Ruaha National Park is Tanzania’s largest national park and one of the finest wilderness destinations on the southern safari circuit. Covering around 20,000 square kilometres in the heart of the country, it forms part of a vast ecosystem of over 45,000 square kilometres and offers a wild, remote and refreshingly uncrowded safari experience.
Wildlife
Ruaha is renowned for its enormous elephant population – among the largest in East Africa – and for its exceptional predator sightings, with big prides of lion, leopard, cheetah and endangered African wild dog. The park sits at a transition zone between southern and eastern Africa, so both greater and lesser kudu occur, along with sable and roan antelope rarely seen elsewhere.
The Great Ruaha River
The park takes its name from the Great Ruaha River, which winds along its edge and forms the focus of game viewing, drawing wildlife to its banks especially in the dry season.
Best time to visit
The dry season (June to October) offers the best game viewing, as animals concentrate around the river. The green season brings lush scenery and superb birding.
Plan your Ruaha safari
Ruaha combines well with the Selous/Nyerere and Tanzania’s southern circuit. Start planning your Tanzania safari.
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