One of the last great places to experience a truly wild safari, Ruaha is a favorite of many seasoned safari-goers for its seemingly untouched wilderness, density of animals and excellent self-drive options. Ruaha sits uniquely at the intersection of the Eastern acacia savannah and the Southern miombo woodlands, which allows for an unparalleled diversity of plants and animals, including a large population of lions, elephants, buffalos, antelope, and the park’ emblematic greater kudu. The lifeblood of the park, the Great Ruaha River provides sustenance to the residents and great game spotting for visitors.
Fast Facts
Where
Located in south-central Tanzania, Ruaha is best accessed from Iringa. Ruaha can also be built into a longer multi-park tour of the southern circuit.
Group Size
Standard safari size is a maximum of 6 people.
Budget
150$ per day
Duration
3-4 days
Pro's
A rugged, wild landscape and comparatively low tourist traffic make this park an explorer’s dream
Ruaha homes a large diversity and density of animals, including some such as the roan antelope and kudu, which can be hard to spot in other parks. Ruaha is also known for its big-name residents like elephants, buffalo, lions and leopards.
Almost half of all the birds in Tanzania can be seen in Ruaha
Both designated campsites and special campsites are available for self-driving groups for moderate prices.
Con's
While technically open year-round, this park is largely, if not completely, inaccessible during rainy season.
Flights into the park are available, though expensive. Less expensive (though not budget) flights will drop you in Iringa. Alternatively, a drive from Dar will take about 9+ hours.
Helpful advice
Bring all your standard safari gear, insect repellent, camera, spare batteries, hat and binoculars if you have them. Most operators will likely be able to arrange transport from Dar, but if you’re looking to save money consider taking the bus from Dar to Iringa and getting picked up from there. For those looking to camp and/or self-drive, be sure to come prepared with all necessary food and safety equipment, as you won’t be able to get anything there. Know that you are camping in the wild, so take the necessary precautions and properly clean up and dispose of all your food and waste. Roads are marked but can be difficult to navigate, so consider downloading an offline GPS, such as Tracks4Africa.
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