Ruaha National park

Ruaha National Park is a national park in Tanzania about 130 kilometers west of Iringa covering an area of about 20,226 square kilometers. The park got all this size after the addition of the Usangu Game reserve and other wetlands in 2008 to it. Ruaha National park is part of the 45,000 square kilometers Rungwa, Kizigo and Muhesi ecosystem which consist of the Rungwa game reserve, the Kizigo and Muhesi game reserves and also the Mbomipa wildlife Management Area.

Ruaha National park derived its name from the Great Ruaha River which flows along its southeastern margin and it is the best focus for game-viewing. The park is a home to more than 571 bird species like hornbills and other wildlife like the cheetah, African leopard, lion, giraffe, hippos and others.

How to reach to Ruaha National park

Ruaha National park is difficult to access since its location is remote. You can reach the park via the car or plane.

By road: Ruaha national park is about 625 km from Dar es Salaam and the road journey takes about 9 hours of drive. One can also drive from Iringa which is 130 km away from the park. While using road transport, you will have an adventurous journey since you will insight and enjoy the impressing landscapes, have an optional stopover in Morogoro or Iringa and also enjoy the traditional village life of the Tanzanians.

By plane: While using air transport, the journey is very short. Different flights from Dar es Salaam, Serengeti, Arusha, Dodoma, and Kigoma to the local airstrips like Msembe and Jongomero are always there.

Safari activities in Ruaha National park

Game viewing: Ruaha National park is a home to a number of wildlife including the largest concentration of elephants with a population of about 10000. Also the park hosts about 10% of the global lion populations. Among the other wildlife seen in the park include cheetahs, giraffes, hippos, sable antelopes, warthogs, zebras and others.

Bird watching: Ruaha National park is a bird lover’s paradise hosting over 570 bird species. The park is also a home to the rare Eleonora’s falcon which comes in the months of December and January. Others species include raptors, bee-eaters, rollers, hornbills and others.

Walking safaris: All the walking safaris and hikes done in the park should be guided since the park is a home to a number of predators like lions, leopards and others. Give more attention to the surrounding where you are conducting your safari from.

Safari attractions in Ruaha National park

The great Ruaha River: The River is the main attraction in the park due to the fact that its name is the same as that of the national park and it travels along the southeastern border of the park. Ruaha River serves as draw for game viewing since it is a habitat to a number of animals like crocodiles that can be seen on its banks. Also, the river draws much other wildlife especially during the dry season. These animals gather at the river banks to quench their thirst. Among them include elephants, buffalos, impalas, giraffes and others.

Wildlife: Besides having the largest collection of elephants which is about 1000, Ruaha National park is a home to a number of wild animals. Among the animals at the park are; buffalos, giraffes, hartebeest, impalas and others. The park also habitats predators like lions and leopards, cheetahs, wild dog and hyena.

Bird species: Ruaha National Park is a home to over 570 species of birds including the migratory ones like the rare Eleonora’s falcon that are always available in the months of December and January. Other residential birds include bee-eaters, rollers, hornbills, raptors and others.

Ngalambulwa Mountain: This is the tallest point in the park with a summit of 5,250 feet. It is surrounded by the grasslands and rocky terrain which add a massive insight to the beautiful landscapes in the park.