"Last retreat of the roan antelope"
Ruma National Park is the only Terestial 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 N. Park
It 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.
Location The 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.
It 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.
Access
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
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.
Park Roads
Three main circuits which are motorable all year round 4 wheel drive is necessary during the rainy seasons.
Park Gates
Two gates, the Main Gate (Kamato Gate) and Nyatoto Gate
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
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS
Roan antelope which is found nowhere else in the country.
Birds – Over 400 species of birds have been recorded in this park. It is renowned amongst ornithologists for its rare intra - African migrant, the blue swallow.
The Park provides an unspoiled world for game lovers, bird watchers, tranquility and peace for meditation, historians, campers, team building, picnic, sundowners and scenic beauty.
Facilities.
Campsite
Two campsites, Nyati campsite which is a special campsite and Fig tree campsite which is a public campsite and a backpacker’s haven.
Picnic siteKorlang’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 6 people with a full equipped kitchen.Oribi is solar powered and DSTV available
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.
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Never heard of Roan antelopes before.
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