Ruma National Park
Overview
Kenya Parks
Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many guidebooks to African destinations, including the DK Eyewitness Guide to Kenya.
Little-visited Ruma National Park protects Kenya’s only remaining population of the beautiful roan antelope. Other wildlife, much of it introduced, includes black rhino, white rhino, Rothschild’s giraffe, plains zebra and a variety of antelope. Tourist development is limited, and key species such as lion and elephant are absent. Despite this, wildlife is plentiful and those who do make it to this remote and underrated corner of Kenya are unlikely to encounter other tourists.
Pros & Cons
Wildlife
Ruma protects Kenya’s only roan antelope, a herd of fewer than 20 individuals now confined to a 6.5km²/2.5mi² fenced sanctuary near Nyatoto Gate. Other antelope include Jackson’s hartebeest, bohor reedbuck, waterbuck, impala and oribi. Introduced populations of Rothschild’s giraffe, white rhino, buffalo and plains zebra are thriving and frequently seen. Black rhino might occasionally be encountered around the airstrip, but leopard and spotted hyena are secretive and very rare. Common birds include red-necked spurfowl, yellow-throated longclaw, white-fronted bee-eater and superb starling.
Scenery
Ruma National Park is located in the Lambwe Valley, about 10km/6mi east of Lake Victoria. The dominant habitat is lightly wooded grassland, but there are also dense stands of acacia woodland. It is a scenic spot, surrounded by shapely forested hills and mountains. These include the Kanyamwa Escarpment to the southeast, the volcanic Ruri Hills to the north, and the westerly Gwassi Hills, which separate it from Lake Victoria.
Activities
The main activity is game drives. Coming from Kamato Gate, as most visitors do, you pass through an area of dense bush before emerging onto the Lambwe Plain. Here, you’re almost certain to see white rhino, giraffe, buffalo, zebra and a variety of antelope. It is also worth driving into the fenced sanctuary at Nyatoto Gate to look for roan antelope, but be warned they are not always easy to locate on the bushy hillside.
Weather & Climate
The weather and climate of Ruma are comparable to that of Kenya in general. More info:
Best Time To Visit
Ruma can be visited year-round, but wildlife viewing is best in the dry months from June to October and January to February. Visits during the peak of the short rains (November) and especially during the long rains (April and May) might be challenging because of the condition of the roads, which aren’t great even in the drier months. A sturdy 4x4 vehicle is required throughout the year.
Getting There
Visitors to Ruma ideally need a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle. Kamato Gate, the main point of access, is about 380km/240mi west of Nairobi (allow 8 hours* for the drive). The nearest town is Homa Bay, which lies on the shore of Lake Victoria about 25km/15mi to the north. It can be used as a base for day visits.
There are no regular scheduled air services to Ruma. The closest major airport is at the Lake Victoria port of Kisumu, which is Kenya’s third-largest city. It lies about 130km/80mi (a drive of 2½ to 3 hours*) north of Kamato Gate.
*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.
Health & Safety
Please read our malaria and vaccinations page for Kenya, and our general ‘Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions’ for more info:
