SAFARI
Ruaha National Park
About Ruaha National Park
Tanzania’s largest national park, a rugged wilderness of baobabs and river sand where lion prides and some of East Africa’s largest elephant herds gather along the Great Ruaha River.
Ruaha sits at the meeting point of East and Southern African wildlife, so kudu and sable antelope share the plains with more familiar northern-circuit species. It is remote and lightly visited, with a real sense of wilderness that the northern parks have lost to their own popularity.
Highlights
Large lion prides on the Ruaha River
Ancient baobabs across the escarpment
Greater and lesser kudu
Some of Tanzania’s least crowded game drives
Wildlife & landscape
LionElephantGreater kuduSable antelopeCheetahAfrican wild dogBaobab-nesting hornbills
Season by season
Jun – Oct
Dry season; animals concentrate along the river, the best game viewing.
Nov – May
Green season, quiet and excellent birding, some camps close April–May.
Practical notes
- •Usually flown in from Dar es Salaam or combined with Nyerere on a southern-circuit trip.
- •A genuine wilderness park — expect long, rewarding drives with few other vehicles.
- •Best paired with 3+ nights given the flight time to get there.