Ruma national park
ruma national park
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Ruma National Park is one of the oldest and best-known National Parks in Kenya. It is located in the west of the country, about 425 kilometres from Nairobi, and covers an area of about 120 square kilometres. The park was established in 1966 and has since been an important sanctuary for the region's wildlife and natural environment.
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The Park is characterised by its varied landscape, ranging from vast grasslands, riverine woodland and rolling savannah to magnificent escarpments and towering cliffs, to dense bushveld. It is home to a variety of animal species, including some rare and endangered species. Among the park's best-known inhabitants are the roan antelope, of which the park is home to its largest population and Kenya’s last remaining sanctuary for the endangered this antelope.
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Other animal species found in the park include Rothschild giraffes, oribi, kudus, waterbucks, leopards, hyenas and various primate species such as baboons and mute monkeys.
Ruma lies on the flat floor of the seasonally watered Lambwe River Valley bordered by the Kanyamwa Escarpment to the South-East, and by the volcanic plugs of the Ruri Hills to the north.
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What to see and do:
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The park offers a range of activities for visitors, including game drives, guided walks and bird watching tours. There are several viewpoints and picnic areas in the park from which you can admire the stunning scenery and wildlife. Ruma National Park promises undiscovered wildlife treasures and undisturbed peace.
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Ruma’s birdlife is exceptional.
It is a true paradise for bird lovers, as the park is home to more than 400 bird species. Here you can observe various birds of prey, storks, ibises, flamingos and many other species. Particularly impressive is the large number of crowned cranes that occur in the park and play an important role in Kenya's cultural heritage.
The park is also the only protected area in Kenya where the globally threatened blue swallow, a scarce intra-African migrant, is regularly recorded.
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How to get there:
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From Nairobi follow A104 till Exit Kamandura-Mai Mahiu-Narok Rd/B3. Take B3 via Mai Mahiu-Narok. Take C22/Sotik-Ikonge Rd to your right. Follow till you reach A1/ Kisii Kisumu Rd turn left follow A1 till Oyugis then take C18 till Rangwe, turn right to C20/Homa Bay-Rongo Rd follow till Homa Bay
The main gate is 42km from Homa Bay. From 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
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Climate:
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Temperatures in Ruma National Park are relatively warm all year round. Average temperatures during the day are between 25`C and 30`C In the cooler evening and night hours, temperatures can drop to around 15 C