Ruaha National Park

RUAHA NATIONAL PARK

Tanzania’s largest national park which originally covered some 9500km² has been added to over the years and now extends to over 20,000km². This has created an extensive and self-contained biodiverse area one of the best safari destinations in East Africa. Second only to Katavi National Park in its untrammelled wilderness, but far more accessible, Ruaha protects a vast tract of the rugged, semi-arid bush country that characterizes central Tanzania. Its lifeblood is the Great Ruaha River, which courses along the eastern boundary in a flooded torrent during the height of the rains, but dwindling thereafter to a scattering of precious pools surrounded by a blinding sweep of sand and rock.

Wildlife consists of several species of antelopes including impala, bushbuck, waterbuck, Grant’s gazelle, lesser kudu and the spectacularly horned greater kudu. Also, present are the elusive roan and sable antelope. The elephant population of the park, currently estimated at between 12,000 to 15,000, is the largest of any Tanzanian park. These numbers have been decimated by poaching from its peak in the 1970’s when the population is estimated to have been around 70,000 elephants. Other ungulates present in the park are buffalo, giraffe and zebra.

Predators are extremely well represented in Ruaha and this is an excellent park for seeing big cats. Lions dominate and it is estimated that over 20 prides of lions, each with substantial numbers, often in excess of 15 to 20 lions per pride, exist in the park. Leopard sightings are fairly common compared to other parks and cheetahs are to be found on the open plains. In addition to hyena smaller predators such as serval, genet, bat eared fox and jackal are also resident.

Unique amongst the predators in the park is a population of African Wild Dog. Though the exact population is unknown, they can be spotted in the quieter parts of the park. The best time to see them is in June /July when they are denning with their young.

The park also offers some excellent birding opportunities with over 570 species of birds recorded with substantial populations of black-collared love bird and ashy starlings. Other notables include the crested barbet, Ruaha hornbill and the usual array of raptors.

Getting there

Scheduled and/or charter flights from Dar es Salaam, Selous, Serengeti, Arusha, Iringa and Mbeya.
Year-round road access through Iringa from Dar es Salaam (about 10 hours) via Mikumi or from Arusha via Dodoma.

What to do

• Game Viewing.
• Day walks or hiking safaris through untouched bush.
• stone age ruins at Isimila,near Iringa,120kms(75 miles) away,one of Africa’s most important historical sites.

Best time:

For predators and large mammals, dry season (mid-May-December);
bird-watching, lush scenery and wildflowers, wet season (January-April).
The male greater kudu is most visible in June, the breeding season.

Accommodation:

Riverside lodge and several exclusive and luxury tented camps;
three dry season tented camps;
self-catering bandas, several campsites; and the moderately priced Hill top lodge.