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Kenya · National Parks & Wildlife
Ruma National Park
Kenya’s last roan antelope, Rothschild’s giraffes and quiet game drives near the shores of Lake Victoria.
Location
Homa Bay County, Kenya
Park size
About 120 km²
Best time
June to October
Ideal stay
One to two nights
The park
Western Kenya’s hidden park
Ruma National Park lies in the Lambwe Valley of western Kenya, a few kilometres from the shores of Lake Victoria. It is the only place in the country where the rare roan antelope still survives, and it also protects Rothschild’s giraffe, buffalo, leopards and a wide range of birds.
The park sees very few visitors, so you may have sightings entirely to yourself. Rolling grassland, woodland and the Kanyamwa Escarpment give it a different feel from the parks further east.
Ruma takes some effort to reach, so it suits travellers who already know the classic parks. Combine it with the Maasai Mara or a stay on Lake Victoria, or ask us to add it to one of our Kenya private safaris.
Places your guide will show you
Lambwe ValleyKanyamwa EscarpmentLake VictoriaHoma BayNyatoto GateGrassland plains
Only in Ruma
Kenya’s last roan antelope
Wildlife
Who you will meet
Rare antelope and giraffes roam a park that most safari visitors never see.
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01
Rothschild’s giraffe
An endangered giraffe with pale legs, protected here.
02
Rhino
Protected in the park, though sightings are not guaranteed.
03
Buffalo
Herds graze the open grassland and woodland edges.
04
Leopard
Shy and rarely seen, but present in the wooded hills.
05
Antelope
Roan, oribi, Jackson’s hartebeest and impala graze the plains.
Experiences
More than game drives
Ruma is about quiet, unhurried time in the wild and a taste of Lake Victoria.
Quiet game drives
Search for roan antelope and giraffes without other vehicles around.
Lake Victoria sunsets
End the day on Africa’s largest lake near Homa Bay.
Nature trails
Short walks with a ranger in selected areas of the park.
Birdwatching
A wide variety of grassland and woodland birds, including migrants.
Photography
Wide landscapes and rare wildlife with no crowds.
Lakeside evenings
Relax by the lake after a day in the park.
When to visit
The best time for Ruma
Western Kenya gets more rain than the east, so the drier months make Ruma easiest to explore.
Jan – Feb
Short dry season
Warm and dry, with good game viewing on shorter grass.
Mar – May
Long rains
Heavy rain can make park roads difficult.
Jun – Oct
Peak season
Drier months
The best conditions for driving and spotting wildlife.
Nov – Dec
Short rains
Showers and tall green grass.
Getting there
Reaching Ruma
By road
About 425 km from Nairobi, a full day’s drive through the Rift Valley and Kisii.
By air
Fly from Nairobi to Kisumu in about an hour, then continue two to three hours by road.
Combined routes
Break the journey with a night on Lake Victoria or combine it with the Maasai Mara.
Where to stay
Lodges, camps and stays
01
Inside the park
A small number of simple bandas and campsites.
02
Lake Victoria shores
Lodges and hotels near Homa Bay and Mbita.
03
Kisumu
City hotels for travellers flying in and out.
Park entry fees are set by the Kenya Wildlife Service and charged per person per day. Ask us for current rates when you request your quote.
Ready-made trips
Kenya safaris to start from
We do not run fixed trips to Ruma yet, but we can add it to any of these Kenya safaris. Ask us when you enquire.
- Nairobi, Treetops, Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru, Maasai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli
- 12 Days 11 Nights
- Mount Kenya, Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Maasai Mara
- 9 Days 8 Nights
- Aberdare, Solio Game Reserve, Samburu, Lake Nakuru, Maasai Mara
- 7 Days 6 Nights
- Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Hell's Gate, Amboseli
- 8 Days 7 Nights
- Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli
- 6 Days 5 Nights
- Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Hell's Gate
- 5 Days 4 Nights
Good to know
Ruma FAQs
Where is Ruma National Park?
In Homa Bay County in western Kenya, in the Lambwe Valley near the shores of Lake Victoria.
What is Ruma National Park known for?
It is the only place in Kenya where the rare roan antelope still lives. It also protects Rothschild’s giraffe.
How do you get to Ruma National Park?
It is a long day’s drive from Nairobi, or a short flight to Kisumu followed by two to three hours by road.
Is Ruma National Park busy?
No. It is one of Kenya’s least visited parks, so you often have sightings to yourself.
When is the best time to visit Ruma?
June to October, when roads are drier and the grass is shorter.
Can I combine Ruma with the Maasai Mara?
Yes, though it is a long transfer. Many guests break the journey at Lake Victoria.
Talk to a planner
Still deciding?
Our Nairobi team can answer anything about Ruma and shape a route around your dates.
- +254 111 318 596
- +254 705 223 484
- info@topmatoursandsafaris.com
- Mon – Sat: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Your journey
Plan a trip that includes Ruma
Tell us your dates, group size and budget, and we will shape a Ruma itinerary around the season and the experiences you want.
