The largest national park in Tanzania, which is famous for herds of elephants and lions. You will not meet other jeeps during game drives.
Description
The Ruaha National Park is renowned for its wild and free growing terrain with a plethora of fauna. Similar to Katavi National Park in its wilderness, this one is geographically more approachable. The Great Ruaha River creates an eastern border of the park which consists of large areas of a rocky semi-dry region as is typical for central Tanzania. This river can flood over during the wet season, but gives away to sand and rock with a small amount of water during the drier periods of the year.
Among the wildlife to be found in the Ruaha National Park, giraffes run alongside each other while zebras stalk them in groups nearby. Further away, elephants can be spotted under the baobao trees forming a shielding crowd around their offspring. With over 10,000 individuals, this is the biggest elephant population in any of the East Africa national parks.
About Ruaha National Park
- Size: 10,300 square kilometers (3,980 square miles); Tanzania's second biggest park.
- Location: Central Tanzania, 128 kilometers (80 miles) West of Iringa.
When to go
In order to view large mammals and predators, go in the dry season from mid-May to December. If you are interested in wildflowers, lush scenery and bird-watching, visit in the wet season from January to April. June is the best month for male greater kudu, it's the breeding season.
What to do
- Walking safari
- Night game drive
- Visit Stone Age ruins at Isimila, 120 kilometers (75 miles) from the park, close to Iringa, one of Africa's most important archeological sites.
Wildlife
- Lions, giraffes, leopards, different kinds of antelope, birds, cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs, and many others.
