Ruaha National Park Tanzania

Ruaha National Park is the largest national park in Tanzania. It covers an area of about 13,000 square kilometres.

It is located in the middle of Tanzania about 130 kilometers from Iringa. The park is part of a more extensive ecosystem, which includes the Rungwe Game Reserve, Usangu Game Reserve, and several other protected areas.

The name of the park is derived from the Great Ruaha River, which flows along its Southeastern margin and is the focus of game-viewing. The park can be reached by car via Iringa and there is an airstrip at Msembe, the park headquarters.

Ruaha National Park has a bimodal pattern of rainforest; the short rainfall season begins from November to February, while the long season is between March and April. The park experiences its dry season between June and October.

The park is one of the Tanzania birds’ paradises with more than 571 species and some of them are known to be migrants from within and outside Africa.

Ruaha is believed to have a higher concentration of elephants than any National Park in East Africa. It is also a place where, magnificent mammals like Kudu, Sable, and Roan antelopes can easily be spotted in Miombo woodland. The park is also a habitat for endangered wild dogs. Other animals in the park include lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, elands, impalas, bat-eared foxes, and Jackals.

Apart from large animals, the park also harbours a number of reptiles and amphibians such as crocodiles, poisonous and non-poisonous snakes, monitor lizards, agama lizards, and frogs.

The park is characterized by semi-arid types of vegetation, baobab trees, Acacia, and other species. There are over 1,650 plant species that have been identified.

One of Tanzania’s best-kept (and more affordable) secrets, Ruaha is a particularly good complement and contrast to the Selous, although it would be a great addition to any safari to Tanzania the lion viewing around the Mwagusi area is especially rewarding and general predator concentrations across the park are better than many of the other parks in the country. Overall, it is an absolutely excellent safari destination.

Size

Ruaha National Park is the biggest national game park in East Africa, and it covers an area of 20,226km². Ruaha is an integral part of the Rungwa-Kizigo-Muhesi ecosystem.

Location

Ruaha National Park is located central to southern Tanzania, Ruaha National Park is 130km west of Iringa.

Things to do in Ruaha National Park

Bird watching

Avid bird-watchers will not be disappointed on an African safari! Ruaha is home to over 400 bird species and is very quiet means more bird species are recorded.

Canoeing

Explore the aquatic wildlife by boat or canoe this is one of the classic African safari experiences you will have while visiting Ruaha.

Bushwalks

A bushwalk on safari is an excellent way to stretch your legs and get up close to nature.

Cultural visits

There are historical sites in Ruaha that have a rich cultural background of the people living around the park so interested clients can take a trip to discover the culture

Fishing safaris in Ruaha National Park

The main feature of the park is the Ruaha River, which rises in the swamps to the south and sweeps north and eastward through the park. Its deep pools, gorges, and swirling rapids make for excellent fishing. The river features large numbers of hippos and crocodiles as well as the clawless otter.

Game drives

Game drives in open safari cars are one of the main activities in the park as you will be driving in cycles in search of African big game

Night drives

Exceptional game drives in search of nocturnal wildlife are a great safari experience in Ruaha National Park

Photography

During sunrise and set with the water body in the area Ruaha is one of the extraordinary destinations for photography in Tanzania.

When to visit Ruaha National Park Tanzania

June to October is regarded as the best time to visit Ruaha National Park. The national park experiences its dry season over this period, providing the ideal conditions for fantastic game viewing.