Ruaha National Park

Overview

Region: Iringa
Area: 20,226 km²
Established: 1964
Best Time: June to October

Ruaha is one of Tanzania’s largest national parks, a sweeping landscape of baobabs, rocky hills and sand rivers where large prides of lions, wild dogs and huge elephant herds roam far from the tourist trail.

Key Highlights

Great Ruaha River

The park’s lifeline, where crocodiles bask, hippos gather and wildlife comes to drink as the dry season takes hold.

Predator Country

Ruaha is renowned for big lion prides, and is one of the best places in East Africa to find endangered wild dogs.

Greater & Lesser Kudu

Both kudu species live here, alongside sable and roan antelope — a meeting point of East and southern African wildlife.

Baobab Landscapes

Ancient baobabs rise from the bush and rocky kopjes, giving Ruaha some of the most dramatic scenery in the country.

About Ruaha National Park

Ruaha lies in the heart of Tanzania, west of Iringa, and forms part of a vast wilderness ecosystem. Despite its size, it receives only a small share of the country’s safari visitors, so sightings are often yours alone.

The park sits where East African and southern African habitats meet. Open savanna gives way to miombo woodland, allowing species such as greater kudu and sable antelope to live alongside Grant’s gazelle and other northern plains game.

Game viewing centres on the Great Ruaha River and its sand-river tributaries, which draw elephants, buffalo and predators in the dry season. Walking safaris with an armed ranger add a thrilling new dimension.

When to Visit

Climate

Ruaha is hot and dry for much of the year, with the hottest weather in October and November. The rains arrive around December and last until April, when some roads become difficult and several camps close.

The dry season from June to October is the classic time to visit, when wildlife gathers along the rivers and predator sightings are at their best.

The green season from December to April is excellent for birdwatching and dramatic skies, with fewer visitors and lush scenery — though some areas can be hard to reach.