Ruaha National Park

Overview

Ruaha National Park takes its name from the Ruaha River, which flows along its southeastern border. The river provides permanent water in the park, and during the dry season animal concentration along its banks is spectacular. Ruaha National Park is about two to three hours drive from Iringa, a famous town on the Dar es Salaam to Zambia highway. Covering an area of 20,226 square kilometers, Ruaha is the largest National Park in Tanzania. Its borders were extended in 2008 to include Usangu Game Reserve to protect the Ihefu wetlands and the Great Ruaha River catchment areas and biodiversity.

This wilderness is rich in flora and fauna and contains a wide variety of animals that includes Greater and Lesser Kudu, roan and sable antelopes, which are rarely seen in most other game parks especially in Northern Tanzania.

Ruaha National Park is famous for its herds of elephant and buffaloes. The Ruaha River, which plays an important role in the park’s ecosystem, provides sanctuary to a large number of hippos and crocodiles. During the dry season the river attracts great quantities of game including lions, leopard, hunting or wild dog, impala, waterbuck, warthog, giraffe, and elands. In the plains ostriches, cheetahs and Grants Gazelles can be seen. The park is rich in bird life throughout the year, with over 450 bird species recorded. The best time for game viewing is during the dry season, from May to December. During the wet months from January to April some tracks become impassable.

Climate

Ruaha National Park enjoys only one rainy season, usually from the end of November to May with annual average rainfall ranging from 500 to 800mm. The park is located at an altitude between 750 and 1868 meters.

Getting there

The park is accessible by road and air

Road. From Iringa town it is 108km to the main gate (Y-Junction), 625Km from Dar es Salaam and 480Km from Mbeya City.

Air. Daily flights from Dar es Salaam and Arusha is the easiest way to Ruaha. Airstrips are located at Msembe and Jongomero. Coastal Aviation, Auric Air and Safari Link all have scheduled flights to Ruaha.

Park Attractions

Not only does Ruaha enjoy abundant wildlife, but the magnificent and constantly changing landscapes add a magical touch to the whole experience. Baobabs dot the rocky hillsides, the cool green shade along the River, the open grassy plains, all make a wonderful and exciting trip.

Wild Animals: This is the place where visitors can see both Lesser and Greater Kudu because it is the southernmost limit for Lesser Kudu in African continent. It is also possible to see, Sable and Roan antelope, Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest, Topi, both Southern and Bohor reedbuck and it is the southernmost limit of Grants Gazelle.In addition to this, Ruaha boasts a healthy population of Wild Dogs, Leopard, Lions, Cheetah, Buffalo, and Elephant, not to mention all the other species, of which there are plenty

Birds: With 574 species recorded in Ruaha, it is difficult to visit this beautiful Park and not be impressed by the number and variety of birds you see.

Baobab ”Upside down tree’: The park is known for having baobab trees scattered all over the park. During dry season, the baobab trees shed leaves, leaving only bare branches that resemble roots.Therefore people nick named it “roots up tree”.

The Great Ruaha River: ”The life of Ruaha” and one of the main attraction for many tourists.

Tourism activities

Various activities are available in the park, such as day and night game drive, walking safari, cultural tourism, bush meal, bird watching, star gazing, balloon safari and picnicking.

Walking Safari: This activity takes a visitor more close to nature as it provides a chance of tracking animals by their footprints, stopping to admire birdlife in the trees, and watching smaller creatures and their behaviors.

Game drive: Venture into the pristine wilderness of the Ruaha in a 4*4 safari vehicle hosted by experts. The Park is hailed for its vast herds of buffalo, which roam the magnificent plains, as well as for its flourishing elephants, lions , leopards , crocodiles and hippo populations

Night game drive: A night drive gives you the opportunity to see Ruaha like never before with a chance of seeing nocturnal wildlife and predators when they are more active

Filming and Photographing: The Park makes the best place for professional filming and photographing

Baloon safari: Experience hot air baloon safaris and enjoy spectacular aerial game viewing and remarkable landscapes

Bush meal: Visitors can enjoy taking their meals at the middle of the bush after a short or long day game drive

Cultural and Historical sites: The Mkwawa Museum, Isimila Stone age site and natural pillar, Mapenza grave, Nyanywa, Ganga la Mafunyo and Idinda rock paintings will add unforgettable story tales on your visit

Accommodation facilities

In the Park, there are various available accommodations, ranging from private owned to TANAPA owned accommodations. TANAPA owns picnic sites, public campsites, special campsites, Cottages, Bandas, Rest house and Hostel