Ruaha National Park

Why visit Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park is one of Tanzania's largest and wildest parks, covering some 20,000 square kilometres in the centre-south of the country. It sees only a fraction of the visitors of the northern parks, and that sense of space and silence is a large part of its appeal. The landscape is rugged and beautiful: rocky hills, open plains, miombo woodland and some of the largest baobab trees in Africa, all centred on the Great Ruaha River.

Ruaha is known above all for its predators. Lion prides here are often large, leopard are frequently seen in the riverine trees, and cheetah and African wild dog also live in the park. Ruaha holds one of the largest elephant populations in East Africa, and its position where eastern and southern African habitats meet brings species rarely seen in the north, such as greater and lesser kudu, roan and sable antelope. More than 570 bird species have been recorded.

When to go and how to get there

The dry season, from June to October, is the best time for game viewing, as animals gather along the Great Ruaha River and visibility improves. The green season, from November to April, brings lush scenery, newborn animals and excellent birdwatching, with wildlife more spread out; some camps close in the wettest months.

Ruaha is usually reached by light aircraft from Dar es Salaam, Arusha or Zanzibar, landing at the park's Msembe airstrip. It combines naturally with Nyerere National Park for a southern circuit focused on remote, authentic wildlife experiences, or with the more famous Serengeti for contrast. Ask us to plan your Ruaha safari.