The park is the only Terrestrial Park in Kenya’s Nyanza Province, Western Kenya, covering over 120sqkms. It lies 10km east of Lake Victoria. It was established in 1966 as Lambwe Valley Game Reserve and later named ‘Ruma’ after one of Kenya’s most powerful wizard. It was gazetted in 1983 to protect Kenya’s last remaining population of the beautiful rare roan antelopes and other wildlife species. The park is located in the vast Lambwe Valley. The park is a home a number of wildlife species, and birds, with a landscape composed of savannah, riverine woodland.
How to Access the Ruma National Park
The Park can be access by both road and air transport from two entrances. The main gate, Kamato gate and Nyatoto gate.
By road transport, the park is 425km West of Nairobi, 140km from Kisumu, and from Homa Bay its 42km to the park. From the Homa Bay take the main C20 tarmac road in the direction of Rongo. After 10km branch off to the right at Rodi Kopany, and proceed 20km to Mirogi. At Mirogi, follow the signs to the park, entering at Kamato Main gate, a distance of 12km on a murram road from Mirogi. A 4×4 is highly recommended even in the dry season.
By air transport, all chartered and scheduled from Nairobi to Kisumu International airport or any of the airports within the park. Such as: Makatau, Kamboyo, Ziwani, Kisagau, Kilaguni Finch Hattons and Jipe.
What to park for Ruma National Park Adventure
You will need to carry a back pack, a camera, binoculars, long and short sleeved shirts, long and short trousers, a hat, sunglasses, comfortable footwear (sandals too) sunscreens, bottled water, camping equipment, picnic equipment, and guide books, among other things you may need.
What activities to do in Ruma National Park
The park isn’t visited by so many but stands out from the rest of the park for the interesting activities that are enjoyed by the lucky visitors who get to visit it. The best activities in the park are as follows.
Game Drives
Take time and be part of these drives. You will be able to see almost all wildlife in the area. Apart from wildlife you will also enjoy the vegetation in the park as your roam in search of these unique creatures. Guided game drives are normally arranged during day in the morning or evening hours and for a few hours of the day.
Bird watching
Over 400 species of birds can’t be watched in a day. This activity is so interesting for it gives tourists a chance to see many of the world’s flying creatures. The activity has its peak season in April when migratory birds from African countries visit in search for food before they return to their nests. Guides will lead you on this activity to bird’s favorite spots and enjoy the amazing views. On this activity you will also spot out wildlife in the area.
Nature walks
An adventure can be incomplete without walk safaris. Tourists will have a wonderful time on guided walk safaris as they check out the landscape of the park in depth. You will visit the woodland, valleys, and the gills in the area, and of course, animals enjoy valleys, you will see them too. Plants of different species will be seen. All you will need will be your outfits for the activity.
Boat Cruises
The park is a few meters form Lake Victoria an here tourists will have an opportunity of spending time on water. You will enjoy a time on a boat ride as you explore the lake, you will see hippos close and crocodiles too. You will also enjoy the wonderful views of water and the surrounding areas. You can also enjoy a sun-downer cruise which is amazing in the evening as you watch the sunset while you sip your drink.
Mountain Riding
The hills in the park give room for this activity. There trails that can be easily accessed. Bikes can be hired from places of accommodation or at the park at an affordable few. You will have wonderful views of the area on this activity.
Camping
This is also interesting and all you will need is your equipment. Camping is so rewarding for it gives a feeling of being in the wilderness and not home. You will wake up to the sounds of animals and birds in the park for there are spacious camping grounds within allocated for the activity.
Picnicking
The park has areas that were arranged for this activity. You will enjoy outdoor lunch as you enjoy the change of environment. Some of the picnic sites are Twiga and Korlang’o which are within the park. All you will need is picnic equipment and have a wonderful time with your family or friends.
Hiking
The park has hiking trails through the hills and the valleys. You will also visit the escarpment and enjoy wonderful views of these lands. You will enjoy sites of wildlife and birds too, not forgetting vegetation.
When to visit Ruma National Park
The park can be visited anytime of the year from 6am to 6pm. It has dry and wet seasons. The dry season is the best time to visit the park compared to the wet season.
The dry Season (from June- October and January- February), if ideal for wildlife can clearly be seen on game drives since the grass is short and animals roam the park in search for water.
Tourists get ample time during this period to safari the whole area for the land is dry and trails can be passable. Activities like hiking, picnicking, are all favored. The park is a true experience of wilderness.
The wet Season (from November – December and March – April), and it’s characterized of short rains in the first period and long heavy rains in the last period.
The period is a peak season for bird watching and the rare endangered migratory blue swallows will be seen.
During this time, it isn’t ideal to visit the park especially towards the end of short rains and during the long rains in the last season. Rains can disorganize tourism activities especially game drives other activities that are outdoor.
It should be noted however that, during this period, there a lot of tsetse flies in the park due to heavy rains, tourist facilities are limited in the park since it’s a low season, roads are in the a worse state and the park has few animals compared to other parks.
Safari attractions to enjoy on Ruma National Park Safari
The park has unique creatures that only exist in this park a reason why tourists take time and visit. The best that the park has are as below.
Wildlife
The park is commonly known as a home for the roan antelopes that only exit in this park within Kenya. Well it’s not only the only animals you will see. You will have an opportunity to meet the likes of eastern black rhinoceros, cape buffaloes, bush pigs, African leopards, Rothschild’s giraffes, honey bardgers, vervet monkeys, bohor reedbucks, topis, hyenas, Impala, Lelwel hartebeest, and oribis, among others. You will enjoy them on game drives that are arranged in the park, on guided walk safaris, on your picnic or on an evening hike.
Birds
The park is a home for over 400 bird species, inclusive of the migratory birds that normally join in April in search for food, among which you will have a wonderful time seeing the blue swallow. Kingfishers, sunbird species of birds, African Fish eagles, and pelicans, among others will be seen with binoculars for better views.
Scenic views
You will have an adventurous tour of the park’s landscape. The park is a mixture of grasslands, rolling hills and patches of woodland. You will have clear views of Lambwe Valley where the park lies and also the Kanyamaa escarpment.
Accommodation to stay at Ruma National Park
There a few places of accommodation in the park but will satisfy your need. There’s a guest house, (Oribi Guest House) with good service, wonderful views of the escarpment and tourists can do self- catering services. The park has two campsites, (Fig tree campsite and Nyati Campsite) with good services.
Hotels and Lodges can be got from the towns close to the park, that is; Kisumu and Homa Bay, in categories of luxury, midrange and budget.
Luxury Include: Rusinga Island Lodge in Homa Bay, Kamel Park Hotel, 29km from the park, Mash Park Hotel along Kisii-Kisumu road, 29km from the park, among others.
Mid-Range Include: Jubali Country Lodge, Hotel Staridge Ltd, Hotel Tausi, ACK Guest House, Hotel Twin Towers, and Rusinga Blue Ridge, among others. All these are located in Homa Bay.
Budget Includes: Goono Konyuka Beach Resort, Bimoss Hotel, Oyugis Hill Breeze Hotel, Ruma Tourist Lodge, and Hotel Hippo Buck, all located in Homa Bay, among others.
In conclusion, the park possesses a beauty of creation that hasn’t been tampered with since it lies in a remote area. Plan for a few days and come exhaust this beauty to your advantage. You can also add more places of attraction once you plan and book early.
