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Ruaha National Park

Welcome to Ruaha National Park Tanzania

Ruaha National Park is situated in southern Tanzania and features among the very few most spectacular and untapped National Parks in East Africa. Its area coverage is more than the small European states such as Cyprus, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Malta and others and features distinct terrains ranging from mountains to swamps and from forests to sand Rivers.Elephants in Ruaha National Park

This park is situated within convergence zone of lush highland Riverine forest with ferns and orchids and dry, arid valley floor with palms, baobabs and Miombo woodlands, over 64 species of mammals including 17 antelope species including roan antelope, six distinct mongoose, crocodiles, warthogs, baboons, zebras, dik-dik, giraffes, hippos, elephants, buffaloes, birds that makeup about 570 distinct bird species (kingfishers, night herons, stilts, storks, goliath, fish eagle, glossy ibis, hadada, scops and pearl spotted owls, martial eagles, weavers, blue waxbills, fire finches, pale billed, van der decken’s), 6 cat genera including lions, cheetahs, leopards, African wild cat, caracals and many more.

Ruaha National Park covers an area of about 20000 square kilometres and besides wild animals, the park also offers refuge to more than 1650 plant species.  Ruaha National Park is undeniably the second largest National Park in Tanzania and interestingly one of the most exceptional wilderness areas that you think of when it comes to African safaris.

Most of its tour activities are centred on the Great Ruaha River that during the dry season becomes very low with the remaining rock pools swarming with huge crocodiles and hippos. It is surrounded by the rapids of Great Ruaha and Mzombe, the only area around the Great Ruaha River that has been developed and its remote location few tourist visit it making it one of the best areas for you to have authentic experiences. The famous safari activity for you to engage in this park includes wildlife viewing/game drive.

How to get to Ruaha National Park?

Tanzania safaris in Ruaha National Park normally begin from Dar-es-salaam and point of entry to Tanzania is usually through Julius Nyerere International Airport where a tour agent can easily pick you and after drive you up to the national park or you take a domestic flight. From Dar-es-salaam, you will spend about 10 hours’ drive but you will have a stopover at Mikumi National Park. From Mikumi National Park to Ruaha National Park it is approximately 320 kilometres and you take about 5 hours’ drive.Lions along River Ruaha

You can also take a scheduled flight up to the park’s airstrip. Usually, flights start from Dar-es-salaam unless you intend to visit the park as part of a southern circuit tour and for this case, flight start at the airstrips in Selous or Mikumi. Flights also start from Arusha town which is base for the northern safari circuit. There is also coastal aviation which provides flights between Serengeti National Park and Ruaha National Park.

When to visit Ruaha National Park?

Ruaha National Park can be visited at any time of the year but receives the highest number of tourists during the dry season that starts from June to October. The wet season is experienced from November to May and from April to May, mostly bird watchers are attracted. Ruaha National Park can be best explored from June to November.

Accommodation in Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park features several safari accommodations that visitors can choose to spend a night while on a guided or self-drive safari in Tanzania. They are found both inside and outside the park. They are safaris, tented camps that range from luxury to budget.

Mwagusi camp Ruaha

Mwagusi camp – Ruaha National Park Tanzania

The most popular ones include the Jongomero camp, a luxury facility which is situated in the southern wilderness. Mwagusi Camp is one of the stunning campsites that feature about 13 tented chalets each of which is independently designed to merge with the landscape of the Mwagusi Sand River.

If you are looking for where to stay during wet/low season especially for birders, then look no further than Mwagusi camp. Mdonya Old River Camp provides ample authentic tour base with 12 Meru styled canvas tents in an acacia wood along the sand River.

Sand River is popular as the wildlife corridor for most migratory wildlife. Ruaha River Lodge features as the only lodge inside the park and it has 28 most comfortable and airy Bandas that are well furnished. Others include Kigelia camp, Kwihala camp-mid range in the northern side of the park, Ruaha flycatcher camp, Ruaha hilltop lodge, Ruaha Tandala camp and Sunset Mountain Lodge.

In conclusion, Ruaha National Park is exceptionally one of Tanzania’s most stunning destinations that you shouldn’t miss to pay a visit while on safari in Africa. There is a lot more than awaits for you to catch a glimpse at.