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Homa Bay County, western Kenya

Ruma National Park

Information status: Verified

About Ruma National Park

A national park of about 120 km² in Homa Bay County, gazetted in 1966 as a game reserve and later made a national park. It is Kenya's only remaining sanctuary for the endangered roan antelope.

Information status: Verified

Highlights

  • Roan antelope, in Kenya's only remaining sanctuary for them
  • Rothschild's giraffe
  • The endangered blue swallow
  • Game viewing, guided walks and hiking on open plains
Information status: Verified

Suggested time

At least 2 days

Information status: Unconfirmed

Confirm before booking

  • Road conditions from Homa Bay town to Kamato Main Gate
  • Accommodation in or near the park
  • Guided walk arrangements with the park

KenyaPlus does not yet hold verified data for these.

Park gates

Open 06:00 – 18:00

Ruma National Park (Kenya Wildlife Service): gates open at 06:00 and close at 18:00, unless you are spending the night inside the park. Plan the drive so you arrive before closing; the Reality Check works out when to leave.

Information status: Verified

When to go

Rain affects travel in Kenya, especially on unpaved roads. Here is the yearly pattern and the current forecast for Ruma National Park, both from the Kenya Meteorological Department.

  1. January: between the rains.
  2. February: between the rains.
  3. March: long rains.
  4. April: long rains, expected peak.
  5. May: long rains.
  6. June: between the rains.
  7. July: between the rains.
  8. August: between the rains.
  9. September: between the rains.
  10. October: short rains.
  11. November: short rains.
  12. December: short rains.
  • Long rains
  • Short rains
  • Between the rains
  • Expected peak (2026 outlook)
Information status: Estimated

Forecast: October–December 2026

For Homa Bay County, the Kenya Meteorological Department expects above-average rainfall in October–December 2026, with rains already falling from September and continuing into January.

Information status: Verified
Kenya's rainy seasons

More in our guide: Best time to visit Kenya.

Park entry fees

Information status: Verified

Ruma National Park — daily entry

Per person, per 24 hours. Children under 6 enter free.

Ruma National Park — daily entry: fees by visitor category
VisitorAdultChild
East African citizenKES 500KES 250
Kenya residentKES 675KES 350
African citizenUSD 20USD 10
Non-resident / foreign visitorUSD 40USD 20

Official KWS tariff "Conservation Fees 2025", supplied by the KenyaPlus owner and checked on 17 Oct 2026.

  • Listed by KWS with the special interest parks.
  • Entry is charged per person and is valid for one visit of up to 24 hours.
  • Children aged five and younger enter free; the child rate covers ages 5–17, and students up to 23 on an organised visit from their school or college.
  • Kenyan citizens aged 70 and over and persons with disability are exempt.
  • Vehicle charges are extra (from KES 600 a day for a vehicle with fewer than 6 seats), as are camping and activities.

Guides for Ruma National Park

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Sources

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