RUMA NATIONAL PARK

The park is located in Homa Bay district, Nyanza province, about 425 sq km, West of Nairobi, 23km south –west of Homa bay, 10kms East of Lake Victoria.
Ruma national park was first gazetted in 1966 as the Lamwe valley Game Reserve, acquiring National park status in 1983, covering an area of 120 sq km.
It is the last sanctuary of the endangered Roan Antelope.

Ruma National park comprises of Savannah grassland and woodland with extensive Acacia thickets, experiencing a humid climate; one rainfall peak between April-June and a light down pour between October-December.

Biodiversity
The park is a habitat to a variety of Roan Antelope, Genet cat, Serval cat, Jackson’s hartebeest, OribiRothschild’s Giraffe, Topi, Impala, Bush baby, Bush buck, African Hare, Olive Baboon, Spotted hyena, white tailed mongoose, large grey mongoose, Porcupine, Leopard, Steinbok, Aadvark, Cane cat, African wild cat, Clawless Otter; reptiles like the Agama Lizard ,Puff adder, African spiting Cobra, Lizard, Gecko and a variety of native bird species as well as the rare intra-African migrant.

How to get there
By road: From Homa Bay take the main C20 tarmac road in the direction of Rongo. The park main gate is 42 km from Homa Bay. After 10 km branch off to the right at Rodi Konapy and proceed 20 km to Mirogi, here, follow the sign posts using a 12 km murram road to the park, accessing the park main gate at Kamato.

Self- catering Accommodation
The Oribi guest house has 3 bedrooms; one triple and two doubles, with an extension for accommodating drivers and domestic staff. It is managed by KWS, located near park headquarters.
The guest house has one bathroom, a beautifully furnished sitting room with log fire place, dinning are and a fully equipped kitchen.
Alternative Accommodation
There are 2 camping sites: Kamato and Nyati camping sites, in the park premises both of them close to Kamato gate.
The are no facilities at campsites but upon request, fuel wood and water can be provided by the Warden’s office.

Note
The park is accessible all year round; open daily, 6:00am-7:00pm including public holidays.
No entry is allowed on foot.
After 6:15pm visitors will not be allowed entry.

Attractions
-Game attractions including, the endangered Roan Antelope, Oribi, Leopard, Buffalo, Serval cat, Hyena
-Bird life
The park is endowed with over 400 bird species such as the Blue Swallow, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Sun bird,
-Flora such as the Acacia thickets.
Activities
-Game viewing
-Bird watching
-Driving circuit
-Camping

Provided
Caretaker, kerosene lamps, mosquito net, pillows, bed linen, towels, soap and toilet tissue.

What to take
• Picnic items and camping equipment for those who will stay overnight.
• Safe drinking water that is bottled and insect repellent.
• Sun hats, sun glasses.
• Cameras, Binoculars, guide books.

Currency entry charges
Obtainable via Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) headquarters, Nairobi.
Payment acceptable in Kshs or US $.