Ruko Conservancy

North and East of Lake Baringo

Introduction

Ruko Conservancy is a 19,000 hectare area to the North and East of Lake Baringo, consisting of bushland and about 10 kms of shoreline. It includes the former Il Chamus village of Longicharo at the north eastern corner of the Lake, which has now been abandoned. The Conservancy was started in 2004 with the aim of bringing peace between the neighbouring communities of the Pokot and Il Chamus (Masai) who often clashed over grazing rights. The Il Chamus have been removed to neighbouring areas while the Pokot are still resident within the Conservancy. The Pokot village of Komolion is just outside the western boundary of the Conservancy and is the administrative headquarters of the Conservancy. The Il Chamus village of Rugus is on the East side of the Conservancy and houses the rangers. The name Ruko is taken from the two names of Rugus and Komolion.

Ruko Conservancy is supported by Northern Rangelands Trust.

Visitors to the Ruko Conservancy are still few as it is quite challenging to get there. The author, Mark Archer, camped the night in the Conservancy and walked across the Conservancy from West to East in 2008 and you may read the account here.

RUKO TRIATHLON 2010

Ruko Conservancy is planning a TRIATHLON for February 2010. The idea of this sporting event will be to attract teams of three (a runner, a cyclist and a rower to cover the distance between the shoreline and Samatian island.)

The Ruko Triathlon 2010 is still in the planning stages but interested parties may contact the planning committee by emailing triathlon@lake-baringo.com

or by ringing Rebecca at 0717730341

Ownership

The Conservancy comprises land which has been turned into a Conservancy area under the ownership or jurisdiction of the Pokot and the Il Chamus communities.

Contacts

The Conservancy Manageress is called

Rebecca Ruto Chebet

0717730341

rebeccachebet@yahoo.com

For other general enquiries please email

ruko@lake-baringo.com

Directions

Ruko is accessible by boat from Kampi ya Samaki. Those interested should contact Lake Baringo Boats and Excursions. For those interested in bringing a guide contact Labgas who will organize a trip for you through the Conservancy management.

You may drive to Ruko. Go 10 kms north of the turnoff for Kampi ya Samaki and in the middle of Loruk village take a right turn to Tangulbei. Continue along this road for about 10 ks until you reach a small duka (shop) and a matatu stage. The turn into Ruko (on the right) is about 300 metres after the duka on the right marked by a white pole. There are no signposts as yet.

Affiliates and Links

Baringo District Local Association of Tourist Operators

The Tamarind Garden Lodgings and Restaurant   Lake Baringo Boats & Excursions   Labgas Bird Guides

West Bay Campsite Kudu Campsite Lake Bogoria Lake Baringo Ruko Conservancy Lake Bogoria