Ruaha National Park

Location:  West of Iringa town, South Central Tanzania

Park Name: Ruaha National Park

Area: 20,226 km²

Park Introduction: Ruaha National Park built a reputation as Tanzania’s best-kept game viewing secret despite the size of the park and the handful of camps found here. Ruaha’s wild is completely free and the unrestricted feel sets it apart from other reserves, making it a popular choice for regular East African safarigoers. 

The park is located at an elevation of 2,500 to 5,200 feet (750 to 1,900 m) and covers an area of more than 20,000km² (7,809 sq. mi) and was originally part of the Rungwa Game Reserve. 

In 2008 the Usangu Game Reserve and other important wetlands merged their borders with Ruaha transforming it into Tanzania’s largest National Park about 130 km west of Iringa and part of the 45,000 sq. km Rungwa-Kizigo-Muhesi ecosystem, the Kizigo, and Muhesi Game Reserves, and the Mbomipa Wildlife Management Area.

Named after the Great Ruaha River, which flows along its southeastern margin and is the focus for game-viewing. Accessible by road through a dirty toad from Iringa and two airstrips Msembe airstrip at Msembe (HQ) and Jongomero Airstrip near the Jongomero Ranger Post. The largest number of elephants is located in Ruaha compared to anywhere else in the Country as is the Great Kudu.

The predators in the park include lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted hyena, and wild dog, some of the popular species around Mdonya woodlands include Hartebeest, Sable, and Roan Antelope. Whilst the riverbeds host herds of Elephants, giraffes, Buffalo, Kudus, and Impalas. The Mbage-Mwagusi circuit provides a chance of seeing elephants.

The dry seasons shrink the river, drawing wildlife in for drinking, an excellent game viewing area. This park serves as one of Tanzania’s Lion Conservation Units. Ruaha is a bird lovers’ paradise with over 570 species of birds found within the park including Hornbills, Raptors, Bee-eaters, and Rollers to mention a few, and home to the rare Eleonora’s Falcon during the months of December and January.

The Uniqueness of this Park:  

The greatest concentration of elephants in Tanzania,

The abundance of Greater Kudu.

Game-viewing with the abundance and variety of wildlife.

The largest number of elephants is located in Ruaha.

Tanzania’s largest National Park.

Accommodation Options: 

Jongomero Camp (8 rooms), Jabali Ridge (8 rooms), Jabali Private (3 rooms), Ikuka Camp (7 rooms), Kwihala Camp (6 rooms), and Kiselia Rusha (1 room).

Activities: Bird watching, Guided Nature Walks, Day & Night Game viewing drives