Thanks to the undulated wilderness and abundance of water, Ruaha National Park is home to a vast variety of species. With over 500 bird species, the air is alive with the beating of wings and vibrant song. The red billed hornbill is a spectacular local species native to this very area. When the rains sweep the skies during the wet season the birds swoop down to perch on branches, catch fish in the rivers and call for mates.

The river boasts a spectacular range of reptiles, from slippery crocodiles snapping their jaws to large turtles that drop in the water with a gentle plop. Frogs strike up a chorus as the stars begin to glisten in the sky and snakes slither across the ground. Plenty of hot blooded creatures prowl these plains, from salivating African wild dogs to sprinting cheetahs. One of the parks biggest allures is the staggering herds of elephants that roam the riverbanks, bathing in the soft mud and hosing each other down in the baking sun. Be sure to catch a glimpse of the magnificent Sable antelopes with their curved horns and impressive stature.

If the ancient fauna and flora doesn’t make you feel like you have stepped into the land of the lost then perhaps the historical significance that surround this park will excite and inspire. The Ruaha National Park is part of the trading route taken by the Arab Caravans back in 1830. They took this very route through the National Park en route to Zanzibar, their wagons loaded with guns and leather which they hoped to trade for silk and spice.

This is also the land of Chief Mkwawa, leader of the fierce tribe that battled the German invasion in the late 19th century. Whilst this beautiful ancient land is stained with blood many believe the landscape holds the secrets of the great and the brave Chief Mkwawa.

Ruaha really has it all. Aside from rhino, all major safari animals are present in good numbers. Lions tend to live in large prides of sometimes more than 20 individuals. To feed themselves, they often attack big animals like buffalo. Ruaha has an unusually high diversity of antelopes, including many of the rarer species like lesser kudu, roan and sable antelopes. The male Kudu have beautiful spiralled horns while male Sable antelope have impressive curved horns. Ruaha is also believed to have one of the highest concentration of elephants of any national park in East Africa.

Ruaha genuinely feels wilder than any of the parks in the North of Tanzania, but its real claim to fame are the wild dog packs, which are seen quite easily. There are only a handful of places where these charismatic pack animals are easily observed and Ruaha is one of the best.

Ruaha is also home to the largest population of greater kudu in East Africa.

In terms of vegetation, Ruaha National Park is characterized by semi-arid type of grassland with baobab trees, Acacia and other species populating it. There are over 1650 plant species that have been identified. The park is the transitional point of two vegetation zones, the Zambezian (characterized by Miombo vegetation) and Sudanian (characterized by Acacia vegetation).

Apart from large animals, the park also harbors a number of reptiles and amphibians such as crocodiles, poisonous and non-poisonous snakes, monitor lizards, agama lizards and frogs. The Great Ruaha and Mzombe rivers are presumably the most preferred habitat for crocodiles.

For birdlife, Ruaha National Park is famed as one of Tanzania’s bird paradises with more than 571 species recorded and some of them are known to be migrants from within and outside Africa. Migrating species from Europe, Asia, Australian rim and Madagascar have been recorded in the park. Species of interest in the park include Ruaha red-billed hornbill (Tokus ruahae) which is dominant in the area. The recently annexed wetland, the Usangu basin is one of the country’s important bird area (IBA) as recognized by Birdlife International. Though birds can be seen all the year around, the best time for bird watching is during the wet season.

DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS YOU WILL EXPERIENCE

RIVERSIDE	MIOMBO

 

Ruaha National Park is located in the Southern safari circuit area of Tanzania. Most safaris to Ruaha National Park embark from Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam, probably via charter flight to the Ruaha air strip. In fact, Dar is a great place to relax before and after your trip to the Ruaha Park. Chartered flights can also be arranged from Arusha and other regional airports such as the Selous Game Reserve airstrip, about 90 mins flight away. There are both scheduled and chartered flights into the park mainly from Arusha, Dodoma, Kigoma and Dar-es-salaam.

 Ruaha’s entrance gate is reachable by car in a 130km drive from Iringa town and 625km from Dar-es-Salaam. The road into the park is passable throughout the year.

The climate in Ruaha National Park can vary from hot and humid to very dry. The dry season runs from May through until December and this is prime time for glimpsing the numerous packs of lions and other big game mammals. It is at this time you can observe the elephants digging the banks for water.

However when the sky changes from blue to black and the rainy season floods in the park springs to life with beautiful blooming flowers, the birds descend from the trees and the Greater Kudu come out in full flourish to start the mating season.

 

Total Land Area	Elevation above sea level	Nearest Major City & Airport	When To Visit
10,300 sq km About the same size as Lebanon	750 -1830m About 333 stacked giraffes	DAR About 630 km East	Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

 

Total Land Area

10,300 sq km About the same size as Lebanon

Elevation above sea level

750 -1830m About 333 stacked giraffes

Nearest Major City & Airport

DAR About 630 km East

When To Visit

Jan Feb Mar Apr May  Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

 

This is usually in a large vehicle with space for up to 8 guests. Can decrease prices a lot especially for groups less than 3. Great opportunity to meet other people from around the world. You have separate rooms but the benefit of good company during transfers and meals. View Shared Safaris

This is a private vehicle allowing you complete freedom. You can decide on when you want to start & end your safari day. Complete freedom – stop when & for how long you want. Recommended for specialist photographers, honeymooners and families View Private Safaris