Ruma National Park

Day-Trip from Rusinga Island Lodge, Kenya

(Ruma National Park lies in Western Kenya, close to the shores of the Africa's largest inland lake, Lake Victoria. The Park is location in Suba District, Nyanza Province. Distance from Nairobi: 425Kms West of Nairobi.10 Km's East of Lake Victoria & 23Kms South West of Homabay)

Ruma National Park Day-Trip from Rusinga Island Lodge

Ruma National Park View Rates, Discounted Prices - Book & Save Now!

Ruma National Park is the last Retreat of the Roan Antelope Ruma offers sanctuary to the threatened Roan Antelope, one of Africa's rarest Antelopes. The Park opens at 6.00 am to 7.00 am daily. It lies at an altitude of 1,200 - 1,600 meters above sea level. The total area equals 120 Square Kilometers.

Ruma National Park climate is humid and the long rains falling April - June & Short Rains falling October - December. The vegetation is mainly savanna grassland and woodland with extensive acacia thickets. Ruma National Park wildlife includes Roan Antelope, Oribi, Mountain Reed buck, Leopard, Buffalo, Jackson's Hartebeest, Rothchild's Giraffe, Hyena, Impala & Velvet Monkey.

Ruma National Park has than 400 recorded species of birds. The Roads are mainly murrum roads and 4WD is recommended all year round and essential in the rainy season. Note: No entry is allowed on foot and visitors will not be allowed entry after 6.15pm.

Ruma National Park Day Itinerary

Guests wishing to visit Ruma leave the lodge by speedboat at 6.30am. After a 40-minute boat ride on the lake (early mornings are usually calm on the lake), a Rusinga Land-Rover will meet you at the lakeshore for the short 30-minute drive to the park.

En route you'll see typical Luo homesteads. After exploring the park and its inhabitants enjoy a hearty bush breakfast before heading back to the lakeshore for the return boat ride to the lodge, arriving around lunchtime.

Ruma National Park Day-Trip Rates/Prices

Game Drive + Boat & Vehicle Transfer

* (Prices of boats & Vehicles may change depending on fuel prices)

* Park Entry fee for 3 staff members @ 200 Kenya Shillings per person 600 Kenya Shillings
* Boat transfer from Lodge to Sindo (Capacity: 6 Persons per boat) 14,500 Kenya Shillings
* Use of Safari Vehicle (6 persons per vehicle), 18,270 Kenya Shillings
* Park Entry fee for 4X4 vehicle  1,000 Kenya Shillings

Direct Guest Payment at the Park

* Non Resident Rate park entry fee - Child 10 US Dollars
* Non Resident Rate park entry fee - Adult 20 US Dollars
* Kenyan citizens  200 Kenya Shillings
* Residents   500 Kenya Shillings

Included
* Game Drive - 30 Kilometers
* Bush breakfast if client is on Full Board

Excluded
* Health insurance

Ruma National Park

Ruma National Park is the only Terrestrial Park in the entire Nyanza Province. It was initially established as the Lambwe Valley Game Reserve in 1966 to protect its indigenous population of rare roan antelopes which exist nowhere else in Kenya. In 1983 it was gazetted as a National Park. Namely Ruma National Park.

Ruma National Park was renamed “Ruma” upon request of the local community. The area had been so named by one of Kenya’s most powerful wizard, the much feared Gor Mahia who lived around the park. The park is largely of black cotton soil with surrounding area settled with a mix of small scale cultivation and grassy pasture land.

Ruma National Park lies in Western Kenya close to the shores of Africa’s largest inland lake, Lake Victoria. It is situated in Lambwe Valley in South Nyanza, 140 km from Kisumu, 10 km east of Lake Victoria and South West of Homa Bay and 425 km west of Nairobi.

Ruma National Park lies on the flat floor of the Lambwe Valley, bordered by the kanyamwa escarpment to the south east, Gwassi Hills, Sumba hill and ruri hills to the north. The Park covers an area of 120 square kilometers. Main access is from Kisumu via Homa Bay – 140 km, via Kisii – 65 km.

The main gate is 42 km from Homa Bay take Main C – 20 tarmac road in the direction of Rongo. After 10 km branch off to the right at Rodi kopany and proceed 20 km to Mirogi. At Morogi follow the signs to the Park a distance of 12 km on a Murrum road from Mirogi. OR 24 km from Homa Bay take main C – 20 tarmac road in the direction of Rongo. After 2 km branch off to the right at Mbita – Homa Bay Road junction. After 11km branch left at the park signage taking road D213 to Kamato Gate.

From Kisii via Rongo to Rodi kopany branching off to the left. One can also access the Park from Kisumu via Lwanda K’otieno from Lwanda K’otieno take ferry to Mbita then drive 20 km to Nyatoto Gate. Ruma National Park has three main circuits which are motor able all year round 4 wheel drive is necessary during the rainy seasons.

Ruma National Park Gates
Two gates, the Main Gate (Kamato Gate) and Nyatoto Gate

Ruma National Park Climate
Hot and humid, mean annual rainfall is 1200 – 1600mm. The park has a humid climate, the long rains falling April-June and the short rains falling October-December

Ruma National Park Major Attractions
Roan antelope which is found nowhere else in the country. Wildlife – Roan antelope, leopard, buffalo, hyena, Rothschild's giraffe, oribi, Jackson and lelwel hartebeest, impala, bohor Reed buck, serval cat, topi, baboons, vervet monkey, honey badgers, bush pig and many more.

Birds – Ruma National Park is an IBA area with over 400 species of birds recorded. It is renowned amongst ornithologists for its rare intra - African migrant, the blue swallow. Ruma National Park provides an unspoiled world for game lovers, bird watchers, tranquility and peace for meditation, historians, campers, team building, picnic, sundowners and scenic beauty.

Ruma National Park Facilities/Accommodation
Ruma National Park Campsite has two campsites, Nyati campsite which is a special campsite and Fig tree campsite which is a public campsite and a backpacker’s haven.

Ruma National Park Picnic site
Korlang’o picnic site which is a historical site as Korlango was used as escape route by the kalenjin during the colonial time when they were brought to Lambwe Valley to die during the resistant, as the place was inhabited due to tsetse fly and malaria.

Twiga picnic site which is in the middle of the Park allowing you to snack with the animals.

Oribi Guest House
It is a unique self catering guesthouse built on the Kanyamwa Escarpment where Gor Mahia used to frequent. For those who want to have an overnight stay and appreciate the Park unique attributes of tranquility, wilderness, scenic beauty and watching the sunset. It has 3 bedrooms accommodating a maximum of 5 people with a full equipped kitchen.

Ruma National Park Activities
Game viewing, bird watching, picnic, camping, team building, meditation, sightseeing, sundowner.

Vegetation
The Park is a classic image of East Africa with a land of rolling golden savanna dotted with picturesque acacias backed by dramatic hills and magnificent escarpment. It also has unique mosaic of riverine woodland and Balanties trees.

Booking & Reservations for Ruma National Park Day-Trip from Rusinga Island Lodge- Kenya

Booking Office Tel: + 254 (0) 20 2437871
Mobile : 0721242711 (Safaricom) - Kenya

Email: info@africanspicesafaris.com