Travels around the world 2009-2024
Exploring our beautiful planet

Ruma National Park

October 24, 2012  —  Kenya

We visited Ruma Park for a particular species: the Roan antelope. In Kenya, this specie would be unique to this park.

Of course, nothing is simple in Africa and there have been highs and lows during that day.

Ruma National Park - Kenya
At dawn, in the park.
Ruma National Park - Kenya
At dawn, in the park.
Ruma National Park - Kenya
At dawn, in the park.
Ruma National Park - Kenya
Thunderstorm on the horizon.
Ruma National Park - Kenya
Topi.
Ruma National Park - Kenya
Lilac-breasted roller.
Ruma National Park - Kenya
Hamerkop.
Ruma National Park - Kenya
A kind of hornbill.
Ruma National Park - Kenya
Road hazard.

Sometimes after the rains, the roads become quite rough. We never know if there are only a few inches or over a foot of water. Moreover, the bottom could be made of rock or mud. It is always risky to venture in such a track.

Don't worry, we have passed that road without any problem.

Ruma National Park - Kenya
Digging out a path...

Ha, African planning!!! The park's staff was repairing this road. However, when the trucks brought their load, they blocked the main road of the park... and we wanted to pass. We hadn't seen the Roan antelope yet, and we would have more chance to see them by going through this road.

Here it goes, we pay some much in Africa, but we still have to dig our way through. It is frustrating the way things are done. On a positive note, the bulldozer did fix the road a few hours later. We were lucky since we had to take that trail once more.

Ruma National Park - Kenya
African Adventure.

A second misfortune on this day... By wishing to avoid a rock, we (well, in fact :-) Melanie) deviated from the road and a side of the vehicle dug itself in the ditch.

We were worried not to be able to get out, but after 40-50 minutes and a bit of digging, we succeeded in getting out of that hole. Fortunately, there were always two wheels on the gravel... and the vehicle is a four-wheel drive. Melanie is coming back with the shovel, relieved that we managed to get out of this problem. She got scared since she was a little bit angry at herself...

Ruma National Park - Kenya
Ruma National Park - Kenya
Ruma National Park - Kenya
African Fish Eagle.
Ruma National Park - Kenya
Ruma National Park - Kenya
Note the baby giraffe.
Ruma National Park - Kenya
Ruma National Park - Kenya
The approaching thunderstorm made out for great landscapes.
Ruma National Park - Kenya
Impala.
Ruma National Park - Kenya
Waterbuck.
Ruma National Park - Kenya

Here is the animal we wanted to see in this park. At the end of the day, we managed to see some Roan antelopes. There are magnificent animals.

Ruma National Park - Kenya
Ruma National Park - Kenya
Roan antelopes.