Ruaha National Park| Image Travel

True Wildrness Experience:Ruaha is one of Tanzania's best-kept secrets. Due to its remote location on the Southern Safari Circuit, it receives far fewer visitors than the parks in the north. This means you can experience the African bush without the crowds, often feeling like you have the entire park to yourself. The vast, rugged landscape and minimal human presence make for a truly wild and immersive safari.
The great Ruaha river:The park is named after the Great Ruaha River, which is its lifeblood. The river flows along the southeastern boundary and is the main focus of game viewing, especially during the dry season (June to October). As other water sources dry up, a huge concentration of animals—from elephants to predators—gathers along the riverbanks to drink and hunt, providing spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities.
Tanzania's largest elephant population: Ruaha is home to the largest elephant population in Tanzania. During the dry season, you can witness massive herds of these majestic animals congregating near the river, digging in the sandy riverbeds for water, and socializing.

High predator consentrations: The park is a premier destination for predator sightings. It is home to roughly 10% of the world's lion population, and you can often see large prides of over 20 individuals. Ruaha also has a reputation for excellent leopard sightings and is a crucial stronghold for the endangered African wild dog. Cheetahs and spotted hyenas are also common.
Unique Flora & Fauna:Ruaha's location is unique, straddling the transition zone between the drier, southern African ecosystems and the eastern African ones. This results in a fascinating blend of wildlife and plant species that you won't find together anywhere else.
Birdwatchers Paradise:With over 570 species of birds recorded, Ruaha is a fantastic destination for birding. It hosts a mix of southern and northern African species, as well as a variety of raptors and unique endemics. The park is especially rewarding for birdwatchers during the wet season (November to April) when migratory birds arrive.

Ruaha National Park Wildlife Experience

Ruaha has the largest concentration of elephants in East Africa with a population of around 10,000 of these gentle giants. Ruaha is also home to 10% of global lion populations. You also have a chance of seeing leopards, cheetahs, zebras, elands, giraffes, impalas, bat-eared foxes, snakes, crocodiles, and jackals. Ruaha’s unique position on the verge of Southern Africa means that it is home to species from Southern and Eastern Africa. The greater and lesser kudu can both be found at Ruaha. Whilst the greater kudu is traditionally found in Southern Africa, the lesser kudu is found in East Africa.

Ruaha is home to dozens of rare species, including the sable and roan antelopes. Cheetahs and leopards are difficult to spot in most places, but they are often sighted as they pursue their prey in the open plains of Ruaha. The wild dog is endangered worldwide, but around 100 wild dogs live in the park. Ruaha is a birdwatcher’s paradise and 571 bird species have been sighted at the park. Ruaha also has beautiful landscapes which are dotted with acacias, baobabs, and over 1,650 plant species.

Best time to visit
The Ruaha National Park

Like most other Tanzanian national parks, it is best to visit Ruaha during the long dry season from June to October. It is relatively cool during this period compared to the hot dry season from mid-December to mid-March. The dry season also provides great conditions for wildlife viewing because animals are drawn to the dwindling water sources and the grass is too short for them to hide. For bird enthusiasts, the European winter months (December to April) are the best time to visit as migratory birds make their way down to Tanzania. Some lodges close in the long-wet season (March-May), so you will need to be flexible when you are finding your accommodation.

How to get there

Ruaha’s remote location means that it is difficult to access, but the long journey is rewarded ten times over by the secluded safari paradise that awaits. The Southern Safari Circuit is less popular, so flight connections are not as frequent. You can reach Ruaha via plane or car, although we recommend the former for ease and comfort. If you do decide to drive, you'll get a wonderful insight into rural Tanzanian life, and you can enjoy the changing landscapes that never fail to impress. If you decide to stop over in Morogoro or Iringa, you can even get a taste of traditional village life. Ruaha is 625 km away from Dar es Salaam and the road journey takes around 9 hours. You can also drive from Iringa which is only 130 km away. By plane, the journey is a lot shorter. There are frequent flights from Dar es Salaam, Arusha, the Serengeti, Kigoma, and Dodoma to the local airstrips, Msembe and Jongomero.

Ruaha National Park Birdlife

Ruaha is a paradise for birdwatching lovers; over 570 species of birds are recorded in the park. Ruaha is home to the rare Eleonora’s Falcon, found during December and January. Other species of birds include Bee-eaters, Raptors, Hornbills, Egyptian goose, African black duck, Helmeted guinea fowl, Scaly francolin, Little grebe, Namaqua dove, Yellow-throated sandgrouse, Fiery -necked nightjar, Alpine swift, Jacobine cuckoo, Black crake, White-bellied bustard, Grey go-away bird among others.