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| Ruma National Park | |
|---|---|
| Lambwe Valley Game Reserve (1966) | |
 Cape buffaloes at Ruma National Park, August 2014 | |
  | |
| Location | Nyanza Province,Kenya |
| Nearest city | Homa Bay |
| Coordinates | 0°38′36″S34°16′48″E / 0.6432°S 34.28°E /-0.6432; 34.28 |
| Area | 120 km2 (46 sq mi) |
| Established | Gazetted in 1983 |
| Governing body | Kenya Wildlife Service |
| Website | www |
Ruma National Park is the only terrestrial park in Kenya'sNyanza Province. Dubbed the "Last Retreat of the Roan Antelope", the park protects the only indigenous population of rareroan antelopes withinKenya. At present, the population is on the verge of extinction with individual populations numbering approximately 40.[1] The park was established in 1966 as Lambwe Valley Game Reserve. It was later renamed “Ruma” after one of Kenya's most powerful wizard, the much feared Gor Mahia who lived around the park (affiliated toGor Mahia F.C.). The park is located in the vastLambwe Valley.
Game species range fromAfrican leopards (Panthera pardus pardus),roan antelopes (Hippotragus equinus),eastern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis michaeli),Rothschild's giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi),oribis (Ourebia ourebi),cape buffalos,Lelwel hartebeests (Alcelaphus buselaphus lelwel),olive baboons,Bohor reedbucks (Redunca redunca),hyenas,servals (Leptailurus serval),topis (Damaliscus korrigum),honey badgers (Mellivora capensis),bushpigs (Potamochoerus larvatus) andvervet monkeys among others.
Over 400 species ofbirds have been recorded in the park, making it anImportant Bird Area. The rare intra-African migrant, theblue swallow (Hirundo atrocaerulea) is one such avian species.
The park is accessible from two gates, the Main Gate (Kamato Gate) and Nyatoto Gate. Payment is cashless[2]