Ruaha National Park
Rugged, remote and wonderfully wild. Ruaha’s baobab-studded hills and the Great Ruaha River hold big elephant herds, large lion prides, leopards, cheetahs and wild dogs, with very few other vehicles.
At a glance
- Size
- About 20,200 km²
- Getting there
- By road from Iringa, or a flight to the park’s airstrip
- Best for
- Predators, elephants, a remote safari
- Best time
- June to October
Why go
Ruaha is Tanzania’s second-largest national park and one of its least visited. In the dry season the Great Ruaha River draws elephants, buffalo, giraffe and antelope, including greater and lesser kudu and sable, and the predators follow. Over 570 bird species have been recorded. The landscape alone, with its baobabs, rocky hills and sand rivers, makes the journey worth it.
Highlights
- Big lion prides and good chances of leopard
- Elephants along the Great Ruaha River
- Greater and lesser kudu, sable and roan antelope
- Baobab-covered hills
- Very few other vehicles
The conservation story
Ruaha is part of one of the most important landscapes in East Africa for lions and African wild dogs. The Great Ruaha River, its lifeline, has been drying up for longer each dry season since the 1990s, as more water is taken upstream for farming. Visitors bring income that helps make the case for protecting both the park and the water that keeps it alive.
How your visit helps. The park and conservation fees in your trip price go to the authority that protects this place, paying for rangers, anti-poaching patrols and park upkeep. We hire local guides and staff and use locally owned suppliers wherever we can.
Trips that visit Ruaha
From US$5,043 per person
Private trip
From US$5,443 per person
Private trip
When to go
June to October is the classic time, when wildlife gathers along the river. The green season from January to March is good for birds and has some of the best light. Some camps close during the long rains.
Where to stay
Lodges and camps we work with here include Ruaha Hilltop Lodge, Ruaha River Lodge, Ikuka Safari Camp and Mabata Makali Luxury Lodge. We suggest the best fit for your budget and dates in your personal itinerary and quote.
Combine with: Udzungwa Mountains · Mikumi · Mpanga Kipengere
Ready to plan your visit to Ruaha?
Tell us your dates and how you like to travel, and we will send you a personal itinerary and quote. No obligation to book.
Our partners
Adventure That Gives Back
Private safaris, treks and beach holidays across Tanzania, planned by a Tanzanian team.
Forest Hill, Kihimbwa St, Morogoro, Tanzania
Talk to us
WhatsApp +255 622 191 154
ecolegacy@ecolegacy-africa.com
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Tourism licence No. 035908
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