Ruaha National Park

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Home / Destinations / Ruaha National Park – Tanzania’s Wild Heart

Tanzania’s Best-Kept Safari Secret

Far from the crowds of the Northern Circuit, Ruaha National Park offers a raw, wild, and authentic safari experience. As Tanzania’s largest national park, it boasts huge herds of elephants, powerful predators, and some of Africa’s most pristine landscapes. If you’re looking for solitude, untamed nature, and thrilling wildlife, Ruaha is the place to be.

Why Visit Ruaha National Park?

Ruaha National Park offers a true wilderness experience far from the crowds. With its large elephant and predator populations, dramatic landscapes, and remote location, it’s perfect for safari in the southern circuit. Here’s what makes Ruaha worth visiting:

  • One of the Largest national park in Tanzania (20,000+ km²)
  • Home to 10% of Africa’s lions
  • Fewer tourists = intimate safari experiences
  • Untouched baobab-studded landscapes
  • Excellent for serious wildlife photographers and adventurers

Top Things to Do in Ruaha National Park

Ruaha is a quiet and wild place where you can see animals in their natural home. From game drives to walking safaris and birdwatching, there are many great ways to explore the park. Here are the top things to do in Ruaha National Park:

1. Game Drives

Explore remote valleys and rivers teeming with lions, elephants, kudu, and leopards.

2. Walking Safaris

Get off the vehicle and into the bush with a guide for a deep, sensory experience.

3. Birdwatching

With 570+ species, Ruaha is a paradise for bird lovers, especially during the green season.

4. Night Game Drives (at select lodges)

Spot nocturnal creatures like civets, genets, and porcupines.

Wildlife Highlights in Ruaha National Park

  • Massive elephant herds
  • Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs
  • Rare antelope: Roan, Sable, and Lesser Kudu
  • Wild dogs, Hyenas, and Giraffes
  • Abundant birdlife: hornbills, fish eagles, and kingfishers

Getting There

  • Flights from Dar es Salaam or Arusha to Msembe Airstrip
  • Accessible by road (long journey)

Where to Stay

Ruaha National park has many places to stay, from budget camps to luxury lodges. You can choose to stay in areas for easy game drives or other preferred locations. 

  • Luxury: Jabali Ridge, Asilia’s Kwihala Camp
  • Mid-range: Ruaha River Lodge, Mdonya Old River Camp
  • Budget: Public campsites

The Bottomline 

Ruaha National Park is wild, beautiful, and untamed—perfect for travelers seeking a true African wilderness experience. It may not be as famous as Serengeti, but those who venture here often call it Tanzania’s best safari park.

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