Ruaha National Park

Eden of Africa

Explore Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park

Located in central to southern Tanzania, Ruaha National Park is around 130km west of Iringa. Covering an area of 20,226km², Ruaha National Park is the largest protected area in Tanzania and East Africa.

The park derives its name from the Great Ruaha River which flows through the south-eastern section of the park and attracts a broad range of wildlife.

Ruaha is an integral part of the Rungwa-Kizigo-Muhesi ecosystem. The ecosystem spans across an area of 45,000km², and it includes the Rungwa Game Reserve, the Kizigo and Muhesi Game Reserves, and the Mbomipa Wildlife Management Area.

The Rungwa-Kizigo-Muhesi ecosystem fuses the best of Southern and East African nature.

In 1910, the German colonial regime created the Saba Game Reserve, and the British colonial authorities renamed it as the Rungwa Game Reserve in 1946. In 1964, the southern part of the reserve was elevated to national park status.

Ruaha has a stunning and diverse landscape with a vast savannah, a river which attracts a plethora of wildlife, and mountains in the south and west. Ruaha is home to rare species, including wild dogs, cheetahs, and leopards

Highlights

The centrepiece of the park – Lake Manyara, provides a stunning backdrop for wildlife sightings.
Home to an extensive array of wildlife – ranging from mammals and primates to several herbivores, antelopes, and tree-climbing lions.
The park is home to the largest population of baboons on the planet.
The varied vegetation ranges from lush forests to open grasslands.
Unique habitats like an umbrella, acacia, sausage, and baobab trees provide a life-nurturing force for a variety of wildlife and birdlife.
The best Tanzania National Park to see a full display of high-flying avians with more than 400 documented species of birds.
The wet season of the park brings with it several migratory birds, with the highlight being the plumage of beautiful pink flamingoes.
The soothing Maji Moto Hot springs are located inside the park’s premises, and visiting here is the most relaxing and refreshing.

Interesting Facts about Ruaha National Park

Ruaha has the largest concentration of elephants in East Africa with a population of around 10,000 of these gentle giants. Ruaha is also home to 10% of global lion populations.

You also have a chance of seeing leopards, cheetahs, zebras, elands, giraffes, impalas, bat-eared foxes, snakes, crocodiles, and jackals.

Ruaha’s unique position on the verge of Southern Africa means that it is home to species from Southern and Eastern Africa. The greater and lesser kudu can both be found at Ruaha. Whilst the greater kudu is traditionally found in Southern Africa, the lesser kudu is found in East Africa.
Ruaha National Park

Ruaha is home to dozens of rare species, including the sable and roan antelopes.

Cheetahs and leopards are difficult to spot in most places, but they are often sighted as they pursue their prey in the open plains of Ruaha. The wild dog is endangered worldwide, but around 100 wild dogs live in the park.

Ruaha is a birdwatcher’s paradise and 571 bird species have been sighted at the park. Ruaha also has beautiful landscapes which are dotted with acacias, baobabs, and over 1,650 plant species.