Ruaha National Park

Why visit Ruaha National Park?

If you want a superb wildlife experience in beautiful scenery and with few people, Ruaha in southern Tanzania has got to be near the top of your list. It’s off the beaten track for many people as it’s more expensive to get to than Selous. Excellent predator sightings; lion, leopard, cheetah - and large elephant populations are the highlights of a diverse wildlife experience.
The reasons you should visit are:

• A vast and beautiful park with very few visitors. This is exclusive!
• There are only 9 lodges here all offering high quality places to stay.
• Excellent predator sightings with many lion prides, cheetahs (not in Selous), leopards and even some wild dogs.
• The Ruaha River draws extra unexpected game from East & Southern Africa, including Grant’s gazelle and large herds of kudu.
• Really excellent for elephants.

When to go on safari to Ruaha

Ruaha's dry season is roughly May to early November, but wildlife viewing is especially good from July to early November. In the green season from late November to April, game will not be as abundant but the landscape still makes this a very special safari location. Most camps are closed in (mid-March) April and May.

A Ruaha safari: How to do it?

Airstrips in Ruaha can be reached by regular flights from Dar es Salaam, and the flight takes about 2 hours. Most visitors combine Ruaha either with Selous or Serengeti, or with Katavi. Then of course you could add on some time by the Indian Ocean afterwards.

Accommodation in Ruaha

You may choose to stay in a few different camps during your time in Ruaha. Choose Jongomero Camp for luxury in a beautiful, remote location. Kigelia is a small exclusive option, or try Mdonya Old River for comfortable rustic accommodation.