Ruaha is Tanzania's largest national park, a rugged, remote wilderness of baobab-studded hills, dry bush and the sandy Great Ruaha River. It is one of the least crowded and most rewarding parks in East Africa, with some of the largest lion prides in Africa, huge elephant herds and a mix of northern and southern species not found elsewhere in Tanzania.
The park is a transition zone between east and southern Africa, so you can see greater and lesser kudu, roan and sable antelope, and the bush is full of birds. African wild dog are regularly seen, and cheetah and leopard live in the rocky hills. The Great Ruaha River is the lifeline of the park, and in the dry season everything comes to it.
Ruaha is reached by a short flight, offers walking and fly-camping, and suits travellers who want space and silence.
Ruaha is home to about 10 percent of the world’s lions, together with leopard, cheetah, spotted hyena and African wild dog. Elephants, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, eland, impala, roan and sable antelope, and both greater and lesser kudu live in the park, and the river holds hippos and crocodiles. Rhino do not live in Ruaha.
Chance of seeing
Our estimate for a stay of two or three nights with a good guide. Wildlife is wild, so nothing is promised.
Ruaha is a landscape of sandy dry riverbeds, rocky hills, baobabs and open bush. The Great Ruaha River winds between steep banks, and in the dry season it shrinks to a few deep pools surrounded by animals.
Activities here
Ruaha is hot and dry for most of the year, with daytime temperatures of 27°C to 33°C. The nights from June to August are cool, sometimes close to 12°C. The rains fall from December to April, heavier from January to March.
| Month | Day °C | Night °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31 | 19 | 160 |
| Feb | 31 | 19 | 150 |
| Mar | 30 | 19 | 150 |
| Apr | 29 | 18 | 70 |
| May | 28 | 16 | 10 |
| Jun | 27 | 13 | 0 |
| Jul | 27 | 12 | 0 |
| Aug | 29 | 14 | 0 |
| Sep | 31 | 16 | 0 |
| Oct | 33 | 19 | 5 |
| Nov | 32 | 20 | 40 |
| Dec | 31 | 19 | 130 |
Approximate long-term averages. Higher ground is cooler, and forests can rain in any month.
June to October is dry and bright. Rivers shrink, and animals concentrate along the Great Ruaha and its waterholes, which makes game viewing superb. October is the hottest month.
The rains from December to April green the bush and bring migrant birds, but roads can be difficult and many camps close in March and April. The animals disperse, and viewing is slower.
June to October is the best time to visit Ruaha, with excellent predator viewing at the river. November to December has early rains and fresh birds. Many camps close in the heavy rains from March to May.
Best time to visit Jun to Oct
Ruaha is reached by scheduled or charter flight from Dar es Salaam (about 1 hour 30 minutes), Arusha or Nyerere, to airstrips such as Msembe and Jongomero. The road from Dar es Salaam takes about eleven hours via Iringa, so most guests fly. It links with Nyerere in the south for a classic southern circuit.
Park fees are included in our safaris. Most visitors need a Tanzania visa, applied for online before travel or bought on arrival, and a passport valid for at least six months.
Ruaha is remote, hot and dusty, so bring sun protection and plenty of water. Medical care is a flight away, and camps carry first-aid kits. Please take advice on malaria before you travel.
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“Our take”
Ruaha is a good second Tanzania trip. Stay at least three nights and ask for a camp on the river.
Safaris from
US$2,858 per person
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