Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park is one of Tanzania's most impressive wilderness destinations and one of the defining parks of the Southern Safari Circuit. Covering approximately 20,226 square kilometres in south-central Tanzania, Ruaha is Tanzania's second-largest national park and protects an enormous landscape of baobab-studded savanna, miombo woodland, rocky kopjes, seasonal sand rivers and riverine habitats. The Great Ruaha River is the ecological heart of the park. Permanent pools, river channels and sand-river seeps become especially important during the dry season, drawing elephants, buffalo, antelopes, predators and prolific birdlife toward the river system. Ruaha is particularly famous for predators. Large lion prides are a defining feature of the park, while leopards, cheetahs, spotted hyenas and African wild dogs also occur across the wider landscape. The park is equally important for herbivores. Large elephant and buffalo gatherings are common in the dry season, while giraffes, zebras, impala, waterbuck and other plains animals share the landscape with some of Tanzania's more unusual antelope species. Greater kudu is one of Ruaha's signature animals, while sable, roan and lesser kudu add a strong southern African influence to the park's wildlife. This mix reflects Ruaha's position where eastern and southern African fauna overlap. Birdlife is exceptional. TANAPA records more than 570 species, supported by the park's diverse grasslands, woodland, riverine habitats, rocky areas and seasonal wetlands. Ruaha's scenery is equally memorable. Giant baobabs rise above golden plains, granite kopjes create natural viewpoints and the river system forms a lifeline through an otherwise dry wilderness. Because Ruaha is more remote than many northern safari parks, the overall experience can feel quieter and more expansive. Game drives often cover large areas, and wildlife encounters can take place with fewer vehicles nearby. In addition to game drives, Ruaha offers guided walking safaris in designated zones, birdwatching, photography and other authorized wilderness activities. With TanzaLux Safaris, Ruaha can be experienced as a private fly-in safari or as part of a longer Southern Tanzania journey combined with Mikumi, Udzungwa Mountains and Nyerere National Park.

• Great Ruaha River
• Large lion prides
• Elephant herds
• Large buffalo concentrations
• African wild dogs
• Leopards and cheetahs
• Greater kudu
• Sable antelope
• Roan antelope
• Lesser kudu
• Ancient baobab landscapes
• Miombo woodland
• Rocky kopjes and viewpoints
• Mwagusi River
• Mdonya River
• Jongomero River
• 570+ recorded bird species
• Raptors and migratory birds
• Guided walking safaris
• Wildlife photography
• Remote wilderness atmosphere
• Low-traffic safari experience
• Southern Tanzania Safari Circuit

When to go