Overview–kenya

Ruma National Park

The rarely visited Ruma National Park was established to protect Kenya’s last remaining population of the beautiful roan antelope. The park is totally undeveloped and visitors need to be self-sufficient. Some other wildlife has been introduced, but densities are low and animals are skittish. This is a good place to see the endangered blue swallow, which migrates between here and northern Tanzania.

Best Time to Visit

The Park can be visited year-round; however, optimal wildlife viewing occurs during the dry months from June to October and January to February. During these periods, animals congregate around water sources, making them more visible.

Activities Available in Ruma National Park

Visitors can engage in several activities while at Ruma National Park:

Game Drives: Guided tours through the park allow visitors to observe wildlife in their natural habitat.
Bird Watching: With over 400 bird species present, bird watching is a popular activity.
Nature Walks: Guided walks provide an intimate experience with nature.
Camping: There are designated camping areas where visitors can immerse themselves in the wilderness.
Boat Safaris: Exploring nearby water bodies offers unique perspectives on both terrestrial and aquatic wildlife.

Scenery

The scenery is a mix of grassland, rolling hills, and patches of woodland. The park is located in the Lambwe Valley, east of Lake Victoria, and is bordered by the Kanyamaa Escarpment.

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Rates

From: $319 to $2000 pp/da

Best Time to Go

From: June to October and January to February

High Season

From: December to March and July to October (Not busy)

Size

From: 120km² / 46mi²

Wildlife & Animals

This is the only place in Kenya to see the rare roan antelope. Other introduced species include Jackson's hartebeest, black rhino, bohor reedbuck, buffalo, and plains zebra. The localized race of Rothschild's giraffe also lives here. You can sometimes see tracks of leopards and spotted hyenas, but these predators are shy and hard to see.

General Wheather

The weather and climate of Ruma are comparable to that of Kenya in general. Kenya lies on the equator and has a pleasant, tropical climate, but there are large regional climatic variations influenced by several factors, including altitude. Kenya’s daytime temperatures average between 20°C/68°F and 28°C/82°F, but it is warmer on the coast. Kenya is too close to the equator to experience a real winter and summer. There is, however, both a Dry and Wet season.

Dry Season –June to October

During the Dry season, daytime temperatures are usually around 23°C/73°F at higher altitudes, such as the Masai Mara, and 28°C/82°F at lower altitudes, such as the coastal areas. The sky is clear and the days are sunny.

June, July, August, September & October – These are the coldest months. Early morning temperatures at higher altitudes are typically 10°C/50°F. It is advisable to pack warm clothing, as early morning game drives in open vehicles will be cold.

Wet Season –November to May

During the Wet season, daytime temperatures are between 24°C/75°F and 27°C/81°F at higher altitudes. At lower altitudes, daytime temperatures are more consistent and hover around 30°C/86°F. Mornings stay cool at higher altitudes, and it is advisable to pack warm clothes for early morning game drives.

November & December – 'Short rains' – A period of unpredictable short rains between November and December that lasts about a month. The rain is sometimes heavy, but mostly falls in the late afternoon or evening, and will seldom have a negative impact on your safari.
January & February – During these months, a hot, dry spell in the rainy season occurs. How long the spell lasts and when it takes place exactly is unpredictable.
March, April & May – 'Long rains' – These months get the most rain. It’s very cloudy, especially in the highlands, including in Aberdare National Park and Laikipia Plateau. Humidity is higher and will be particularly noticeable in the coastal regions.

Prons

Untouristy, off-the-beaten-track destination
Home to the rare roan antelope
Great wilderness appeal
Good birding with a chance to see the endangered migratory blue swallow

Cons

There is very little wildlife
A lot of tsetse flies
Very limited tourist facilities
Limited road network and roads are in bad condition

How To Get There

Visitors to Ruma need to be totally self-sufficient with a fully equipped 4x4. The park is located 425km/264mi west of Nairobi, 140km/86mi from Kisumu, and 42km/26 mi from Homa Bay on Lake Victoria. There are no regular scheduled air services to Ruma.