Ruaha National Park

Established in 1910 as a Game Reserve, Ruaha was gazetted a National Park in 1964. The park, covering an area of 20,226 square km, is the largest in Tanzania and second largest in Africa. Ruaha is located 125 km west of Iringa town.

How to get there

By road: 625 km from Dar es Salaam city, approximately 10 hrs drive, 125 km from Iringa, about 3hrs drive on rough road.
By Air: The Park is also reachable by scheduled and chartered flights from either Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Zanzibar, Dodoma or any other airport in Tanzania.

Best time to visit: May - October (dry season) and November-April (wet season)

Tourism activities:

Game drive – This activity is conducted from 0630 – 1830 HRS, no additional fee for this activity apart from conservation fee. Four wheel (4X4) drive vehicles are recommended.
Walking safari -Short walking safari: Designated routes are: Msembe to Ibuguziwa(4.8 km) 3hrs, Nyamakuyu to Ibuguziwa (3.6 km) 2.30 hrs, Kiganga kopjes to Mwagusi (5.4 km) 3.30hrs, R14 to Kimilamatonge peak (2.8 km) 2hrs and Mwagusi to near Sokwe (9.1 km) 4hrs.
Long walking safari: Designated route is Kichaka to Kidabaga (33.5 km) 6 to 8 days
Birding: The park is inhabited by more than 550 bird species such as Ashy starling, Yellow- collard Lovebird, Crested barbet, Violet-crested Turaco, Plovers, Kingfisher, African hawk and Bateleur eagle. It is also visited by Eurasian migrants including rare Eleanora’s Falcon and Sooty Falcon.

Camping:

Special campsites: There are two special campsites, Mbagi and Ifuguru. Booking through is mandatory.
Public campsites: Tembo, Kiboko and Simba campsites. Available facilities include bathroom, toilet, kitchen and dining.

Filming:

Filming fee: US $250 charged per person/day and covers conservation, camping and filming fees. This is applicable to all nationalities.

Night Game Drive: This is conducted at Mdonya, Mwangusi and Jongomero areas.Frequently seen animals are leopard, lion, genet, hippos and other nocturnal animals.

Picnicking: Eight picnic sites; Mbuni, Breakfast point, Ibuguziwa, Confluence, Mdonya kati, Mbuyu wa ngazi, Mbuyu wa tobo and Lulenga juu.

Major Tourist attractions

Large populations of greater and lesser kudu, roan and sable antelope
Great Ruaha River which is the lifeline of the park
High diversity of birds

Accommodation

Inside the park: Bandas, Luxury Tented Camps and several special and public campsites. Booking for bandas and special campsites, Bandas and Cottages
Outside the park: Several hotels, guest houses and camps in the nearby village of Tungamalenga

Destination Overview

Birdlife: Over 465 bird species have been sighted in the park, some of which are not found in northern.

Wildlife: This vast wilderness is rich in wildlife and contains a wild variety that includes greater and lesser Kudu, roan and Sable antelope, huge herds of elephant, over 8000 resident elephants remain the largest population of any national park in E. Africa. Sly Kudu's also there are Lion, Leopard, jackal, hyena, hippo, crocodiles and packs of wild dog-rare elsewhere.