Attractions found at Ruma National Park: A mosaic of landscapes, ranging from riverine woodland and rolling savannah to magnificent escarpments and towering cliffs, Ruma National Park promises undiscovered wildlife treasures and undisturbed peace. It is also Kenya’s last remaining sanctuary for the endangered roan antelope. The park was established in 1966 as Lambwe Valley Game Reserve. It was later renamed “Ruma” after one of Kenya’s most powerful wizards, the much-feared Gor Mahia who lived around the park. This park is located in Kenya’s Nyanza Province and covers an area of about 120 square kilometers.
Ruma lies on the flat floor of the seasonally watered Lambwe River Valley bordered by the Kanyamwa Escarpment to the southeast and by the volcanic plugs of the Ruri Hills to the north. Ruma’s birdlife is exceptional. The park is also the only protected area in Kenya where the globally threatened blue swallow, a scarce intra-African migrant, is regularly recorded. Blue swallows, which depend upon moist grassland for both feeding and roosting, arrive in Kenya from their breeding grounds in Southern Tanzania around April and depart again in September. Surprisingly the national park has numerous attractions that one can marvel at when on a safari in the national park and in this article, we’re discussing some of the major attractions found in Ruma National Park that can make your safari in the park unforgettable and memorable.
Animals
This rarely visited park was established to protect Kenya’s last remaining population of the beautiful roan antelope. Wildlife has made its way into the area, but the numbers are still small, and the animals tend to be quite nervous. You might come across tracks left by leopards and spotted hyenas, yet these creatures are usually cautious and not often seen.
Ruma National Park is famous for its remarkable roan antelopes, but it offers so much more in terms of wildlife. Visitors to this exciting destination in Kenya can spot a variety of animals, including chimpanzees, Lelwel hartebeests, and olive baboons. The park is also home to African leopards, eastern black rhinoceros, and Rothschild’s giraffes. You might catch a glimpse of oribis Bohor reedbucks and bushpigs as you explore. Additionally, vervet monkeys, hyenas, and servals to the diverse landscape. With, topis, honey badgers’ topis, and cape buffalos roaming the grounds, Ruma National Park is a haven for wildlife lovers seeking an unforgettable experience.
The diverse wildlife in Ruma National Park makes wildlife sighting tours unforgettable and the best time to watch these animals is in the dry season in the months of June to October and January to February.
Reptiles
Ruma National Park is a vibrant home for various reptiles, showcasing a remarkable array of snake species. Among the snakes that call this park home are the African spitting cobra, the forest cobra, the python, the eastern green mamba, the black-mouthed mamba, and the puff adder. In addition to these snakes, visitors to Ruma National Park can also spot other interesting reptiles, such as lizards, skinks, and geckos, all contributing to the park’s rich biodiversity.
Birds
Ruma National Park is one of the best birdwatching destinations in Kenya. the park is home to over 400 bird species, making the park exceptional for bird watchers. The park is also the only protected area in Kenya where the globally threatened blue swallow, a scarce intra-African migrant, is regularly recorded.
Blue swallows, which depend upon moist grassland for both feeding and roosting, arrive in Kenya from their breeding grounds in Southern Tanzania around April and depart again in September.
Ruma National Park is also home to several remarkable bird species. Among them, you’ll find various varieties that are both fascinating and important to the local ecosystem. Some of these birds include Black Coucal, Levaillant’s Cuckoo, Pied Cuckoo, Dideric Cuckoo, Common Swift, Nyanza Swift, Little Swift, White-rumped Swift, Common Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Black-headed Heron, Intermediate Egret, Little Egret, Tawny Eagle, African Hawk-Eagle, Dark Chanting-Goshawk, Gabar Goshawk, Eurasian Marsh-Harrier, Pallid Harrier, Montagu’s Harrier, African Goshawk, Shikra.
Other bird species residing here include Harlequin Quail, Scaly Francolin, Red-necked Francolin, Speckled Pigeon, Mourning Collared-Dove, Red-eyed Dove, Ring-necked Dove, Laughing Dove, Ross’s Turaco, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, White-browed Coucal among others.
Thimlich Oginga Site
Thimlich Oginga is a remarkable archaeological site nestled in the southern part of Ruma National Park, making it one of the most significant historical landmarks in East Africa. This fascinating site features a cluster of stone ruins, with a total of 521 structures concentrated around the beautiful Lake Victoria region.
The main highlight of Thimlich Oginga is its central enclosure, which stands out as the primary draw for visitors. The walls of this enclosure vary in thickness from 1 to 3 meters and reach heights between 1 and 4.2 meters. It’s believed that these impressive structures date back over 550 years. The builders of these ruins used raw stones, placing them carefully without any mortar, showcasing the skill and ingenuity of the people who once inhabited this area.
Trees
Ruma National Park is a beautiful place that spans 120 square kilometers, showcasing a stunning blend of landscapes. It features vast golden grasslands, tall acacia trees, impressive cliffs, hardy balanitis trees, and lush riverine woodlands.
When you take a nature walk through the park, you’ll notice the diverse mix of trees and how thickly they grow. The different layers of tree canopies and various types of grasses add to the park’s charm, making it a captivating spot for nature lovers.
Best accommodation facilities here
Ruma National Park has got variety of beautiful accommodation facilities that cater to every choice of the tourist. the accommodation facilities here range from budget, midrange and luxury. Some of these facility options include Ruma Tourist lodge, Hotel Hippo Buck, ACK Guesthouse, Rusinga Island Lodge, Mfagano Island, Nyati campsites, Golden rays’ resort, Ruma river lodge and more.
How to access Ruma National Park
Accessing Ruma National Park can be done either by road or air, making it quite an accessible destination. There are two main entrances to the park: the main gate, known as Kamato Gate, and another called Nyatoto Gate. When entering, you’ll find that payments are made without cash.
If you choose to travel by road, you can reach Ruma National Park from several key towns in Kenya. the main gate is situated near Homa Bay, which is the closest town where visitors can find places to eat and stay overnight. Alternatively, you can also approach the park from Kisumu, either by passing through Homa Bay or Kisii.
For those preferring air travel, there are flights available from Nairobi to Homa Bay. The nearest airport to Ruma is Kisumu International Airport, located about 80 kilometers away. Once you land, you can easily catch a bus or hire a taxi to take you to the park.
