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Why visit Ruaha National Park?
Ruaha National Park in southern Tanzania is an ancient landscape of giant gnarled baobabs, sandy riverbeds and rocky hills. In addition to hosting about 10% of Africa's lions, this wilderness also supports significant populations of leopards, wild dogs, and cheetahs, as well as huge herds of buffalo and Tanzania's largest population of elephants. Ruaha is one of the few places where greater and lesser kudu occur together. Visitors may even encounter the elusive striped hyena.
Centre of a massive conservation area
Ruaha National Park spans over 20,000 km² (2 million hectares), thanks to the inclusion of Usangu Game Reserve and important wetland areas into the park in 2008.
The semi-arid park is one of the largest protected areas in East Africa. It is just part of a vital ecosystem in central Tanzania, which includes Muhesi, Kisigo and Rungwa Game Reserves, as well as surrounding Wildlife Management Areas and community regions - a combined Ruaha landscape of almost 50,000km² (5 million hectares).
In the words of our CEO
"There is a primordial feel about Ruaha - those huge ancient baobabs, scarred by centuries of weather and elephants and the huge herds of buffaloes kicking up the dust as they battle prides of lions - eternal enemies. My kind of place." Simon Espley - CEO of Africa Geographic
READ MORE about Ruaha National Park.
Ruaha quick facts & tips
10% of Africa's lions and Tanzania's largest population of elephants live in Ruaha
No crowds: Even during peak season, a Ruaha safari doesn't get congested, and because of this, you may feel like you have the entire place to yourself
Remote but connected: Although Ruaha is located in the remote southern circuit, it is easily accessible via daily scheduled flights into the park’s two airstrips (Msembe and Jongomero) from Arusha, Dodoma, Kigoma and Dar es Salaam.
Bush & beach: Pair your Ruaha safari with one of the Spice Islands - Zanzibar | Pemba | Mafia
What wildlife can I expect to see in Ruaha National Park?
In addition to hosting about 10% of Africa's lions, Ruaha also supports significant populations of leopard, wild dog, and cheetah, as well as huge herds of buffalo and Tanzania's largest population of elephants.
You will also see Masai giraffe, roan and sable antelope, hippopotamus, Nile crocodile, zebra, impala, and smaller species such as the honey badger, serval, aardvark, and pangolin.
Ruaha is one of the few places where greater and lesser kudu occur together. Visitors may even encounter the elusive striped hyena.
Bird watchers can expect over 570 species, including black eagle, ashy starling, black-masked and yellow-collared lovebirds and seasonal migrants like the sooty and Eleonora’s falcons.
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Ruaha FAQs
The Ruaha dry season runs from June to October, and it is during this period that the rivers become crucial to the wildlife of Ruaha. The lack of other water sources makes wildlife gather near the rivers, making them easier to find. The thinner vegetation during the dry season also makes it easier to spot wildlife. Large herds of elephants, giraffes, buffalo, kudus, and other antelopes are drawn to the water, along with the predators that follow them.
There are two rainy seasons in Ruaha, similar to most of East Africa, with ‘short rains’ falling during November and December and the much heavier downpours of the ‘long rains’ occurring in March and April.
Peak season bookings (July–October) require 12–18 months advance planning. Trips outside of peak season can be arranged 6–9 months ahead, with better rates and availability.
Safaris to Ruaha typically cost from US$700 per person, per night, depending on the accommodation comfort level and activities. Our packages offer excellent value with transparent pricing.
Our Ruaha safari prices typically include accommodation, all meals, game drives and other described activities, park fees, experienced guides, airport transfers and 24/7 support from our team. Specific inclusions vary by package – contact us for detailed itineraries.
You only make your first payment when you book your Ruaha holiday. Your second (last) payment is about 90 days before you travel.
We have been handcrafting experiential safaris since 1991. Travel in Africa is about knowing when and where to go, and with whom. A few weeks too early/late or a few kilometres off course, and you could miss the greatest show on Earth. And wouldn’t that be a pity?
Booking through a respected tour operator with many years of experience means that all you need to focus on is helping us design your safari and then having a superb vacation. The rest - all the nitty-gritty detail and admin is done while you relax. Our 24/7 concierges take care of problems such as flight changes and missed flights, last-minute road transfer and lodge changes due to unexpected events, and itinerary changes requested by you.
Remember that you will not save money by attempting to book and manage your own safari, but you will inherit mistakes and problems that arise.
Yes, your money is safe. Your payments go into a third-party TRUST ACCOUNT - protecting them in the unlikely event of a financial setback on our part. Also, we are members of SATSA who attest to our integrity, legal compliance and financial stability. See what travellers say about us.
By booking your safari with Africa Geographic, you make a significant difference because:
We donate a portion of every safari sold to selected conservation efforts at ground level
Your safari supports our conservation publishing efforts, which educate the world about Africa's incredible biodiversity and the local people who protect it
Our chosen lodges support local community initiatives, ensuring that tourism benefits the nearby villages directly. They also adhere to strict environmental practices, such as limited vehicle numbers and sustainable camp operations, which help protect the ecosystem
YOUR safari choice does make a difference - thank you!
Start planning your Ruaha safari
Our travel experts will craft a no-obligation itinerary just for you. We have crafted over 5,000 safaris since 1991. Your personal details are protected; we only use this information to contact you.
Why choose us to craft your safari?
Handcrafted experiential safaris since 1991.
Travel in Africa is about knowing when and where to go, and with whom. A few weeks too early/late or a few kilometres off course, and you could miss the greatest show on Earth. And wouldn’t that be a pity?
Trust & Safety
Guest payments go into a third-party TRUST ACCOUNT - protecting them in the unlikely event of a financial setback on our part. Also, we are members of SATSA who attest to our integrity, legal compliance and financial stability.
Make a difference
We donate a portion of the revenue from every safari sold to carefully selected conservation projects that make a significant difference at ground level.
YOUR safari choice does make a difference - thank you!