Size
20,226 km2 (7,809 mi2)
Founded
1964 (National Park) | 2008 (Expanded)
Best time to visit
June to November
Discover Ruaha National Park, where classic safari experiences await in serene isolation, far from the bustling crowds of Tanzania’s northern circuit. Known for its impressive predator population, thriving elephant herds, and diverse landscapes, Ruaha offers unparalleled walking safaris and unforgettable hot air balloon rides. Venture south for a safari like no other!
The magic of Ruaha lies in its sheer scale and wildlife diversity, spread across a vast and varied terrain. Wildlife encounters are exceptional, yet the park remains blissfully uncrowded due to its remote southern location and limited accommodations. Far removed from Serengeti and Ngorongoro, few travelers reach this hidden gem, ensuring a truly exclusive safari adventure.
Experience exceptional wildlife sightings amidst stunning landscapes, all while enjoying the tranquility of minimal tourist traffic for a truly exclusive safari experience.
Ruaha’s remote beauty attracts many repeat visitors and avid safari enthusiasts who have explored Tanzania before and seek a more intimate adventure.
If you’re eager to discover Ruaha without skipping the iconic Serengeti and Ngorongoro, consider flying directly to one of the park’s bush airstrips, ensuring a seamless journey to this extraordinary destination.
Ruaha National Park showcases a remarkable variety of vegetation, transitioning from flat, treeless savannahs to lush Miombo woodlands, arid bushlands, swamps, and riverine forests. Home to nearly 1,650 different plant species, it forms a unique botanical paradise.
The park derives its name from the majestic Ruaha River, which meanders for 160 kilometers through its heart, serving as the park’s most significant feature. This river not only sustains wildlife but also enhances the park’s diverse scenery, which ranges from expansive plains to rolling hills, intricate river systems, wetlands, kopjes, and towering mountains.
Ruaha serves as a transitional zone where eastern and southern flora and fauna converge, while the Great Rift Valley slices through the landscape, with escarpments rising between 50 and 100 meters. Scattered natural springs throughout the park add to its ecological richness.
During the dry season, the Ruaha River shrinks to a handful of vital waterholes, creating a crucial resource for thirsty wildlife. Predators lie in wait, strategically positioned, knowing that herds of impalas, gazelles, and other antelopes will come to drink. The riverine vegetation provides excellent cover for lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, and hyenas, making it the prime hunting ground within the park.
Ruaha National Park is renowned for boasting one of the highest concentrations of African elephants in East Africa, with impressive herds of up to 200 often seen congregating beneath the sprawling baobab trees. The park also hosts both species of kudu—the greater and lesser—as well as the stunning sable and roan antelopes, which are frequently spotted roaming the landscape.
Birdwatchers will find themselves in paradise, as Ruaha is home to approximately 529 bird species. Notable avian residents include the endemic Ruaha red-billed hornbill, along with colorful kingfishers, vibrant sunbirds, charming black-collared lovebirds, ashy starlings, ground hornbills, bateleurs, and majestic fish eagles, among many others. This diverse birdlife makes the park a haven for ornithologists and nature enthusiasts alike.
Day-time game drives are the main activity in the park and exciting enough if you ask us. However, if you’d like to change your perspective or add a highlight to your trip, you have the option to book a walking safari or a hot air balloon ride – truly special experiences.
Ruaha is famous for its high number of predators: lions, leopards, hyenas, African hunting dogs & more.
Across Ruaha, you will find species of both the northern as well as southern hemisphere.
Far from any major city and even further from the popular northern circuit, Ruaha is very remote.
Like many safari destinations, the optimal time to visit Ruaha National Park is during the dry season, which spans from late June to November. During this period, the mighty Ruaha River becomes one of the few remaining water sources for wildlife, making it a prime spot for exceptional animal sightings. The weather is pleasantly warm and sunny, while the dry roads enhance navigation throughout the park.
In contrast, the rainy season begins earlier than in the northern circuit, often starting as early as mid-December and lasting until March. This time of year is particularly appealing for birdwatchers, as numerous migratory species flock to the area. However, it’s important to note that some accommodations in Ruaha may temporarily close during the low season, so careful planning is essential to ensure a smooth and enjoyable visit.
June to November
Best for wildlife sightings at the Ruaha River.
December to May
Great for birding, but dense vegetation can make sightings difficult.
It takes about four hours to drive from Iringa, a town of about 1 million people, to Ruaha National Park. And more than twice as long from the coastal city of Dar es Salaam. While it’s not exactly easy to reach, this is what makes Ruaha National Park special. It has all the ingredients for a perfect, classic safari: excellent wildlife, varied landscapes, personal accommodations. But less the number of vehicles and tourists you may find in the popular northern parks close to Arusha. If you’re a photographer or simply a passionate safari lover looking for an authentic experience, we recommend considering a trip to Ruaha.
The main activity in Ruaha National Park are classic day-time game drives. Since there are very few tourist vehicles, it’s an ideal destination for photographers enjoying undisturbed views. On a walking safari, you will take a stroll amongst the mighty baobab trees accompanied by an experienced guide. On hot air balloon safaris, you glide across magical morning landscapes as the sun begins to rise – a special experience!
The diversity of wildlife in Ruaha is astonishing, making it very popular with repeat safari goers. It is one of the few places where you can see wildlife and plantlife of both the Southern as well as the Northern hemisphere. However, Ruaha is probably best known for its big lion prides and big herds of elephants – two icons of the African bush. Additionally, roan and sable antelope, spotted and striped hyena and more than 530 species of birds call Ruaha home.
Ruaha National Park is located in central southern Tanzania. The closest town of about 1 million people is Iringa, 130km from the national park. Southern Tanzania is very remote and less frequently visited than the better-known parks in the northern region of the country. Therefore, the easiest way to get to Ruaha is to fly in. You can choose between chartered and scheduled flights departing from Dar es Salaam. Alternatively, a ten-hour drive – plus a stopover in between – will get you there.
