Ruma National park
Ruma national park also referred to as the last retreat of the Roan antelope is situated in the western region of Kenya in the nyanza province of Kenya in Suba district with Homa bay as the nearest stay, Ruma national park is the only terrestrial park in Kenya and it covers an area of 120 square kilometers. Ruma national park lies on the flat floor of Lambwe river valley bordered by the Kanyamwa escarpment to the south east, volcanic plugs of Ruri hills in the north at an elevation range of 3937-5249 feet above sea level.
Ruma national park is endowed with stunning landscapes that is riverine woodland, gentle savannah woodlands, towering cliffs and sumptuous escarpments, the park is famous for habiting the last sanctuary of extra ordinary roan antelopes in Kenya which are near extinction. Ruma park is the only protected area in Kenya hosting the globally threatened blue sallow bird species, blue swallow bird is a scarce intra- African migrate bird species.
Ruma national park was gazetted in 1966, initially the park was gazetted as Lambwe valley game reserve and in 1983 it was upgraded to a status of a national park, and the park was named after Kenya’s most powerful wizard and most feared GorMahia who stayed around the park. By distance it is situated 23 kilometers south west of Homa bay, 425 kilometers west of Nairobi, approximately 10 kilometers east of Lake Victoria and 30 kilometers from Rusinga Island.
Attractions in Ruma national park
Wildlife
Ruma national park is a haven for wildlife, the park is known for hosting Kenya’s last remaining sanctuary of endangered roan antelopes which are one of the Africa’s rarest antelopes and the third largest among Kenya’s antelope family. Roan antelopes are called Korongo in Swahili, these animals are physically large with a distinctive black and white patches. Other animals found in Ruma park include Rothschild’s giraffe, serval cat, hyena, impala, vervet monkey, Oribi, bohor reedbuck, leopard, buffalo, Jackson’s hartebeest, rhino, White rhino, Burchell′s zebra, Jackson’s hartebeest, honey badgers, bush pigs, Topis, hyenas, servals, bohor reedbucks, Lelwei hartebeests and many more. Ruma national park is also a home to reptiles such as African spitting cobra, forest cobra, eastern green mamba, black-mouthed mamba and puff adder.
Bird life
Ruma national park is an excellent birding area hosting over 400 bird species, the park hosts the rare blue swallow which is find in a few area of Kenya, other birds found in the park include kingfishers, sunbirds and African fish eagles, red-necked francolin, crested francolin, speckled pigeon, African green- pigeon and many more.
Lambwe River
Lambwe River in Ruma park is the main water source in the park, the river is not only a water source it is also a habitant for many animals and birds of the park. Lambwe River is covered by riverine woodlands along its banks and being the only prominent water source it is always crowded by many animals which come to drink water and water birds.
Safari activities in Ruma national park is
Wildlife viewing
Wildlife viewing in Ruma park is an excellent activity through game drives, the park consists of many well developed and maintained game drive tracks giving you a chance to spot a variety of wildlife hosted in the park. wildlife found in Ruma national park include leopards, impalas, buffaloes, spotted and stripped hyenas, roan antelope, cape buffaloes, baboons and many more. Game drives in the park are offered in sessions that morning game drive, full day gem drive and night game drive, in the park the most amazing time to do game drives is in the dry seasons.
Bird watching
Ruma national park is a classified important birding area in Kenya and an excellent area for bird watching area, the park is known for hosting many color species of birds which are easily sighted while a stroll in the park. Birds spotted in the vegetated regions of the park and around the shores of Lake Victoria include kingfishers, sunbirds, African fish eagles, red-necked francolin, crested francolin, speckled pigeon, African green- pigeon, Black-bellied Bustard, White-browed Coucal, Swamp Nightjar, Crowned Lapwing, Common Greenshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper and many more. the best time for bird watching in Ruma park is in the rainy season, rainy season in the park is in the months of march-June and October to early December.
Boat cruise
Boat cruise in Ruma national park take place on the waters of Lake Victoria, the cruise is a wonderful retreat filled with cool breeze and sights of water creates habiting in the calm waters of Lake Victoria such as hippos, crocodiles and water birds such as African fish eagles, pelicans, kingfishers and many more. Boat cruise at Ruma national park is a chance to enjoy the amusing sun-downer experience while enjoying a sip of a glass of wine.
Camping
Ruma national park has many camping sites which are very worth engaging in for campers while on your safari in the park, camping is offered in campsites like mabato, Twiga campsite, Korlang’o site and Nyati campsites.
Guided nature walks
Ruma park is a tranquil destination dotted with escarpments, volcanic plugs such as Ruri hills and crossed by Lambwe river valley, the park is dominated by short savannah grassland and patches of forests which are habitant to many animals. Guided nature walks is a great opportunity for a tourist to come into up-close contact with nature and wilderness of the park, as you walk on foot in the park under the supervision of a trained guide you will encounter many animals Rothschild’s giraffe, serval cat, hyena, impala, vervet monkey, Oribi, bohor reedbuck, leopard, buffalo, Jackson’s hartebeest, rhino, White rhino, Burchell′s zebra, Jackson’s hartebeest, honey badgers, bush pigs, Topis, hyenas, servals, bohor reedbucks, Lelwei hartebeests and many more. And many birds such as kingfishers, sunbirds and African fish eagles, red-necked francolin, crested francolin, speckled pigeon, African green- pigeon, Black-bellied Bustard, White-browed Coucal, Swamp Nightjar, Crowned Lapwing, Common Greenshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper habiting in the park.
Accommodation in Ruma national park
In Ruma national park accommodation is got from many facilities open to the tourists such as campsites including mabato, Twiga campsite, Korlang’o site and Nyati campsites, Mfagano island camp, Rusinga island lodge, the golden rays resort, Ruma river lodge, ACK guesthouse, Oribi guest house, hotel twin brothers, Oyugis hill breeze hotel, hotel hippo buck, Ruma tourist lodge and many more
Accessing Ruma national park
Ruma national park is situated in Suba district in Nyanza province which are easily accessed location, the park is easily accessed using road means of transport. The easy routes to use when going to the park are via nakuru, kericho and kisii towns the main gate of the park is situated at a distance of 42 kilometers from Homa bay and from kissi to Rongo it is a distance of 34 kilometers to get to the park.
