Katavi National Park
July 6, 2021
Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve)
July 6, 2021Katavi National Park
July 6, 2021Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve)
July 6, 2021
Ruaha National Park is one of the finest safari and wilderness areas in the whole of Africa and arguably the finest in Tanzania. Its low visitor numbers, sense of true remote wilderness and some of the best safari camps and guides in the country make it a real safari lovers paradise.
Ruaha National Park has an incredibly diverse ecosystem, from vast plains to wild woodlands, which makes it a truly worthwhile safari experience. Including Ruaha in any Tanzania safari as either part of a longer trip combining with the Selous Game reserve to the east or Katavi National Park to the west is highly recommended. In fact, Ruaha can easily be combined with the Northern Parks of Tanzania by combining with Tarangire National Park before making your way to the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti.
At Tailormade Africa, we have a deep and impassioned love for Ruaha and urge all safari visitors to consider visiting. There are only a handful of camps here, and 90% of them we feel are just fantastic. Well run, authentic in the bush camps at varying degrees of luxury. The management and staff of all the camps we endorse have created ambient and warm, welcoming atmospheres. That home-away-from-home feeling. Our favourites would be Kichaka camp, probably the best walking safari experience in Southern Tanzania, with professional guide Andrew (Moli) Molinaro. Kwihala, Jongomero, and Mdonya Old River Camp are all very different from each other, but all excellent in their own right. Kigelia Camp makes up the last of the camps we have a strong feeling for.
The wildlife viewing in Ruaha is sensational. The variant ecosystem and biodiversity here plays host to a whole range of animal species set against truly epic scenic backdrops. Interestingly this park sort of sits in a buffer zone between East and Southern Africa terrain which gives you an interesting and ultimately magical mix of the Plains of the Serengeti/Massai Mara in equal measure to the mixed (Miombo) woodland, Acacia scrub and woodland and Baobab terrain of Southern Africa. All that along with a seasonal river, the Ruaha River, helps create this remarkable park.
The walking safaris here deserves special mention as they are few places in East Africa that has “real” big game walking safari. Tracking down and spending time with Elephant, Lion and buffalo on foot is an extraordinary experience. Currently there are only a handful of guides that have the required skill and numbers of years of experience behind them to offer this twist on a safari safely. The best guides of East Africa all work in Ruaha at some point in their career as is very much a safari aficionado’s paradise, remote and away from the dense visitor numbers of most of the other parks and game reserves in Tanzania.
Ruaha National Park FAQs
Ruaha National Park is a typical dry season park, with the best time to see larger mammals and predators being between mid-May and December. As water becomes scarce toward the end of the dry season, the game gathers around available water sources, offering unbeatable game viewing opportunities.
During the wet season from January to April the bush becomes lush and green and many migratory birds arrive from the northern climes, making it an idyllic birdwatching paradise.
Ruaha National Park boasts with large herds of elephants, 80 animals species, 10% of the world's lion population and over 500 bird species and a lot of plant life the park was established as a game reserve in 1910 and was officially made a national park in 1964, it is also uniquely known for harboring small animals like monitor lizards and poisonous snakes and monitor lizards. Over 1,600 plant species have been recorded to be in Ruaha.
Ruaha is the most remote and probably the most filled with animals in the southern Tanzania circuit compared to other parks like Selous game reserve.
Ruaha National Park is excitingly diverse and has a wide range of activities on offer because of the park’s thrilling atmosphere emanating from its unrestricted wilderness which has a great combination of untouched vegetation and fascinating landscapes characterized by different species from the East and the South that supports the animal’s reliability.
A hot air balloon safari in Ruaha National Park is the invention from the Serengeti Balloon Safaris, which has been operating in central Serengeti since 1989 with a repute of having flown more than 250,000 visitors. An absolute must-do in our humble opinion.
The drive to Ruaha from Dar Es Salaam can take up to 10 hours, and a lot of it is on a dusty, bumpy roads. If you prefer driving over flying we would rather arrange another stop over first. The best and also easier way to get to Ruaha is by chartered or scheduled flight from Dar Es Salaam to the park's airstrip. There are also flights connecting all parks of the southern circuit safari. Flights from Arusha town, the base for the northern safari circuit, are also available. Coastal Aviation also offers direct scheduled flights between Serengeti National Park and Ruaha National Park.
RUAHA NATIONAL PARKCAMPS
Jabali Ridge is the most luxurious place to base yourself on a Ruaha safari in Tanzania. The lodge has a fantastic view of this wild and magnificent park.
Jabali Ridge’s eight suites are hidden amongst the rocky boulders that cocoon the property. An infinity pool, spa, and plenty of places to relax ensure that time in camp is as memorable as time out in the bush. Expert guides lead walking safaris, game drives, and night drives. Jabali ... Read more
Kwihala Camp is set deep in the bush on a hillside, with fantastic views out over the park in the game rich central area of Ruaha, close to it's sister camp Jabali Ridge. Those in the know, seek out safari adventures in Africa’s less-travelled wildernesses like remote Ruaha, which is also host to 10% of the world’s lion population. This game-rich conservation area and the sheer comfort of the camp provide an exceptional wilderness experience ... Read more
Kichaka Camp offers one of the best best walking safari experiences in Southern Tanzania with professional guide Andrew (Moli) Molinaro. Kichaka is a mobile bush camp (more like glamping) - always situated in the top game viewing area in a grove of trees to provide shade ... Read more
Under the magnificent shade trees, on the banks of the Jongomero sand river lies the beautiful Jongomero camp. This hidden gem is tucked away in a remote corner of the Ruaha National Park. Here you will get a chance to experience Africa’s best kept secret. For guests seeking an authentic African adventure, a visit to Ruaha National Park is essential ... Read more
Kigelia Ruaha is where you go when your soul seeks the humbling solitude of giant baobabs, the exhiliration of encountering Africa's big cats or great herds of elephant; where the focus is on experiencing nature and not the gold taps, and where you can feel at home while simultaneously enjoying the care of a dedicated team ... Read more
Located in the central part of Ruaha National Park and shaded by acacia woodland along the Old Mdonya riverbed, Mdonya Old River Camp offers an authentic, back-to-basics safari experience that connects you directly to the wild. ... Read more
Ikuka Camp is ideally located on the Mwagusi Escarpment and is one of only a handful of owner run safari camps. There are only 7 beautifully appointed rooms in this small intimate camp, which makes for superb game viewing. The swimming pool, main mess area and dining room all with stunning views across Ruaha valley. Ikuka is also superb for big game walking safaris. Escape other travellers and explore one of the continent’s remotest and game-rich parks ... Read more
