Ruma National Reserve
Ruma National Park - "Dramatic Valley of the Roan Antelope, Oribi..."
Background Information
Ruma National Park, formerly Lambwe Valley National Reserve, was established in 1966 but is one of the least visited parks in Kenya. Ruma National Park was established mainly to protect the Roan antelope, which are only found in this part of the country. On the border of Ruma National Park is the Kanyamaa Escarpment, this area is suited to rock climbing. Other wildlife found within the park includes oribi, Jacksons Hartebeest, Rothschild giraffe, cheetah and leopard.
The soils are largely black cotton clay. The surrounding area is settled, with a mix of small scale cultivation and grassy pasture land.
Location:
Ruma National park is situated in Lambwe Valley in South Nyanza, 140 km from Kisumu, 10km east of lake victoria and south west of Homa bay. It lies on the flat floor of the lambwe valley, bordered by the kanyamaa escarpment to the south east.
Climate:
Hot and Humid. Mean annual rainfall is 1200-1600mm.
How To Get There
Roads
The main access is from Kisumu via Homa Bay 140 km or via Kisii and Migori. Both roads are tarmac. From Homa Bay and Migori, park is reached through gravel roads with distances of 24 km and 8 km respectively.
Park Roads
The park has three main circuits.
Park Gates
Main Gate, Nyatoto Gate.
Major Attractions
Roan antelope which is not found anywhere else in the country. Over 145 different bird species have been recorded in Ruma National Park including the fish eagle and white egret. The globally threatened Blue Swallow is seen here regularly as it arrives from its breeding ground in Tanzania.