Ruaha National Park is the second-largest national park in Tanzania after the Nyerere national park. The park covers an area of about 20000 square kilometers. Ruaha is found in the middle of southern Tanzania about 130 kilometers from Iringa. The park has a broad ecosystem that includes Rungwa Game Reserve, Usangu Game Reserve, and several other protected areas. The name "Ruaha" is derived from the Great Ruaha River, which flows along its South-Eastern margin and is the focus for game-viewing. The park is famous for being one of the Tanzania birds’ paradise with more than 571species and some of them are known to be migrants from within and outside Africa.

Also, Ruaha is believed to have a high concentration of elephants than any National Park in East Africa. It is also home to magnificent mammal-like Kudu, Sable, and Roan antelopes. The park is also a habitat for endangered wild dogs. Other animals in the park include lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, elands, impalas, bat-eared foxes, and Jackals. Apart from large animals, the park also harbors a number of reptiles and amphibians such as crocodiles, poisonous and non-poisonous snakes, monitor lizards, agama lizards, and frogs.

Back in the day, the area was used as a trade route by the Arab caravan crossing here. In 1830 these coastal traders expanded their routes northward, and in the year 1857 to 1858 other European explorers such as Burton and Speke used these routes too. Chief Mkwawa used the same routes to visit his chiefdoms in Sangu and Gogo.

The park is also hailed as the land of the brave Chief Mkwawa, the Chief of the hehe people who resisted the German attack in the late 19th century.

The park's history goes back to 1910 when it was gazetted as Saba Game Reserve by Germany then the name was changed by the British to Rungwa Game reserve in 1946. It was then upgraded to a national park level in the year of 1964 just three years after Tanganyika got its independence.

• Abundance of wildlife

Ruaha national park is home to the most magnificent African mammals. It is famous for holding 10% of the world’s remaining lion population as well as the park with the greatest number of elephants in east Africa. Also, Ruaha hosts different bird species and makes it to be the best place for bird watching.

• Ruaha is where East and Southern Africa meet, resulting in a game park that has both regions’ species.

This makes Ruaha national park to be one of the amazing parks with both the northern and southern wildlife species.

• Landscaping

The main unique feature of the area is the Great Ruaha River, which attracts lots of animals during the Dry season. The dominant vegetation is miombo woodland and some areas are dotted with impressive huge baobab trees.

  Unrivalled Walking Safaris.

A guided walking safari in Ruaha is a truly friendly way to experience the beauty and magic of this magnificent park. You will be guided by an armed and experienced guide and they will help you to feel the real African experience. Encountering the game on foot gives you a fully awesome wilderness experience that is exciting and memorable.

• Birding in Ruaha.

Birding in Ruaha National Park is an extremely interesting and rewarding activity one can do when visiting the area. The park hosts more than 574 species of birds.

The remote areas are difficult to access particularly during the wet season; therefore, little ‘serious’ birding has been done in these seldom visited places. This makes it even more exciting as one can never be sure what one will see.

• Boat safaris.

Boat trips in Ruaha offer an amazing chance to get up close with animals such as hippos as well as view a lot of game along the river as they come over for a drink of water in hot weather conditions during a sunny day.

• Game drives

The largeness of the park means that there is a lot to explore and experience. A guided night game drive is a rare and valuable opportunity to encounter Africa’s elusive nocturnal animals (the impossible ones).

• Balloon safari.

Experience an African safari from the sky! One of the stunning activities to do in Ruaha national park is to enjoy Africa’s wilderness from the bird's eye.

• Visits to numerous historical and cultural sites in and around Ruaha national park.

Ruaha National Park is a typical dry-season park, with the best time to see larger mammals and predators being between mid-May and December. As water becomes scarce toward the end of the dry season, animals tend to gather around available water sources, offering supreme game-viewing opportunities.

During the wet season from January to April the bush becomes lush and green and many migratory birds arrive from the northern climes, making it a perfect bird-watching paradise.

By roads.

Ruaha national park is located 625 km from Dar es Salaam. Travel time depends on the traffic and state of the roads but is around 9 hours from Dar es Salaam.

By air.

Another option for getting to Ruaha national park is by air. Daily scheduled flights fly into the park's two airstrips (Msembe and Jongomero) from Arusha, Dodoma, Kigoma, and Dar es Salaam. We can help you book these flights.

Public campsites (recommended for budget).

These are the park's main campsites (with a cooking area and basic cleansings). The areas are in a lovely setting, directly on the river but with plenty of wildlife around.

The areas receive much protection from the armed park rangers. Also, the park ranger can be a good source of information about the park.

Lodges.

(mid to luxury).

Other accommodation options in Ruaha national park is lodges and tented campsites. There is a number of lodges found in the area ranging from mid to luxurious ones. Lodges can be found within the park or outside the park depending on one’s choice.