Lion Country
Ruaha is home to more than 10% of Africa's remaining wild lions, with large prides often seen along the river.
Tanzania National Parks
Ruaha National Park
Vast, wild and wonderfully uncrowded, Ruaha is one of Africa's great predator parks, where the Great Ruaha River draws elephants, lions and rare antelope across a dramatic landscape.
- Location
- 128 km west of Iringa
- Known For
- Lions & greater kudu
- Size
- About 20,300 km²
- Best Time
- June – October
Discover Ruaha
A true wilderness in southern Tanzania.
Ruaha National Park covers about 20,300 km², making it one of Tanzania's largest parks. It takes its name from the Great Ruaha River, which flows along its eastern border for about 160 km; the name comes from Luvaha, meaning great in the Hehe language.
Established in 1964, Ruaha is one of the most sought-after gems of southern Tanzania. It is wilder and less visited than the northern parks, offering a genuine wilderness experience with excellent wildlife and very few vehicles.
Why Ruaha
One of Africa's finest wildlife parks.
Ruaha rewards travellers who want big wildlife, big landscapes and the feeling of having the wilderness to themselves.
Elephant Herds
Large herds of elephants make Ruaha one of the leading parks in East Africa for these giants.
Greater Kudu
The park hosts more greater kudu than any other East African protected area; the kudu is the park's emblem.
Painted Dogs
Ruaha holds one of the world's largest populations of endangered African painted dogs (wild dogs).
Location
Where is Ruaha National Park?
Ruaha National Park lies in central southern Tanzania, about 128 km west of Iringa, 695 km from Dar es Salaam and 430 km from Morogoro. Most visitors arrive by light aircraft from Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Arusha or Nyerere National Park.
Several rivers crisscross the park, including the Great Ruaha and the Mwagusi sand river, and where there is water there is wildlife. Ruaha forms part of a much larger ecosystem with surrounding game reserves and wildlife management areas.
When to visit
Every season tells a different Ruaha story.
Ruaha is at its best in the dry season, but the green season brings its own rewards for birders and photographers.
Dry Season
Prime game viewing as wildlife concentrates along the Great Ruaha River and sand rivers. Excellent for big cats and elephants.
Short Rains
The bush turns green and migratory birds arrive, while game viewing remains good.
Green Season
Lush scenery, newborn animals and superb birding, with very few visitors.
Long Rains
The wettest months; some camps close and roads can be difficult.
What is the best month to visit Ruaha?
The dry months bring the best game viewing, while the green season offers beautiful landscapes and birdlife.
Green season with lush scenery, newborn animals and excellent birding.
Warm and green, with good predator activity and very few vehicles.
Lush landscapes before the heavier rains; great for photography.
Long rains; many camps close and roads become challenging.
Rains ease and the park begins to dry out.
Dry season begins; wildlife starts gathering along the rivers.
Excellent game viewing with cool mornings and clear skies.
Superb predator sightings as animals stay close to water.
Prime season, with big herds of elephants and buffalo along the river.
Hot and dry, with some of the most dramatic wildlife viewing of the year.
Short rains begin and the landscape starts to turn green.
Green scenery and active birdlife, with fewer visitors.
Explore the area
Discover the different faces of Ruaha.
Rivers, baobab-studded hills and miombo woodland give Ruaha its varied landscapes.
Eastern RuahaGreat Ruaha RiverThe park's lifeline, where elephants, lions, crocodiles and hippos gather along the riverbanks.
Central RuahaMwagusi Sand RiverA seasonal sand river where elephants dig for water and predators hunt in the dry season.
Southern RuahaJongomeroA remote and rarely visited area with a true sense of wilderness.
Western RuahaMiombo WoodlandWoodland home to sable and roan antelope and a rich variety of birds.
Wildlife
Where East and Southern Africa meet.
Ruaha is rich in plant and animal species, as several rivers crisscross the park and where there is water there is wildlife: giraffes, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, zebras, warthogs, elephants, topi and hyenas, to name a few.
Because Ruaha sits where East and Southern African habitats meet, species such as greater and lesser kudu, sable and roan antelope can be seen alongside classic savanna wildlife, making it one of the most diverse parks in Africa.
