Abundance atmosphere and adventure in a pristine safari area

Ruaha National Park consists of an undulating plateau with rock formations and baobab trees, around the large Ruaha River.

Away from the masses, between the elephants in the largest and most remote park in Tanzania.

  • Surface 20.226 km2
  • Inhabitants 11.000
  • spring rain season April & May
  • fall rain season November

About Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park is Tanzania’s largest national park with pristine and rugged nature. The park has an impressive variety of landscapes: grassy plains and hills, acacia and miombo forests, baobab trees and the beautiful Ruaha river.

Landscape of Ruaha National Park

The Ruaha National Park has a remarkable topography, especially around the Great Ruaha River, the heart of the park. The undulating plateau of around 900 meters on average has occasional rocky outcrops and baobab trees. The mountains in the south and west reach 1,600 and 1,900 meters respectively. Various ‘sand’ rivers wind through the park, which are used by the animals as corridors in the dry season to reach those areas where there’s still water.

These rivers, such as the great Ruaha River, are the park’s lifeline. During dry season, these rivers often become the main source of water for animals.

Climate & season

Ruaha National Park has a warm and temperate climate and is a wonderful destination, especially in our summer.

March to May:
Most rain falls in April. It’s approximately 20 degrees at night and 28 degrees during the day. The fields are wet, but green and full of flowers and birds.

June to September:
In Ruaha National Park this is the “cool” period. There is little rain and the temperature is around 17 degrees at night to around 22 degrees during the day. You see lots of elephants and buffalo during this period, looking for coolness during and during the day near and in the water.

October and November:
There’s still little rainfall, it is the hottest period. The temperatures are around 31 degrees during the day. At this time, you find large groups of animals at the rivers.

December to March:
The temperature drops slightly again, to an average of 29 degrees during the day. The precipitation varies. There are all kinds of birds and many animals that have young.

Interesting facts

1. Ruaha National Park takes its name from the Ruaha river that flows along the eastern border of the park. The river has water all year round and attracts many animals. Especially during sunset, the surroundings of the river provide a breathtaking picture.

2. Ruaha National Park is the most remote park and can best be reached with a domestic flight.

3. Baobab trees are also known as “life trees” and become on average around 500 years old. Some reach a thousand years.

4 The baobab tree – or the monkey bread tree – produces edible fruit, nutritious oil, fibers for clothing and rope and is a storage for hundreds of liters of water. Babobab powder is rich in vitamin C and calcium.
The trunk is usually hollow and can serve as a shelter for humans and animals.

5. Because of its shape, it looks like the baobab tree is upside down. According to a legend of the Bushmen (the San people), the tree was thrown from heaven to earth by the gods as a punishment and thereby landed upside down.

6. Using their front legs and trunk, the elephants are still able to get water from the dry sand rivers

Activities

In Ruaha National Park, you have the animals practically to yourself. There’s plenty of time to enjoy the wildlife for a long time.

In Ruaha National Park, you can make safaris by jeep as well as on foot.

Ruaha Wandelsafari TanzaniaRuaha safariRuaha National Park safari

Walking safari

A safari in Ruaha National Park is an adventure. The park is one of the most isolated parks in Africa, in a pristine and remote part of southern Tanzania. The park is not visited by large groups of tourists and is one of the wildest parks in Africa.
The park is very suitable for walking safaris, lasting from several hours to a few days. You can spend days here without seeing any other human being, but you do come face to face with the animals, mostly elephants.

All walking safaris can be customized

Balloon flight

This is Tanzania from a great height.
Get carried away by the wind and experience Ruaha National Park from the air!
The hot air balloon leaves early in the morning to see the magnificent sun rise over the rugged landscape and the Ruaha River. After a flight of about an hour – in the middle of the wilderness – a delicious breakfast with a delicious glass of bubbles is waiting for you.
It doesn’t get better!

Jeep safari

During a safari in Ruaha you travel with a private safari guide or in a small group. Most lodges offer safaris where you share the jeep with other guests. We recommend a minimum stay of three nights in Ruaha. Then you get a nice impression of the area. The best thing is if you can stay for four or five nights, possibly at two locations or go fly camping from the lodge.

Animals in the area

Especially in dry season, wildlife is concentrated in and around the large Ruaha river. Along the river you often find large herds of elephants and buffalo, and hippos and crocodiles live in the river.

Many other impalas, waterbucks, lions, leopards, the Greater Kudu Antelope and wild dogs live in Ruaha National Park. It is also a amazing park for bird lovers.

Click here for the wildlife overview

Dieren overzicht Ruaha National Park

  • Buffalo
  • Cheetah
  • Crocodile
  • Diverse bird species
  • Elephant
  • Gazelle
  • Hippo
  • Impala
  • Kudu antelope
  • Leopard
  • Lion
  • Waterbuck
  • Wild dog

Imagining yourself in Ruaha National Park yet?

Have a look at other example trips that can be fully adapted to your wishes or contact us directly!

example trips trip advice

Accommodations in Ruaha National Park

From comfortable and authentic to elegant and luxurious, our lodges are located in the most beautiful locations surrounded by nature and close to the animals.

Extraordinary and small-scale accommodations with stunning views to dream away, and a nice base from which you can explore the park.

Ikuka Safari Camp

Ruaha National Park, South Tanzania
Tented camp, All Inclusive
€ 720 to € 910 pppn (all inclusive)

Jabali Ridge

Ruaha National Park, South Tanzania
Villa, All Inclusive
€ 1035 to € 1845 pppn (all inclusive)
More Ruaha National Park properties