Ruaha National Park is one of the unspoiled National Parks in Tanzania – situated in the southern safari circuit. The uniqueness of this beautiful park distinguishes it from other parks and makes it a favorite choice for African safaris. Ruaha National Park is the largest protected wildlife area in Tanzania and all of East Africa, covering more than 7,800 square kilometers.
The National Park derives its name from the Ruaha River which flows through the park offering water to the abundant wildlife in the park – a top spot for game viewing in the Park. Ruaha River serves as the lifeline of the Ruaha National Park, since it is the main source water required to sustain the large numbers of the wildlife in Park.
The National Park has some of the most beautiful landscapes, mountains in the south and west, a vast savannah, and a river that draws a wide variety of wildlife. Wild dogs, cheetahs, and leopards are just a few of the rare species that can be spotted in Ruaha National Park.
Highlights
Despite the National Park being large in size and rich in wildlife, it is one of the least visited and less busy parks in Tanzania. The vast landscape of Ruaha comprise of steep escarpments and studded hills, the giant baobabs, all make this park inaccessible – the main reason why there are fewer visitors in the park.
The others include Waterbucks, impala and gazelle that usually come to the river to drink and predators are never far behind in watch. There is a great chance to spot lion or leopard prowling watchfully along the banks, or cheetah lying in wait on the plains, while skulking jackal and hyena are on the lookout for an opportunity to catch their next meal.
Best time to visit Ruaha National Park for Safaris
The Best time to visit Ruaha National park and all other Tanzania National Parks is usually during the dry season which is between June and September. For bird lovers, the best time to visit Ruaha is during the long rains between February and April, when the migrant birds arrive.
Visitors can expect to witness the golden savannah dotted with baobab trees and hazy hills stretching into the distance during the dry season. The grasslands turn a vibrant green from the yearly rains, and the baobab trees blossom.
There is guaranteed sightings of large predator in Ruaha National Park – a stunning 10% of Africa’s lion population lives here in large prides that often have more than 20 individuals. Additionally, Ruaha National Park protects the third-largest population of the endangered African Wild dog, and also one of the only four East African parks with much Cheetah populations with more than 200 adults. The other commonly spotted include Leopards, spotted hyenas, jackals, and bat-eared foxes are among the other.
Ruaha National Park is home to grazer mammals with over 10,000 elephants living here. Ruaha is one of the few African parks with high populations of elephants and the National park has the biggest elephant population in Tanzania. The safari park is home to numerous antelope species, such as the waterbuck, kudu, roan, and sable. The Ruaha River, which serves as the park’s primary source of water, is home to a variety of aquatic life, including hippos and Nile crocodiles, and fish among others.
Ruaha National Park is also a great bird watching destination with over 570 bird species registered in the park. The Park’s rainy seasons are the best for bird watching because these times of year see a considerable influx of migrating bird species from Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The mix of species from both the southern and the East Africa can be experienced in Ruaha. The endemics like the yellow collared lovebird, the ashy starling, the Tanzanian red billed hornbill can be spotted in the park.
There is a great number of raptors in the park such as sooty falcons, Eleonora’s falcons, Amuru falcons, and Eurasian hobby birds, among others. You will also grab opportunities to spot several vultures. Ruaha National Park is a home to about six species of vultures including the critically endangered hooded, white backed, white headed and the Ruppell’s vultures.
There is also a big numbers of water birds in the park and the commonly spotted include the white and Abdim’s storks – they usually dwell in the Usangu Wetlands and the areas of Ruaha River during wet seasons.
How do i get there ?
By Road
By Flight