Ruma National Park 1 Day Safari Kisumu Tours

Ruma National Park 1-Day Safari Kisumu Tours: Enjoy an action-packed day of wildlife viewing with a professional guide in the Ruma National Park, transport and lunch included. Ruma National Park lies in Western Kenya, close to the shores of Africa’s largest inland Lake, Lake Victoria. Also known as the Lambwe Valley Game Reserve, the park is about 140 km from Kisumu, 10 km east of Lake Victoria, and southwest of Homa Bay. 

Ruma National Park day trip visitors have an opportunity to see various wildlife species including the Rothschild’s giraffe, serval cat, hyena, impala, vervet monkey, roan antelope, oribi, bohor reedbuck, leopard, buffalo, and Jackson’s hartebeest a larger and redder species than the Coke’s Hartebeest . At Ruma National Park, remnants of the disappearing roan antelope still roam. The Oribi, one of the smallest of the antelope family, lives here as well.  Other game to see include predators like lion, leopard, hyena and cheetah. The eastern black rhino, the Rothschild’s giraffe, cape buffalo, lelwel hartebeest, olive baboon, bohor redbuck, serval, honey badger, bush pig and vervet monkey are also an attraction.

At Ruma National Park you can see an exceptionally diverse population of snakes including some of Africa’s Big Five snakes like the African spitting cobra, forest cobra, python, eastern green mamba, black-mouthed mamba, and puff adder.

There are more than 400 species of birds in Ruma National Park such as migrant Blue swallows, kingfishers, sunbirds, and African fish eagles. Because of this diversity of birdlife, Ruma National Park is an Important Bird Area (IBA) renowned among ornithologists, particularly for its rare and globally threatened blue swallow. This intra-African migrant arrives in Kenya from its breeding grounds in southern Tanzania to roost and feed around April and then departs in September.Ruma National Park activities include wildlife viewing, nature walks, bird watching and Boat rides on Lake Victoria.

Ruma National Park 1 Day Safari Kisumu Tours is a day excursion to the wild and wonderful Ruma National Park situated in Lambwe Valley in South Nyanza. The park is about 140 km from Kisumu, 10 km east of Lake Victoria, and southwest of Homa Bay.

The park was established mainly to protect the Roan antelope which does not occur anywhere else in the country. Ruma National Park attractions include game viewing, bird watching, hiking, walking, boating, and fishing in the rivers.

Ruma National Park is a haven for wildlife, the park is known for hosting Kenya’s last remaining sanctuary of endangered roan antelopes which are one of Africa’s rarest antelopes and the third largest among Kenya’s antelope family. Roan antelopes are called Korongo in Swahili, these animals are physically large with distinctive black and white patches.

Other animals found in Ruma Park include Rothschild’s giraffe, serval cat, hyena, impala, vervet monkey, Oribi, bohor reedbuck, leopard, buffalo, Jackson’s hartebeest, rhino, White rhino, Burchell′s zebra, Jackson’s hartebeest, honey badgers, bush pigs, Topis, hyenas, servals, bohor reedbucks, Lelwei hartebeests and many more.

Ruma National Park is also home to reptiles such as the African spitting cobra, forest cobra, eastern green mamba, black-mouthed mamba, and puff adder.

Ruma National Park has more than 400 recorded species of birds including the rare blue swallow which is found in a few areas of Kenya, other birds found in the park include kingfishers, sunbirds African fish eagles, red-necked francolin, crested francolin, speckled pigeons, African green- pigeon and many more.

Lambwe River: Lambwe River in Ruma Park is the main water source in the park, the river is not only a water source it is also a habitat for many animals and birds of the park. Lambwe River is covered by riverine woodlands along its banks and being the only prominent water source it is always crowded by many animals which come to drink water and water birds.

No entry is allowed on foot and visitors will not be allowed entry after 1815 hours.

0630 hours; Depart from Kisumu after early breakfast by road passing through Kendu Bay and Homa Bay town to Ruma National Park through Nyatoto gate. En route, you’ll see typical Luo homesteads.

1000 Hours: Once in the park we proceed for an extensive game drive. Ruma lies on the flat floor of the seasonally watered Lambwe River valley. The terrain is mainly rolling grassland, with tracts of open woodland thickets.  On your game drive, you will see Africa’s rarest antelope called the Roan Antelope.

They live in herds of up to 20 members, led by a bull. You will also be lucky to see the Oribi antelope which lives in small groups or pairs.  Other animals to look out for include black rhinos, leopards, buffalo, hyenas, Rothschild’s giraffes, oribi, Jackson, and level hartebeest. Ruma National Park has more than 400 recorded species of birds.

The park is the only protected area in Kenya where the globally threatened blue swallow is recorded.  Ruma has an exceptional snake population. Easily spotted species include The African spitting cobra, forest cobra, eastern green mamba, black-mouthed mamba, and puff adder. The park also abounds with lizards, skinks, and geckos.

1300 Hours: After exploring the park and its inhabitants enjoy a box lunch in the park at the Twiga picnic site which is in the middle of the Park allowing you to snack with the animals.

