Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park, located in south-central Tanzania, is the second largest park in Tanzania and one of the largest in Africa, covering a total area of ​​20,226 square kilometres (7,809 square miles). It is about 130 kilometres (80 miles) west of Iringa. The park is part of the Rungwa-Kizigo-Muhesi Ecosystem, which covers over 45,000 square kilometres (18,000 square miles) and includes the Rungwa, Kizigo, and Muhesi Game Reserves, as well as the Mbompia Wildlife Management Area. Ruaha National Park is the ideal location for an off-the-beaten-track Tanzania safari, offering a natural environment of grasslands, rocky terrain, riverine forests, and woodlands. The park’s name comes from the Great Ruaha River, which flows along its southeastern boundary and serves as the park’s primary water source. However, another river, Njombe, rushes through the park’s gorges and stony plains.

During the dry season, the rivers dry up, inviting species to drink in the surviving pools and providing an excellent viewing opportunity. The riverbeds are frequently visited by large herds of elephant, giraffe, impala, buffalo, kudu, and other animals. Ruaha National Park is also an excellent area to see hartebeest, sable, and roan antelopes. The park also has the largest elephant population in Tanzania. Despite being one of Tanzania’s largest and most diversified national parks, Ruaha is one of the least visited, thus safaris here provide a sense of exclusivity, particularly for those who prefer small groups. You might be interested in the Great Wildebeest Migration.

How To Get To Ruaha National Park

The most convenient way to arrive to Ruaha National Park is by chartered or scheduled flight to one of the park’s airstrips. All Tanzania safaris to Ruaha depart from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city and the country’s entry point, Julius Nyerere International Airport (JAR). Your tour operator will arrange for a vehicle to pick you up at the airport and transport you to your lodging facility. Alternatively, flights connect Ruaha to the city of Arusha.

However, Ruaha National Park can also be reached by car; the journey from Dar es Salaam to Ruaha takes around 10 hours on a dusty road with spectacular views. Furthermore, Mikumi National Park is around five hours away from Ruaha National Park, making it an excellent stopover for animal viewing.

Ruaha National Park’s attractions

The fauna of Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park is an excellent wildlife viewing destination with a diverse animal population, including the world’s largest elephant population, 10% of the world’s lion population (serving as one of Tanzania’s lion conservation units), and a high concentration of predators such as African wild dogs, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, and the elusive leopard. There are many Greater and Lesser Kudu, giraffes, buffalo, zebras, warthogs, gazelles, giraffes, black-backed jackals, sable and roan antelopes, Defassa kobs, impalas, elands, bat-eared foxes, and hartebeests, to name a few. Hippos and crocodiles can be spotted near the Ruaha River. The park also has a diverse reptile and amphibian population.

Bird Watching Safaris in Ruaha National Park

The birdlife of Ruaha National Park is diverse, with over 580 species recorded, including grassland birds, forest birds, waterbirds, and migratory species from Europe, Asia, the Australian fringe, and Madagascar, particularly the sooty falcon from the Sahara desert and the rare Eleonora’s falcon from the Mediterranean. Other interesting species to see are the Ruaha red-billed hornbill, African fish eagle, crested eagle, black-billed bustard, Tanzanian red-billed hornbill, yellow-collared lovebird, Goliath heron, saddle-billed stork, white-headed plover, white-backed night heron, and many more.

The freshly acquired wetland, Usangu Basin, is the best spot in Ruaha National Park to see birds. Birdlife International has recognised the marsh as an Important Bird Area (IBA) due to its diverse species population. Birds can be observed in Ruaha National Park all year, but the best time to watch them is during the rainy season, which runs from March to May. From November to April, the park also hosts migratory species.

Tourist activities at Ruaha National Park

Car Safaris

Game drives are the most popular tourist activity in Ruaha National Park. A game drive can be done in the morning, evening, or whole day, allowing you to get up close and personal with the vast range of wildlife, breathtaking landscape, the big Ruaha River, and many bird species, all from the luxury of a 4×4 safari vehicle. During your game drive, you may see spectacular lions, cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs, and leopards, though they are elusive on the vast plains in large numbers, as well as other magnificent animals such as elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, gazelles, Greater and Lesser Kudu, elands, Defassa waterbucks, and many more.

Night safaris.

Ruaha National Park also provides great night safaris, which allow visitors to watch nocturnal species that they would not see during a daytime safari. During the night safari, you will be accompanied by an armed ranger with torches to help you spot the animals. Porcupines, bat-eared foxes, African genets, lions, leopards, hyenas, and galagos are just a few of the highlights of Ruaha National Park night safaris.

Bird watching

Ruaha National Park is an excellent place to go bird viewing, with over 580 species documented. Visitors to Ruaha can see both permanent and migratory bird species. Bird viewing in Ruaha is best done in the early morning when the bush and places surrounding your lodge are at their best. Expect to see species like the barbet, bateleur eagle, black-headed fish eagle, goliath heron, Tanzanian red-billed hornbill, ashy starling, white-bellied turaco, yellow-collared lovebird, collared blackbird, hawk goose, African sparrowhawk, and racket-crested roller, among others. Ruaha National Park is excellent for birdwatching between November and April, when migrating birds arrive from Europe and North Africa.

Walking safaris

Ruaha National Park also provides walking safaris, which are an excellent opportunity to explore the park’s breathtaking wildness. Walking safaris can last anywhere from one to four hours, depending on your speed and the area explored. A experienced ranger guides visitors through the park, discussing the creatures, birds, and plants they discover along the way. The guiding is superb, and viewing the game on foot is an exciting and unusual wildlife experience.

Boat Safari

Ruaha National Park boat safaris take place along the Ruaha River. A Ruaha boat safari allows you to get up close and personal with animals like hippos, crocodiles, and monitor lizards, as well as observe a variety of species along the river drinking and relaxing. The Ruaha River offers an excellent natural setting for boat safaris and canoeing.

The best time to visit Ruaha National Park.

Ruaha National Park is a year-round safari destination in Tanzania; however, the best time to come is during the dry season, which runs from June to October. These months provide excellent opportunity for wildlife viewing since animals congregate around water sources, giving tourists some of the best wildlife sights. However, the rainy season, which lasts from March to May, is ideal for bird watching, photography, and admiring the lush and picturesque surroundings.