Ruma National Park

Ruma National Park is a hidden birding gem for nature lovers, birdwatchers, photographers, and wildlife enthusiasts, offering a rich diversity of species and some of Kenya’s most picturesque scenery. This delightful birding hotspot boasts a sensational mix of habitats, making it one of the country’s finest birding destinations. It is the best place to spot the rare Montane Blue Swallow and the iconic Roan Antelope, alongside a wide variety of other species. Thanks to its mild climate and natural landscapes, birdwatching in Ruma is productive throughout the year. For an even more rewarding experience, a visit to Ruma can be seamlessly combined with nearby birding treasures such as Lake Victoria , Busia Grasslands, Mount Elgon, Kongelai Escarpment , and Kakamega Forest , forming part of Kenya’s western birding circuit.

Ruma National Park is a 120-kilometer square wildlife sanctuary in Western Kenya close to the fringes of the mega Lake Victoria . There is so much to see in Ruma National Park, fabulous birds, and lots of large mammals including the alarmingly rare Roan Antelope, breathtaking scenery. Birding is astounding in Ruma with the last remaining habitats of several range-restricted and endangered birds. The park has one of the most picturesque landscapes offering a distinct and astounding sweep of photo opportunities.

The park is the only protected area in Kenya where the globally threatened intra-African migrant Montane Blue Swallow has been recorded which depends upon moist grassland for both feeding and roosting, arriving in Kenya from their breeding grounds in Southern Tanzania around April and departing again in September. Ruma National Park has the highest population of the uncommon Nubian Giraffe . Ruma lies on the flat floor of the seasonally watered Lambwe River Valley bordered by the Kanyamwa Escarpment to the southeast and by the volcanic plugs of the Ruri Hills to the north. The topography is largely rolling grassland, with patches of open woodland thickets. The soils are predominantly “black cotton” clay which is not drivable during the wet season. A strong 4×4 Jeep is recommended to explore all the hidden birding spots in the park during the rainy months. Ruma National Park has two entrance gates; Kamato and Nyatoto

The birding tour in Ruma National Park begins at the wooded hilly patch around the park’s main headquarters one kilometer before the Kamato Gate, the dazzling Ross’s Turaco will be vocal as they feed on the huge fig trees, which will be teeming with other interesting birds such as the Double-toothed Barbet , Meyer’s Parrot , the large boldly-marked African Crowned Eagle will be overheard with it oscillating display flight up in the sky. Spot-flanked Barbet, with its long series of sharp “kwek” notes, will also be picked in the tall trees.

At Kamato Gate, Northern Double-collared Sunbirds are busy sucking nectar on flowers. Tropical Boubou welcome you with a synchronized duet of hollow hoots from the male and ratcheting calls from the female. Inside the Park, the Long-crested Eagle will be sitting on the tall trees waiting patiently to catch its prey, on the road, flocks of the Red-necked Spurfowl will be seen busy feeding, and the spectacular Black-winged Red Bishop will be displaying on the bushes, trying to impress the females and Trilling Cisticola with a distinctive call perched prominently on top of tall grasses. In the moist grassland, keep your eyes peeled for the shy and elusive Streaky-breasted Flufftail . The list of splendid birds in Ruma is endless: Bishops, Eremomela, Eagles , Bustards , and Secretary Birds . There is so much to see in Ruma National Park, from the incredible range of wildlife sightings, such as the elegant Oribi , both Black and White Rhinos , Leopards , Common Zebras , Hyenas, and Topis .