Safari John Tours

Ruaha National Park

Ruaha-baobabs-zebras-Tanzania

Located in south-western Tanzania, Ruaha National Park became the largest national park in the country when the adjacent reserves were included, creating a total surface of over 20,000 km². Thanks to its varied wildlife and beautiful scenery, Ruaha is often cited by safari enthusiasts as the most beautiful reserve in the country offering the best experiences, despite the fact that the density of wildlife is lower than in the northern parks. This only excites safari lovers more, as the waiting and searching for animals is an integral part of the fun.

Composed of shrubby hills, semi-arid rocky bush, plains and sandy expanses, the park is traversed by the Ruaha River which flows year-round and is home to many hippos and crocodiles. Other rivers flow through the park as well, but they evaporate during the dry season leaving a few pools here and there where elephants like to dig deep holes in search of water. The park’s arid savannah is dotted with huge baobab trees, while more tropical vegetation can be found near the riverbanks.

With a wide variety of species such as sable and roan antelope, gazelle, eland, ostrich and giraffe to name just a few, Ruaha is known for its sizable population of lions and other felines, as well as the presence of several rare species such as the wild dog and greater kudu. The park is also characterized by its impressive herds of buffalo that migrate throughout the year and for its 574 bird species, the largest number of birds in the whole of Tanzania.

Walking safaris can be arranged in Ruaha, as well as numerous hikes in the Udzungwa Mountains to the east of the park.

To get the most out of this national park, a three-day safari is recommended.

Best time to visit Ruaha National Park

The dry season, from June to October, is the ideal time for a safari in Ruaha Park as many animals gather around the few waterholes.

The light rains in November and December turn the landscape green, also providing for good safari conditions.

The hot and humid months of January through March should be avoided as the animals are more dispersed and the heavy rains make many of the trails impassable.

Top highlights

  • Remote location and only accessible by airplane – enjoy exceptional wildlife viewing without the crowds.
  • One of the best destinations to see African wild dogs.
  • Home to unusual antelope species.
  • Some of the largest herds of elephants in east Africa.
  • Go fly camping and sleep under the stars.