Ruaha National Park
In Ruaha National Park, you can experience classic safari adventures without encountering many other travellers and safari vehicles. Famous for its high number of predators, elephants, and varied landscapes, walking safaris and hot air balloon rides. All you have to do is leave the popular northern circuit behind and venture South!
The allure of a Ruaha safari is easy to grasp: It’s a huge national park, covering diverse landscapes which are home to an equally diverse number of wildlife species. Wildlife sightings are phenomenal here! At the same time there are comparably few accommodations available. This, coupled with its location in the remote southern part of Tanzania, many miles away from the popular Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater means: Very few travellers make it to Ruaha.
What makes Ruaha National Park special?
Excellent wildlife sightings in diverse landscapes with very few tourists around, make for exclusive safari experiences.
Due to its remoteness, Ruaha is very popular with repeat visitors and passionate safari lovers who have been to Tanzania before.
However, if you would like to visit Ruaha, while not missing out on Serengeti and Ngorongoro, you can choose to fly to Ruaha, landing at one of the bush airstrips inside the park.
Vegetation and landscapes
The vegetation in Ruaha National Park differs drastically between flat treeless savannahs, Miombo woodlands, dry bush lands, swamps, and riverine forests. To illustrate, almost 1650 different plant species can be found in the park, creating a one-of-a-kind botanical paradise.
The park is named after the great Ruaha River of which 160 km flow through the park. It is the most distinctive feature of the park and for its residents the most important. Apart from the river the park is well known for its varied scenery – from large open plains to rolling hills, river systems to wetlands and kopjes to mountains.
The Ruaha National Park marks the transition zone where eastern and southern species of flora and fauna overlap. The Great Rift Valley also runs through the park with escarpment walls rising between 50 and 100 m in height. Natural springs associated with the rift valley are scattered throughout the park.
During the dry season, the majestic Ruaha River recedes to nothing more than a few precious waterholes that predators take complete advantage of. Laying silently in wait, knowing that thirst will drive herds of impalas, gazelles, and other antelopes to come drink. Additionally, the riverine vegetation on the shores around the river helps provide enough cover for lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs and hyenas making it the best hunting ground in the park.
Which animals can you see here?
The Ruaha National Park is famous for having one of the highest concentrations of African elephants in East Africa. Hence, huge numbers of up to 200 are often spotted below giant baobab trees. What’s more, the park is also home to both species of kudu (greater and lesser) as well as the majestic sable and roan antelopes both of which are frequently seen.
Ornithologists are also in for a treat as up to 529 species have been sighted in the park. For example, some of the famous birds include the endemic Ruaha red billed hornbill, kingfishers, sunbirds, black collared lovebirds, ashy starlings, ground hornbills, bateleurs, fish eagles and many more.
Activities
Day-time game drives are the main activity in the park and exciting enough if you ask us. However, if you’d like to change your perspective or add a highlight to your trip, you have the option to book a walking safari or a hot air balloon ride – truly special experiences.
Best time to go to Ruaha National Park
As with many safari destinations, the dry season is the best time to visit Ruaha National Park. Between end of June and November, the mighty Ruaha River is one of the very few water sources for animals – an ideal area for great wildlife sightings. The weather is sunny and warm, but not too hot and the roads are dry and better to navigate. The rains start earlier than on the Northern Circuit and can begin as early as mid-December and last until March. The rainy season is a great time for birders as many migratory birds can be observed. However, during the rainy low season, some accommodations in Ruaha National Park close temporarily, so good planning is essential.
