views of wildlife. The facility is 1hr drive from Karen.
Twiga Tano features 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and two floors set on a 3000sqft (270sqm) and two floors of living space.
You can access the upper floor with the wheelchair however it needs prior arrangement.
Facilities & Amenities at the house include;
- 4 burner gas stoves,
- Baby cot, hammocks,
- A kuni booster for hot water
- Charcoal oven
- Scenic picnic areas
- Electric fridge
- African Library
- Outdoor toilet and shower with a spectacular view.
Sleeping arrangements
Bedroom 1- one queen bed (en-suite), Bedroom 2- one queen bed (en-suite), Bedroom 3 – two double beds (4×6), Bedroom 4 – five double beds (4×6), Loft: two floor mattresses (5×6)
Hotel Hippo Buck in Ruma national Park; Hotel Hippo Buck opened its operations in 1992 Sophia Valley, near Homa Bay Town overlooking Asego Hills about 1km from the shores of Lake Victoria.
The hotel features Superior, deluxe and standard rooms. Hotel Hippo Buck offers modern banqueting and conference facilities with carrying capacity from 20 to 300 people.
Facilities and Amenities at Hotel Hippo Buck
- Airport Shuttle
- Laundry Facilities*
- Satellite TV*
- Restaurant on Premises
- Conference facilities
- Parking on Premises
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