Things to do in Ruaha National Park
Things to do in Ruaha National Park : Ruaha National Park is the largest protected region in southern Tanzania, situated around 130 kilometers west of Iringa. The park was founded in 1910 as Saba Game Reserve by Germany. In 1946, the British colonial authorities renamed it Rungwa Game Reserve, and in 1964, a small section of the southeastern area of the Great Ruaha River was integrated into a national park. Ruaha National Park encompasses an area of 20,226 square kilometers, featuring diverse vegetation types including Miombo woodlands, open savannah biomes, acacia, and baobab trees. It is home to various animal species such as elephants, buffaloes, hartebeests, greater kudus, giraffes, zebras, defassa waterbucks, impalas, bushbucks, roan and sable antelopes, gazelles, lesser kudus, lions, cheetahs, leopards, black-backed jackals, spotted hyenas, and numerous colorful bird species. The national park is named after the extensive Ruaha River, which spans 475 km and runs along the southeastern boundary, serving as a significant location for wildlife observation. Five intriguing activities are available for engagement throughout your safari in Ruaha National Park, which include
Things to do in Ruaha National Park
Game Drive
A game drive constitutes a primary activity in Ruaha National Park, where participants traverse several game trails in a 4WD pop-up safari vehicle, accompanied by a knowledgeable driver-guide. Game drives in the park are most effective early in the morning when wildlife is active and late in the afternoon. During the game drive, you will observe substantial herds of elephants, buffaloes, roan and sable antelopes, zebras, giraffes, impalas, and larger kudus, as well as predators such as lions, leopards, wild dogs, and cheetahs before they retreat to their concealment places. You will traverse the magnificent Ruaha River, offering great vistas of diverse fauna.
Night Game Drive in Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park is a protected region in Tanzania that provides thrilling night game drives, allowing visitors to observe nocturnal creatures. On the nocturnal game drive, you will be accompanied by a professional driver in a 4WD safari vehicle equipped with spotlight torches, along with an armed park guide who will assist in locating nocturnal wildlife such as wild cats, leopards, lions, bush babies, bat-eared foxes, genets, nightjars, civets, spotted hyenas, and serval cats, among others. You will also have the opportunity to observe hippos grazing, admire the stars, and listen to the nocturnal sounds, among other experiences.
Guided nature walks
This is an exceptional activity that allows guests to traverse the park on foot accompanied by a knowledgeable armed park ranger familiar with various walking pathways. The park provides brief excursions lasting 1 to 4 hours, extended treks exceeding 5 hours, and guided nature walks that allow tourists to closely observe wildlife in their natural habitats, various plant and tree species, vibrant butterflies, and the tranquil surroundings. Visitors can unwind, appreciate stunning sunrise and sunset vistas, observe avian species in flight, enjoy the melodious sounds of birdsong, and capture exquisite photographs, among other activities.
Bird observation
Ruaha National Park is a premier avian destination in Tanzania, hosting over 470 bird species, including endemic species exclusive to central Tanzania, migratory species, and aquatic species. Birdwatching in the park can be conducted early in the morning with a knowledgeable bird guide in the acacia savannah and miombo woodlands, where enthusiasts can observe various bird species, including the bateleur, African fish eagle, crested barbet, goliath heron, namaqua dove, ashy starling, Tanzanian red-billed hornbill, yellow-collared lovebird, white-bellied go-away bird, collared palm thrush, giant kingfisher, spur-winged goose, racket-tailed roller, Pel’s fishing owl, African hawk, and green wood hoopoe, among others.
Cultural tours
The cultural trip is an exceptional supplementary activity that permits guests to see the Hehe people in adjacent communities. During the cultural trip, you will engage with the local populace to gain insights into their lifestyle, culture, attire, history, observe their residences, hear their traditional narratives, sample their cuisine, visit their agricultural areas, schools, and purchase handcrafted things, among other activities.
Accessing Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park can be reached via road or air travel. Traveling by vehicle involves a 9-hour trip from Dar es Salaam to the park headquarters along a dusty and uneven route. Air transport to Ruaha National Park is available via scheduled or charter flights from Dar es Salaam or Arusha to Jongomero or Msembe airstrips, with a duration of around one hour. Flights can be arranged through your tour operator like All Tanzania Safaris
Best time to visit Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park is accessible year-round, although the optimal time for visitation is during the dry season from June to October, when reduced vegetation facilitates clearer visibility of animals grazing in the open plains. In the dry season, animals congregate around water sources, providing an opportunity for exceptional wildlife observation and photography. The national park is accessible throughout the rainy season from March to May and November, which is optimal for avian observation, allowing bird enthusiasts to observe migratory and vibrant species.