RUAHA NATIONAL PARK


Ruaha National Park is Tanzania’s second largest park and one of its wildest.

 

Only the area around the Great Ruaha River has been developed for tourism. Because of its remote location even this sees relatively few visitors, thus preserving a massive chunk of raw African wilderness in a totally unspoilt state. Activities centre on the river, which during the dry season is very low, with the remaining rock pools swarming with huge crocodiles and grunting Hippos fighting for space.

 

The park protects a wide variety of habitats because it is an important transition zone where eastern and southern species of flora and fauna overlap. In all, some 1,650 plant species and over 450 bird species have been recorded within the park itself. The birdlife is amazing here and includes Ibises, herons, stilts and kingfishers whilst owls are regularly sighted. The varying habitats of the park are home to nearly all species of eagle including the Martial, Black, Long-crested, Snake and of course Bateleur. Shrikes, weavers, Blue Waxbills, fire-finches, Quelea and both Pale-billed and Von der Decken’s Hornbill are found in the dry bushland.

 

Ruaha is a very special park. It is particularly noted for large numbers of greater kudu – probably more than anywhere else in Tanzania as well as lesser kudu, sable and roan antelope. You can visit Ruaha all year round, even in the rainy season the park is particularly stunning with huge numbers of migrating birds from both hemispheres. The southwest area of Tanzania where Ruaha is located has the lowest rainfall in Tanzania. June to November is driest with the focus of wildlife viewing around the river courses and permanent waterholes. Ruaha’s rugged bush is the real Africa, teeming with game and empty of tourists.