1400 Hours: Proceed for another game drive in the park.

1500 Hours: Exit the park and proceed by road to Kisumu.

1830 Hours: Return to Kisumu.

Ruma National Park 1 Day Safari Kisumu Tours Rates Includes:

Professional English-speaking guides + Visit Ruma National Park on a game drive + All entry fees, guide fees, service charges, and taxes + Pickup from your hotel in Kisumu City and drop off at your hotel + Picnic lunch or hot lunch at Homabay Cold Springs Hotel + Complimentary visit to Lake Simbi (a haven for bird watchers) after the game drive to see flamingos, and other birds)

Notes

* Overnight trips are also available. Kindly request at [email protected]
* Ruma National Park day trips can also be conducted from Rusinga Island as the park is only 30 km away

Ruma National Park 1-Day Safari Kisumu Tours Rates Do Not Include:

* Drinks
* Laundry
* Tips or gratuity
* Travelers Insurance
* Communication charges
* Visas, international airfares, and airport taxes; meals
* Lunch or dinner in town (option and extra charges direct)
* Sightseeing not included in the package; optional activities
* Personal expenses such as transfers to/ from the airport (supplement airport transfer cost applies for tours starting from the airport)

Ruma National Park is the only Terrestrial 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 National Park.

Ruma National Park was renamed “Ruma” upon the request of the local community. The area had been so named by one of Kenya’s most powerful wizards, the much feared Gor Mahia who lived around the park. The park is large of black cotton soil with the surrounding area settled with a mix of small-scale cultivation and grassy pasture land.

Ruma National 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 South West of Homa Bay, and 425 km west of Nairobi.

Ruma National Park lies on the flat floor of the Lambwe Valley, bordered by the Kanyamwa escarpment to the southeast, Gwassi Hills, Sumba hill, and Ruri hills to the north. The Park covers an area of 120 square kilometers. Main access is from Kisumu via Homa Bay – 140 Kilometers, via Kisii – 65 Kilometers.

The main gate is 42 km from Homa Bay and takes the 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 Kilometers from Homa Bay take the main C – 20 tarmac road in the direction of Rongo. After 2 Kilometers branch off to the right at Mbita – Homa Bay Road junction. After the 11km branch left at the park signage taking road D213 to Kamato Gate.

From Kisii via Rongo to Rodi Kopany branching off to the left. One can also access the Park from Kisumu via Lwanda K’otieno from Lwanda K’otieno take the ferry to Mbita then drive 20 Kilometers to Nyatoto Gate. Ruma National Park has three main circuits which are motorable all year round 4 wheel drive is necessary during the rainy seasons.

* Area: 120 Square Kilometers
* Open: 6.00 Am to 7.00 Pm daily
* Birds: More than 400 recorded species
* Location: Suba District, Nyanza Province
* Altitude: 1,200 – 1,600 meters above sea level
* Animals: Giraffe, Hyena, Impala & Velvet Monkey
* Ruma National park is the last Retreat of the Roan Antelope
* Vegetation: Savanna grassland and woodland with extensive acacia thickets
* Roads: 4WD is recommended all year round and essential in the rainy season
* Note: No entry is allowed on foot and visitors will not be allowed entry after 6.15 pm
* Ruma offers sanctuary to the threatened Roan Antelope, one of Africa’s rarest Antelopes
* Ruma National Park Gates: Two gates, the Main Gate (Kamato Gate) and Nyatoto Gate
* Climate: humid climate, long rains falling April – June & Short Rains falling October – December
* Ruma National park lies in Western Kenya, close to the shores of Africa’s largest inland lake, Lake Victoria|
* Wildlife: includes Roan Antelope, Oribi, Mountain Reedbuck, Leopard, Buffalo, Jacksons Hartebeest, Rothchild’s Giraffe
* Distance from Nairobi: 425 Kilometers West of Nairobi.10 Kilometers East of Lake Victoria & 23 Kilometers South West of Homabay

Ruma National Park 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 from October – December

Ruma National Park Major Attractions

Roan antelope which is found nowhere else in the country. Wildlife – Roan antelope, leopard, buffalo, hyena, Rothschild’s giraffe, oribi, Jackson, and lelwel hartebeest, impala, bohor Reedbuck, serval cat, topi, baboons, vervet monkey, honey badgers, bush pig and many more.

Birds – Ruma National Park

Ruma is an IBA area with over 400 species of birds recorded. It is renowned amongst ornithologists for its rare intra – African migrant, the blue swallow. Ruma National Park provides an unspoiled world for game lovers, and bird watchers, tranquillity and peace for meditation, historians, campers, team building, picnic, sundowners, and scenic beauty.

Ruma National Park Facilities/ Accommodation

Ruma National Park Campsite has two campsites, Nyati campsite which is a special campsite, and Fig tree campsite which is a public campsite, and a backpacker’s haven.

Ruma National Park Picnic site

Korlang’o picnic site which is a historical site as Korlango was used as an escape route by the Kalenjin during the colonial time when they were brought to Lambwe Valley to die during the resistance, 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 which Gor Mahia used to frequent. For those who want to have an overnight stay and appreciate the Park’s unique attributes of tranquillity, wilderness, scenic beauty, and watching the sunset.

It has 3 bedrooms accommodating a maximum of 5 people with a fully equipped kitchen.

Ruma National Park 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 a unique mosaic of riverine woodland and Balanties trees.

Mobile: +254-721-242-711
WhatsApp: +254-721-242-711
Reservations: +254 718-179-967
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://africanspicesafaris.com