Ruaha National Park, Tanzania: A Complete Safari Guide

Ruaha National Park lies approximately south of the central midway of Tanzania. Covering an area of 7,809 square miles (20,226 sq km), the national park is the largest national park in Tanzania and one of the largest in Africa.

Ruaha National Park is part of the wider Rungwa-Kizigo-Muhesi ecosystem, which encompasses an area of 17,000 square miles (45,000 sq km). Ruaha is in an area that contains two other game reserves and a wildlife management area. Safari game-viewers have three main zones to visit. The most magnificent spot is the Ruaha River with Mdonya woods and the Mbage-Mwagusi circuit.

The highest point in the park is Ngalambulwa Mountain, with a top of 5,250 feet (1,600 m). The massif is surrounded by grasslands and rocky area, adding to the diversity of the scenery.

Along the south-eastern edge of the park is the magnificent Ruaha River. The park is named for the river. This water spring is also a draw for safari animal viewing. A second river, the Njombe, cuts its way through gorges and rocky broken terrain in the park. Crocodiles are regularly spotted sunning on the banks of the rivers.

Here you will find the greatest concentration of elephants in Ruaha than anywhere else in Tanzania. Likewise, safari-goers are virtually guarantyd to spot Great Kudu due to their number.

The predators of the park are lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted hyena and wild dog. The park is among the Lion Conservation Units of Tanzania. Species found in the park include: giraffe, buffalo, hippopotamus, zebra, warthog and sable antelope.

Ruaha is also a bird lovers heaven with over 570 kinds of birds that can be found in the park. The park is a good spot for bird-watching and hornbills, raptors, bee-eaters, rollers and many other species can be seen. This is also the habitat of the uncommon Eleonora’s Falcon throughout the months of December and January.

In locations with good views over the water points commonly used by wildlife the park has hides and tree houses. These are inspiring chances to obtain beautiful views of the wildlife different from the typical car Safari.