Ruaha National Park is a hidden gem in Tanzania, perfect for those who love quiet, crowd-free safaris. It’s a huge park where the forests of Southern Africa meet the grasslands of East Africa, creating a beautiful home for wildlife.The Great Ruaha River, which the park is named after, supports large groups of elephants, making this the place to see the largest herds in East Africa. You’ll also find plenty of lions, leopards, cheetahs, endangered wild dogs, and hyenas here.
- Experience unparalleled privacy in a park visited by only 1% of Tanzania’s tourists.
- Witness the largest elephant herds in East Africa roam freely across Ruaha’s vast landscapes.
- Enjoy diverse animal sightings including all big cats and rare predators like the wild dog.
- Stay in exquisite riverside lodges offering top-tier hospitality and scenic views.
Ruaha National Park serves as a serene escape into the wild, where visitors can connect deeply with nature in Tanzania’s expansive and undisturbed wilderness.
Best Time To Visit
A serene sanctuary where majestic elephants and vibrant birdlife abound in Tanzania’s expansive wilderness.
The Best time to visit Ruaha National Park is between June and October. During these dry months, you can easily spot wildlife because animals like to hang around the Great Ruaha River and other water spots as the land dries up. The weather is nice and sunny, making it great for going on safaris.
However, if you visit from November to April, you’ll see the park turn beautifully green and full of birds, but finding animals might be a bit harder because of the thick bushes and some muddy roads.
Wildlife
Ruaha National Park is a wildlife sanctuary, celebrated for its vast elephant herds. Here, you can see large groups of lions, sometimes with more than 20 lions in a pride, that even hunt buffalo. The park is one of the best places to spot wild dogs, which are often hard to find elsewhere.
Ruaha also hosts the largest number of greater kudu in East Africa and other unique antelopes like lesser kudu, roan, and sable antelope. This park is a perfect spot for anyone eager to see a wide range of animals in their natural habitat.
Ruaha National Park was established in 1964. Over the years, it expanded to include nearby lands and important wetland areas, making it one of Tanzania’s largest national parks.
Ruaha is renowned for superb wildlife sightings combined with few visitors, offering an exclusive safari experience. It is home to the largest population of elephants in East Africa, with about 10,000 elephants. The park has numerous lion prides with an average of about 30 lions per pride, known for hunting large prey like buffaloes and giraffes.
The park covers an area of 20,226 square kilometres, making it the second largest in Tanzania and part of the larger Rungwa-Kizigo-Muhesi ecosystem.
Ruaha offers various camping options, from basic public campsites to luxurious glamping with all amenities provided by private operators within the park.
The park provides a spectacular and serene wildlife viewing experience, featuring the highest elephant density in East Africa and significant numbers of lions, alongside abundant hippos and crocodiles along the Great Ruaha River.
Elephants
Discover one of the largest elephant populations, with over 10,000 majestic elephants.
Predators
Experience close encounters with numerous lion pride and elusive cheetahs.
Birdlife
A birdwatcher's dream with over 500 species in vibrant, diverse habitats.
Seclusion
Enjoy wildlife without the crowds, perfect for peaceful, immersive safaris.
Vastness
Its Tanzania's largest park, offering expansive landscapes and dramatic vistas.
Scenery
Capture the park's stunning landscapes, a backdrop for spectacular game viewing.
