Arusha National Park

The wild and unspoiled feel of Ruaha, situated in Tanzania’s southern safari circuit, distinguishes it from other reserves and makes it a favorite choice for frequent east African safari travelers.Ruaha National Park is the largest protected wildlife area in Tanzania and all of East Africa, covering more than 7,800 square kilometers. Ruaha National Park is part of the large 45,000 square kilometer Rungwa Kizigo and Muhesi ecosystem, which also includes the Mbomipia Wildlife Management Area, the Kizigo and Muhesi Game Reserves, and the Rungwa Game Reserve.The addition of the Usangu Game Reserve and other important wetlands to the park in 2008 increased its size to about 20,226 km2 (7,809 sq mi).

Ruaha National Park derives its name from the Great Ruaha River which flows along the southeastern margins and has been the main focus of game viewing in the Park. The Great Ruaha River serves as the lifeline of the Ruaha National Park with it providing the water that is required to sustain the large numbers of the wildlife in Ruaha National Park.

Ruaha’s terrain is gorgeous and diverse, with mountains in the south and west, a big savannah, and a river that draws a wide variety of wildlife. Wild dogs, cheetahs, and leopards are just a few of the rare species that call Ruaha home.Waterbuck, impala and gazelle come to the river to drink and predators are never far behind. You may spot lion or leopard prowling watchfully along the banks, or cheetah lying in wait on the plains, while skulking jackal and hyena are on the lookout for an opportunity to catch their next meal.Despite Ruaha National Park leading in the size and rich in wildlife, it appears as one of the least visited and none busy parks within the country. With its landscape comprising of steep escarpments and hills studded in baobabs, the Park is rather inaccessible, which is the main reason why there are fewer visitors in the area. A safari here provides a tremendous sense of remoteness and uniqueness.

In Ruaha National Park, predator sightings are incredibly guaranteed.  Ruaha National Park is home to a stunning 10% of Africa’s lion population, with the enormous prides that often have more than 20 individuals, according to the many studies that were conducted. Additionally, Ruaha National Park safeguards the third-largest population of the endangered African Wild dog, one of only four East African Cheetah populations with more than 200 adults. Leopards, spotted hyenas, jackals, and bat-eared foxes are among the other animals that are frequently spotted while on safaris to this remote but beautiful safari park.

The fact that Ruaha National Park is a home to large numbers of predator necessitates what to feed on and the Park has since offered a variety on which predators are to choose from. Ruaha National Park is a great home to grazer mammals. The safari park is home to numerous antelope species, such as the waterbuck, kudu, roan, and sable, are common in the park. Over 10,000 elephants can be observed roaming freely throughout the huge tracts of land in the park – Ruaha is one of the few African parks with high populations of elephants and the National park has the biggest elephant population in Tanzania. The Great Ruaha River, which serves as the park’s primary source of water, is home to a variety of aquatic life, including hippos and Nile crocodiles, and it is incredibly flourishing there.

In addition to the large number of wildlife that can be found in Ruaha National Park, the area is also home to a high number of birds, with over 570 of them having been spotted there. In general, Ruaha National Park’s rainy seasons are lucrative for bird viewing because these times of year see a considerable influx of migrating bird species from Europe, Asia, and North Africa.On your safari to Ruaha National Park, bird can be observed so easily even on your safari drive car you can still view birds. The exciting mix of species from both the southern and the East Africa live here. The exciting endemics like the yellow collared lovebird, the ashy starling, the Tanzanian red billed hornbill can be viewed in the park. The raptors occur in abundance, and the park is a specialist in vultures. Ruaha National Park is a home to about six species of vultures including the critically endangered hooded, white backed, white headed and the Ruppell’s vultures.

Big numbers of water birds, including large flocks of white and Abdim’s storks, are usually drawn to the Usangu Wetlands and the Great Ruaha River during wet seasons due to the rising water levels. The park also has a variety of raptors, such as sooty falcons, Eleonora’s falcons, Amuru falcons, and Eurasian hobby birds, which arrive during the time of year when the local birds begin to display their breeding plumage.

Best time to visit Ruaha National Park for Safaris – Guaranteed adventures in Tanzania’s Ruaha National Park

The Best time to visit Ruaha National park is usually during the dry season which is between June and September. However, for birders, the best time to visit Ruaha is during the long rains between February and April, when the migrant birds arrive. The wet season is a time when the park is at its lushest, with wildflowers peppering the rich, verdant grasslands. This is also an excellent time for landscape photographers to visit.

Visitors can anticipate seeing a golden savannah dotted with baobab trees and hazy hills stretching into the distance during the dry season. The grasslands turn a vibrant green from the yearly rains, and the baobab trees blossom.

Other frequently asked questions

Where is Ruaha National Park located?

Ruaha National Park is located in the southern part of Tanzania, it encompasses an area of 7,809 square miles (20,226 sq km) making it the largest national park in Tanzania and one of the largest in Africa.

How many lions are in Ruaha National Park?

A tenth of the lions in the world are found in the broader Ruaha area, which also has the second-largest remaining lion population after the Selous game reserve. Only six areas in the world still have lion populations with more than 1000 lions, and Ruaha is one of them.