Ruma National Park (Kenya) IBA | Summary

KE040

Ruma National Park This is an IBA in Danger!

Current view: Summary

Country/territory: Kenya
Subnational region(s): Nyanza Province

IBA Justification: A1 (1999)

Area: 12,000 hectares (120.00 km²)

BirdLife Partner(s): NatureKenya

Conservation status of the Important Bird Area (IBA)
Year of assessment (most recent)	State (condition)	Pressure (threat)	Response (action)
2023	unfavourable	very high	low

Site summary

Situated 10 km east of Lake Victoria in Homa Bay County is the 120 square kilometer Ruma National Park Important Bird & Biodiversity Area (IBA). It is located in Lambwe river Valley between the Kanyamwa Escarpment and the Gwasi Hills, and characterized by a mosaic of landscapes, ranging from riverine woodland and rolling savannah to magnificent escarpments and towering cliffs offering stunning views of Lake Victoria and the surrounding landscape.

Ruma’s pristine nature makes it a suitable home to a wide variety of biodiversity. It is the last remaining sanctuary for the nationally endangered Roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus) in Kenya. The IBA is an important bird-watching destination hosting more than 400 bird species. It is also the only protected area in Kenya where Blue Swallow (Hirundo atrocaerulea), a globally vulnerable and scarce intra-African migrant, is regularly recorded.

Acknowledgements

Much appreciations to the Kenya wildlife service among other government stakeholders, Nature Kenya, the site support group among other community groups and private entities who are tirelessly working to ensure that Ruma National Park Survives to benefit more and more generations to come.

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Important Bird Area factsheet: Ruma National Park (Kenya). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/ruma-national-park-iba-kenya on 08/01/2025.