Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park, located in central to southern Tanzania. It is the largest national park cover an area of about 20226 square kilometer. The park is around 130km west of Iringa.  The park is named after Great Ruaha River which flows through it. The park is known for its rugged and remote wilderness, and is home to a wide variety of wildlife.

Ruaha has the largest concentration of elephants in East Africa, home to 10% of global lion populations. Ruaha is home to rare species, including wild dogs, cheetahs, and leopards.

Southern national parks are vast, untamed wilderness areas with extraordinary biodiversity and staggering landscapes. The exclusivity found here is unique among African safaris.  Although Ruaha is not Tanzania’s most visited national park, we believe that it is the perfect self-drive safari destination for any adventurer who wants to veer from the well-trodden path and experience the wild side of Tanzania.

Like most other national parks, the best time to visit Ruaha is during the long dry season from June to October. It is relatively cool during this period compared to the hot dry season from mid-December to mid-March. The dry season also provides great conditions for wildlife viewing because animals are drawn to the dwindling water sources and the grass is too short for them to hide.

For bird enthusiasts, the European winter months (December to April) are the best time to visit as migratory birds make their way down to Tanzania.  Ruaha is a birdwatcher’s paradise and 571 bird species have been sighted at the park. Ruaha also has beautiful landscapes which are dotted with acacias, baobabs, and over 1,650 plant species. The park is popular destination for self-drive trips and is often combined with visit to other nearby park such as Nyerere National Park, Mikumi and Udzungwa Mountains.