When you go on vacation to Tanzania, Ruaha National Park is the second biggest national park after Selous. It is in the middle of the country. Because it’s not very easy to get to, it doesn’t get nearly as many visitors as similar parks in the Northern route. The most important river in the park is the Great Ruaha River, which runs through it.

There are many kinds of plants and trees in Ruaha. But its acacias and many baobab trees are what make it stand out. It is known of more than 1,650 different kinds of plants.

There is wildlife in Ruaha National Park.

There are a lot of African elephants in Ruaha. Some people think it has the most crowded population in all of Africa! There are likely more elephants in the National Park than in any other park in East Africa. It is also home to big cats like kudu, sable, and roan antelopes that you can’t find in any other national park.

Also, almost 10% of Africa’s lions live here! You might also see lions, cheetahs, and giraffes here. In the park, there are a lot of zebras, elands, impalas, bat-eared foxes, and thieves. However, the famous Great Migration does not happen in this park. It is still a lovely place to visit. You might also see the rare wild dogs in Ruaha National Park if you’re lucky.

There are snakes and frogs in the National Park.

This is also where you can find reptiles and animals! There are also crocodiles, dangerous and non-poisonous snakes, monitor and agama lizards, and frogs in and near the river. Ruaha National Park has an environment that is mostly untouched and unexplored. It will make your safari adventure one of a kind!

The birds in Ruaha

One of the best places to see elephants is in Ruaha. It’s also a great place to watch birds. In Ruaha National Park, you can see 571 different kinds of birds. These include the Crested barbet, Dickinson’s kestrel, Pale-billed hornbill, Violet-crested turaco, Racket-tailed roller, Plovers, Kingfishers, Hornbills, Green-wood hoopoes, Sunbirds, Bee-eaters, and Egrets.

Trips and things to do in Ruaha National Park
You can have a great adventure in Ruaha, which is a quiet place.

It goes well with Udzungwa National Park, Mikumi National Park, and Selous Game Reserve, which are all in the southern circle.

Time to get to Ruaha

You can fly from Dar Es Salaam, Arusha, Selous, Zanzibar, Katavi, Mikumi, Iringa, Kigoma, and Selous.
A dirt road can take you there from Iringa (130 km).
From Ruaha to Mikumi: 5 to 6 hours to drive
From Ruaha to Udzungwa: 5 to 6 hours to drive
Best to fly between Ruaha and Selous
Our experts have given us travel tips for Ruaha.
It’s been 18 years since I became a guide at Ruaha National Park. My name is Chengo. A lot of our guests are shocked by how many elephants they can see here. People who love to watch birds also love this park. And the scenery is very pretty, with its rivers and baobab trees.

How long are you staying?

Stay here for at least two days. It’s a long way, but the park is worth the extra time.

The best way to get to this park is by plane.

Which hotel?

Most of the places to stay in Ruaha are very nice, but I do suggest the following:

The Ruaha River Lodge is Silver.
Jongomero (in gold)
Asanja Ruaha (6-star)
How to get to Ruaha at its best
All year long, you can drive on the way to Ruaha. The two main rainy seasons in Ruaha National Park are short and long. The short season starts in November and ends in May. February is the best month to watch birds. Between June and October is the dry season in the national park.