12 animals to look for
Lion
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Along the Great Ruaha River and sand rivers
Ruaha is home to more than 10% of Africa's wild lions, with large prides often seen hunting buffalo and giraffe.
1 / 12
Elephant
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Great Ruaha River and Mwagusi sand river
Large herds gather along the rivers, digging for water in the dry riverbeds.
2 / 12
Greater kudu
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Thickets and woodland near the rivers
The park's emblem, with magnificent spiralling horns.
3 / 12
African wild dog
Chance of seeingOccasional
Where to look: Open woodland and riverine areas
One of the world's largest populations of these endangered painted dogs lives here.
4 / 12
Leopard
Chance of seeingOccasional
Where to look: Riverine woodland and rocky hills
Ruaha has a healthy leopard population, often seen in trees along the rivers.
5 / 12
Cheetah
Chance of seeingOccasional
Where to look: Open grassland in the north of the park
Seen on the more open plains, especially in the dry season.
6 / 12
Buffalo
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Riverbanks and woodland
Herds come to drink along the rivers in the dry season.
7 / 12
Giraffe
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Woodland throughout the park
Masai giraffes are common, and a favourite prey of Ruaha's lions.
8 / 12
Hippo
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Pools in the Great Ruaha River
Large pods crowd the deeper pools of the river.
9 / 12
Crocodile
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Great Ruaha River
Big Nile crocodiles bask on the riverbanks.
10 / 12
Sable antelope
Chance of seeingRare
Where to look: Miombo woodland in the west
A rare and striking antelope with sweeping horns.
11 / 12
Spotted hyena
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Throughout the park
Common, often seen near kills or at dawn and dusk.
12 / 12
Predator Paradise
Where lions rule the riverbanks.
Ruaha is one of the best places in Africa to watch predators. Large lion prides hunt buffalo and even giraffe, leopards rest in the trees along the rivers, and packs of painted dogs roam the woodland.
With so few vehicles in the park, sightings feel private and unhurried. Everything in this magnificent park is eye-catching, alluring and breathtaking.
Safaris to 中文
Ruaha safaris
Itineraries that include Ruaha, often combined with Nyerere or Mikumi on a southern circuit safari.
Tanzania · 7 days
7-Day Southern Circuit: Mikumi, Udzungwa & Ruaha
Mikumi · Udzungwa · Ruaha
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 8 days
8-Day Southern Circuit: Mikumi, Ruaha & Selous
Nyerere · Mikumi · Ruaha
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 14 days
14-Day Southern Circuit: Selous, Ruaha & Zanzibar
Nyerere · Ruaha · Zanzibar
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 13 days
13-Day Southern Circuit: Selous, Mikumi, Udzungwa & Ruaha
Nyerere · Mikumi · Ruaha
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 8 days
8-Day Southern Circuit: Selous & Ruaha
Nyerere · Ruaha
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
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Usually replies within minutesHeritage
The story behind Ruaha.
The Ruaha area is the traditional homeland of the Hehe people, whose chief Mkwawa famously resisted German colonial forces in the 1890s. The name of the park comes from the Hehe word Luvaha, meaning great.
The area was first protected as part of the Saba Game Reserve in 1910, before becoming Ruaha National Park in 1964. In 2008 the park was expanded with the addition of the Usangu Game Reserve and other land, protecting vital wetlands and catchments.
Is Ruaha worth visiting?
Yes. Ruaha offers outstanding wildlife, especially lions, elephants and wild dogs, with very few vehicles and a true wilderness feel.
How many days should I spend in Ruaha?
At least three nights is recommended, as the park is large and remote. Many travellers combine Ruaha with Nyerere for a week or more.
When is the best time to visit Ruaha?
June to October, when wildlife concentrates along the rivers. The green season from January to March is excellent for birders.
How do I get to Ruaha?
Most visitors fly in by light aircraft. Driving is possible via Iringa, but it is a long journey from Dar es Salaam.
What animals can I see in Ruaha?
Lions, elephants, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, greater kudu, sable antelope, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles and more.
Can Ruaha be combined with other parks?
Yes. Ruaha is often combined with Nyerere National Park or Mikumi on a southern circuit safari, or with Zanzibar for a beach finish.
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