Undisturbed wildlife and rugged scenery
Covering nearly 13,000 km², the Ruaha National Park is renowned for its undisturbed wildlife and stunning, rugged scenery.
The Park is named after the Great Ruaha River, which flows through the reserve, and which is home to hippos, crocodiles, turtles and fish. During the dry season months (mid-May to December), the river banks are crowded with large herds of elephants, buffalo and gazelle, zebra and giraffe.
There is also a good chance of seeing lion and leopard, as well as wild dog, cheetah and hyena. It is estimated that the Park supports 10% of all remaining lions.
The Park is also famous for its kudu, sable and roan antelope population, and its incredibly rich and varied birdlife (over 400 species have been recorded here).
The wet season (January to April) is the best time for bird-watching, when species such as the crested barbet, yellow-collared lovebird and ashy starling can be spotted.
Scenery-wise, most of the Park is situated on the top of a plateau, with rolling hills, valleys and grassy plains. Small mountain ranges run along the south-west borders, adding another element to the topography.
A Safari in the Ruaha National Park
There is a good selection of private lodges and camps in the Park, and the majority of guests will fly into their safari lodge, because of the rather remote location of the Park. Game viewing is done by vehicle or safari boat trips along the Great Ruaha River.
A safari in the Ruaha National Park is a unique and rewarding experience, and although you can decide to spend your entire time on safari here, many people also choose to combine a safari here with a safari in the Selous Game Reserve, as the 2 safari destinations compliment each other nicely.