Lounging under the shade of a baobab tree, a baby elephant eagerly awaits her afternoon snack. Her mother, the matriarch, tears off a branch to the delight of the infant. Ruaha has the highest concentration of elephants anywhere in East Africa. Here, you’re at crossroads between southern and eastern safari ecosystems.
Ruaha National Park is a favorite safari destination for many Africa aficionados. And that is for good reason: when it comes to a combination of wilderness appeal and diverse wildlife viewing, Ruaha is hard to beat. Its untrammeled bush vibe extends to its limited accommodation options, which mostly consist of exclusive rustic lodges and tented camps, all spread out over a vast area.
Wildlife: Predator viewing in Ruaha is exceptional. The park is known for its big prides of lion and healthy wild dog population. While lions are very territorial, wild dogs, with their big home ranges, are a lot more elusive. The best time to see them is when they are denning. Elephants and a wide variety of antelope are another big draw to the park.
How to get to Ruaha National Park: You can reach Ruaha via plane or car, although we recommend the former for ease and comfort. If you do decide to drive, you can take in the landscapes of rural Tanzania and see traditional housing during the journey. If you decide to stop over in Morogoro or Iringa, you can even get a taste of traditional village life.
Ruaha is 625 km away from Dar es Salaam and the road journey takes around 9 hours. You can also drive from Iringa which is only 130 km away.
By plane, the journey is a lot shorter. There are frequent flights from Dar es Salaam, Arusha, the Serengeti, Kigoma, and Dodoma to the local airstrips, Msembe and Jongomero. Coastal Aviation and Safari Airlink operate flights from Dar es Salaam. Private flights can be booked on request.
When to visit Ruaha National Park?
Like most other Tanzanian national parks, it is best to visit Ruaha during the long dry season from June to October. It is relatively cool during this period compared to the hot dry season from mid-December to mid-March.
The dry season also provides great conditions for wildlife viewing because animals are drawn to the dwindling water sources and the grass is too short for them to hide.
For bird enthusiasts, the European winter months (December to April) are the best time to visit as migratory birds make their way down to Tanzania. Some lodges close in the long-wet season (March-May), so you will need to be flexible when you are finding your accommodation.
Safaris at Ruaha
Morning game drives and walking safaris are the most popular activities at Ruaha. Night drives are not permitted. Walking safaris with an experienced ranger allow you to get even closer to the wildlife. There’s nothing quite like getting within metres of a 6-tonne elephant.
Safaris at Ruaha offer great wildlife photography opportunities. Visitor numbers in the park are much lower than in the Serengeti or Ngorongoro, which means you can feel like you have the park all to yourself.
Hot air balloon trips are another great way to discover Ruaha National Park, and they offer a unique perspective of the wilderness. These trips are quite expensive (around US$550 per person), but soaring above the wild plains of East Africa is an experience few can put claim to, and is worth every penny.
Wildlife at 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 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.
Accommodation in Ruaha National Park
Luxury:
Jabali Ridge: Managed by Asilia Africa, this luxury lodge offers comfortable, stylish accommodation. Overlooking the Mwagusi River, the lodge offers great views of elephant and buffalo during the dry season. Jabali offers 8 suites, including Jabali Private House for travellers who value their own space. The lodge also provides hammocks, an infinity pool, and a spa which offers hot stone massages.
Jongomero Camp: Seamlessly blending into its stunning surroundings, this camp is situated on the banks of the seasonal Jongomero River, an important water source for a plethora of wildlife. Its bar and restaurant are situated on an open wood terrace and their furniture is crafted from reclaimed dhow wood.
Kichaka Expeditions: Choose between 3 eco-friendly camps which combine a rustic feel with luxury. Kichaka’s camps are located within the heart of the wilderness and Kichaka prides itself on the remote locations of its camps. Kichaka Frontier is the main base of Kichaka Expeditions.
Mid – Range:
Kwihala Camp: Also managed by Asilia Africa, this solar-powered camp offers 6 spacious tents. The expedition-style camp is just a 45-minute drive from Msembe Airstrip. An evening tipple next to the campfire is the perfect way to round off a day of adventures at Ruaha.
Nomad Kigelia Camp: A small bush camp in the east of Ruaha which offers 6 spacious tents, a twin-roomed family tent, and a choice between indoor and outdoor dining. A bush breakfast is available, and bush walks are an optional extra.
Ruaha River Lodge: Situated on a bend of the Great Ruaha River, this lodge has a fantastic location. The lodge offers 24 stone-built chalets which all have their own private veranda that offers excellent views of Ruaha’s wildlife. The dining area is split between 2 locations: a riverside banda and a hilltop banda which offers sweeping views across the Great Ruaha River.
Mwagusi Camp: This camp was built in 1987, making it the oldest camp in the park. Almost all of the camp is built from natural materials, including grass thatch, timber, and driftwood. Each banda features a large spacious tent which is pitched under a thatched roof. The camp supports the Foxes’ Community and Wildlife Conservation Trust (FCWCT), a grassroots organisation that has undertaken crucial conservation work in the surrounding area.
Budget Lodge
Mdonya Old River Camp: This budget camp offers 12 Meru-style tents. The camp is functional, but comfortable, and it prides itself on sticking to safari basics such as showers under the open sky.
