Ruma National Park Kenya, Ruma Safari in Kenya, Wildlife Kenya Safari, Kenya Tour. When to visit Kenya, Attractions in Ruma National Park, how to get there and accommodation in Ruma National Park. Ruma National park is a Kenyan National Park which lies in the western Kenya and close to the shores of the Africa’s largest inland lake known as Lake Victoria and the park is located 30 kilometers from Rusinga Island and is 425 kilometers west of Nairobi, 10 kilometers East of Lake Victoria and 23 kilometers south west of Homabay and it is the only park in Kenya’s Nyanza Province. Ruma National Park covers an area of 120 square kilometers and the park lies on the flat floor of the Lambwe valley which is bordered by the Kanyamwa escarpment to the south east Gwassi Hills, and ruri hills to the north. Ruma National Park was initially established as the Lambwe valley Game Reserve in the year of 1966 which was to protect its indigenous population of the rare roan antelopes that exist no where else in Kenya. The Reserve was later gazetted as a National park in 1983. The park was renamed “Ruma” upon the request of the local community and the area had been named so by one of the Kenya’s most powerful wizard the much feared Gor Mahia who lived around the park and the park is largely of black cotton soil with surrounding area settled with a mix of small scale cultivation and grassy pasture land.

Attractions in Ruma National Park Kenya

Wildlife in Ruma National Park Kenya

Ruma National Park is a home to wildlife species that ranges from Roan antelopes, African leopards, eastern black rhinoceros, Rothschild’s giraffes, Oribis, Cape buffalos, Lelwel hartebeests, olive baboons, Bohor, reedbucks, hyenas, servals, topis, honey badgers, vervet monkeys and bushpigs among others.

Bird life in Ruma National Park Kenya

The park has over 400 bird species recorded which makes it an Important Bird Area and the blue Swallow and the rare intra-African migrant is one of the species seen in the park.

Vegetation in Ruma National Park Kenya

Ruma National park has a land of rolling golden Savanna dotted with picturesque acacias backed by dramatic hills and magnificent escarpment. The park has a unique mosaic of riverine Balanties trees and woodland making it a classic image of East Africa.

Thimlich Ohinga Archaeological Site in Ruma National Park Kenya

This is one of the East Africa’s most important archaeological sites located in the South of Ruma National Park. The site holds the remains of a dry-stone enclosure 150meters in diameter and containing another five smaller enclosures and the site’s name translates in Luo as a frightening dense forest.

The Last Refuge of the Roan Antelope in Ruma National Park Kenya

This is the third largest Kenya’s antelopes and one of the Africa’s rarest antelopes. The roan known as Korongo in Swahili is a large grey to rufous antelope with a distinctive black and white face and they live in herds of 20 members which are led by a bull.

The Oribi Antelope in Ruma National Park Kenya

Known as Taya in Swahili, this small and graceful Oribi antelope has a conspicuous bare black glandular patch below the ears with a short black tipped tail and black knee tufts. They live in strongly bonded pairs or small groups and they inhabit dense undergrowth and grassland.

Activities done in Ruma National Park Kenya

Game Drives in Ruma National Park Kenya

Ruma National park has a well developed and maintained game tracks thereby making game viewing one of the most exciting tourist activities within the park and this activity gives opportunities to tourists with the spectacular views of the park’s landscape as well as exceptional wildlife species especially the eastern black rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, roan antelopes, buffaloes, warthogs and elephants among others and the best time to carry out this activity is in the dry season.

Bird watching in Ruma National Park Kenya

Ruma National park is a haven to over 400 species of birds including the migrant Blue Swallows, sunbirds, African fish eagles, kingfishers and the best time to carry out this activity is during rainy season because there are higher chances of sighting the migrant species and the rainy season is from March to June and from October to December.

Nature walks in Ruma National Park Kenya

This activity offers you close opportunity of interacting with nature while relaxing and you are able to sight a number of wildlife, tress and the interesting information about the destination.

Camping in Ruma National Park Kenya

This activity is conducted within the two campsites in the Ruma National park.

Boat cruises on Lake Victoria

This activity is carried along the shores of Lake Victoria and allows you to explore some of the wildlife such as crocodiles, Hippos, and also spotting aquatic bird species such as African fish eagles, kingfishers among others and during this activity you can also enjoy asun downer and sun set boat cruise on Lake Victoria.

Accessibility – How to get to Ruma National Park Kenya

The park can be accessed from Kisumu via Homa Bay which is 140 kilometers and via Kisii 65 kilometers. From Homa Bay the main gate is 42kilometers and take main C- 20 tarmac road in the direction of Rongo and after 10kilometers branch off to the right at Rodi Kopany and then proceed 20kilometers to Mirogi. Here while at Mirogi follow the signs to the park a distance of 12 kilometers on a Murrum road from Mirogi.
It can also be reached by using air transport whereby both chartered and scheduled flights are being organized from Nairobi to Kisumu International Airport or you can also use different airstrips within the park which include the Kamboyo, Kasigau, Makatau, Kilaguni Finch Hattons, Jipe and Ziwani.