Ruaha National Park is one of the largest national parks in Tanzania covering about 20,226 square kilometers covering a huge variety of landscapes from the Great Ruaha River, the rolling hills, rocky escarpments and vast open plains dotted with the iconic African Baobab trees.
Ruaha is a more remote Tanzania safari destination located to the west of the Selous Game Reserve and south of Serengeti national park, the park located in South-central Tanzania about 130 kilometers from Kizigo – Muhesi ecosystem which includes the Rungwa Game Reserve, Kizigo and Muhesi Game Reserves, and the Mbomipa Wildlife Management Area. From Julius Nyerere National Park, it isa drive of about 445 kilometers.
The park’s name comes from the Great Ruaha River which flows along its South – Eastern margin, the park is characterized by a semi – arid type of vegetation, baobab trees and acacia. Over 1,650 plant species have been identified in the park.
History of Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park was first gazette as Saba Game Reserve in 1910 by Germany colonialists, later in 1974 the British changed the name to the Rungwa Game Reserve, in 1964, the southern portion of the game reserve was gazette as Ruaha National Park and in 1974 a small section of the South – Eastern part of the Great Ruaha River was incorporated into the park.
Wildlife in Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National-Park hosts exciting concentrations of predators and is home to 10% of the world’s lion population, on a game drive it is possible to find prides of more than 20 lions in the park. Ruaha National Park is also home to one of the four cheetah populations in East Africa and has the third largest wild dog population in the world. There are also high densities of elephants which normally gather around the dry riverbed to dig for water with their trunks and front feet.
Animals in include sable antelopes, Roan antelopes, Hartebeests, lions, leopards, wild dogs, cheetah, giraffes, zebras, elands, impala, bat-eared foxes, Jackals, Lichtenstein’s Hartebeests, Topi, both Southern and Bohor reedbucks, Grant’s Gazelles, klipspringers among others.
The Park is also home to a number of reptiles and amphibians like poisonous and non – poisonous snakes, monitor lizards, crocodiles, agama lizards and frogs.
Birdlife in Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park is a great birding destination with more than 574 bird species, the park is recognized by Birdlife International as one of the Important bird areas (IBA) in Tanzania.
Birds found in Ruaha Park include The common Tanzanian red-billed hornbill, common Bateleur, Giant kingfisher, Collared palm-thrush, White-browed coucal, Spur-winged goose, African fish eagle, Ashy starling – endemic to Tanzania, Black-bellied bustard, Collared palm-thrush, Crested barbet, Eleonora’s falcon, Emerald-spotted wood dove, Goliath heron, Long-crested eagle, Namaqua dove, Southern ground hornbill, Tanzanian red-billed hornbill – endemic to Tanzania, White-bellied go-away bird, Yellow-collared lovebird – near endemic to Tanzania among others
There are migrant birds from Europe, Asi, Australia and Madagascar arriving in the park during the rainy season between February and April.
Safari Activities to Do in Ruaha National Park
Walking Safaris
Ruaha national park is one the few Tanzania wildlife safari destinations where walking safaris are possible, this amazing experience offering a possibility of viewing nature from a different dimension.
Walking safaris are done with an experienced and skilled guide or ranger who is knowledgeable about the park’s ecosystem including animals, birds and plants. The walking safaris are offered as short walks lasting between 1-4 hours and long walks lasting for about 5 hours to several days. Long walks that last for several days are normally accompanied by overnight fly camping en route.
Walking safaris offer great photographic opportunities and close-up encounter with animals, the best time to do walking safari is in late June.
Game Viewing
Ruaha National Park is a great destination to do Tanzania wildlife safaris and tours, the park is home to 10% of the global population of lions, cheetahs and other predators which are easily sighted during game drives.
Game drives in Ruaha are done as morning, afternoon and night game drives. From the comfort of your safari vehicle with a pop – up roof you will see many animals including sable antelopes, Roan antelopes, Hartebeests, ions, leopards, wild dogs, cheetah, giraffes, zebras, elands, impala, bat-eared foxes, Jackals, Lichtenstein’s Hartebeests, Topi, both Southern and Bohor reedbucks, Grant’s Gazelles, klipspringers among others.
Night Game Drives in Ruaha Park is the best way to see and experience the nocturnal animals including the elusive leopard, genet, civet, porcupine and giant eagle owl. The big acts in Ruaha tend to be active at night and you will see lions hunting.
Bird watching
Ruaha National Park is one of the best destinations in the country to visit for Tanzania Birding Trips, the park is home to over 574 bird species including a very healthy population of raptors including black eagles.
Some of the birds spotted in Ruaha National Park include Bare-faced Go-away bird and the White-bellied Go-away bird. Others include Bare-eyed thrush, Yellow-collared lovebirds Speckle-fronted wavers, Ashy starlings, superb starlings D’arnauds Barbet, White-headed buffalo weaver Blue-capped cordon-bleu, Racket-tailed roller, Spotted Creeper, Miombo grey tit, Yellow-bellied hyliota, Miombo scrub robin, Thick-billed Cuckoo, Schalow’s turaco and Spot-flanked Barbet and Ruaha red-billed Hornbill among others.
Where to stay
Some of the finest accommodation options in Ruaha range from luxury lodges, midrange and budget lodges.
Luxury lodges
- Jabali Ridge Lodge
- Ikuka Safari Camp
- Mwagusi Safari Camp
- Tandala Camp
Midrange lodges
- Ruaha Hilltop Lodge
- Jongomero Tented Camp
- Grand Ruaha Tented Lodge
- Mdonya Old River Camp
Budget lodges
- Ruaha Hilltop Lodge
- Tourist Cottages
- Rest House
- Tourist Old Bandas
How to Get to Ruaha National Park
Road and air means of transport are the only ways to reach the Park for a Tanzania wildlife safari experience.
By road – Safaris to Ruaha usually start from Dar es Salaam which is approximately 448 kilometers from the park, the point of entry in Tanzania will be Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR).
From Dar es Salaam to Ruaha takes about 9 hours on a dusty and bump road. There is an option of making a stopover at Mikumi National Park, from Mikumi National Park it is about 320 kilometers and the drive takes about 5 hours.
By Air – There are daily flights from Dar es Salaam and Arusha, this is the easiest and most convenient way to get Ruaha National Park. The reserve is served by several airstrips that is Msembe and Jongomero and they are operated by Coast Aviation, Auric Air and Safari Link all offering scheduled flights to Ruaha.
