GUIDE ON RUAHA NATIONAL PARK IN TANZANIA

Ruaha National Park in southern Tanzania is one of the most awe-inspiring and untouched East African safari destinations. It covers an area more than many small European countries like Cyprus, Malta, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg etc. with great variation in terrain from mountains to swamps and from forests to sand rivers. Its unspoiled character results from its inaccessibility which contributes to the tremendous range of wildlife to be found on an active-adventure tour in Ruaha, not in vast herds of single species, but in diverse and widespread fauna communities.

Since the park straddles the convergence zone of lush highland riverine forest with ferns and orchids and dry, arid valley floor with palms, baobabs and miombo woodlands, an incredible total of 64 mammal species inhabit the park, including 17 species of antelope, 6 types of mongoose and 6 cat genera including prides of lions, families of cheetahs, well-camouflaged leopard, African wild cats, caracals and cervals, not to be confused with genets and civets which are also common.



Many species, such as the African wild dog and greater kudu exist too but are threatened or absent from other parks and conservation areas. Ruaha boasts over of thousands of elephants in dissected herds, and also buffalos, hundreds of crocodiles and hippopotamus, diverse kinds of fish in the Great Ruaha River, and one of the largest bird checklists ever to delight any twitcher’s heart, with over 570 recorded species.

The park covers over 20,000 square kilometers (7700 sq. miles) which overlap the limits of migration from all four points of the compass. Its isolation and rugged nature afford an unrivaled AfricanMecca nature holiday experience, humans alone in a largely unexplored paradise with new marvels to be found at every turn. There are over 1650 known plant species, compared with only 410 in the Serengeti. Such richness deserves conservation.



The eco-tourist industry, relatively new here, makes it possible to fund projects to preserve the unique heritage of Ruaha for the enjoyment and wonder of visitors on a bush tour in Tanzania from all over the world. Apart from a small number of tented camps and tourist lodges, no human settlements are permitted. Being a national park, no off-road driving is allowed; although, night game drives are available at select camps in Ruaha e.g Jabali Ridge, Kwihala.

But since the wildlife have not learned to fear mankind, your Tanzanian wondrous safari starts at home. They can also be observed from most of the camp tents and lodge rooms (read more on where to stay in Ruaha). Warthogs and giraffes are frequent visitors as are elephant and buffalo. Hyraxes, like cuddly stuffed toys, inquisitive mongooses and bounding dik-diks congregate on terraces. Hippos and crocodiles bask on river banks. Zebra and giraffe stroll only yards from the camps. Troops of baboons and monkeys groom each other and frolic while lion prides snooze in dry grass within binocular or camera zoom range.