Ruaha

Lying in central Tanzania’s hinterland, Ruaha National Park regularly tops safari aficionados’ lists of their favourite destinations; offering a true wilderness experience with some of Tanzania’s best game viewing. It is the largest national park in the country with impressive big cat populations, wild dog and vast herds of elephants; it is the perfect option for getting off the beaten track.

To start planning your tailor-made holiday, call us on (646) 934-8870

Often overlooked in favour of the more well-known parks in the north of Tanzania, Ruaha is Tanzania’s largest national park and more than holds its own in the safari stakes. Elephants are prolific as are predators with cheetah, lion, leopard and wild dog all seen hunting regularly. Birders will also be delighted with the best part of 600 species to spot.

Ruaha is traversed by the Great Ruaha River, from which it gets its name which is a magnet for game, particularly those elephant herds. Ruaha is marked out as a diverse landscape with open plains punctuated by rolling hills and rocky escarpments. There is a low density of camps and they are nicely spread out from each other; only adding to the wilderness experience. Given how few camps there are, how large the park is and the impressive game viewing there can be few better spots in Tanzania for such an exclusive and rewarding safari.

Our recent photo competition was won by Dave Cox, for his incredible picture of a stand-off between a lion and a herd of buffalo. Him and his wife Jenny spent two weeks on safari in Ruaha. Here Jenny tells us all about their experience getting off the beaten track in one of Africa’s great wilderness areas.

Dave Cox


To start planning your tailor-made holiday, call us on (646) 934-8870

Ruaha, Tanzania

Jongomero is a remote stylish tented camp located in southern Tanzania's magnificently wild Ruaha National Park. Jongomero offers superb service and a true African bush adventure, with excellent guiding and myriad animals visiting its riverside location.

Jongomero

Ruaha, Tanzania

Kwihala is a safari camp that a superb wilderness location in southern Tanzania’s Ruaha National Park. Combining chic refuge with authentic bush experience, Kwihala is quite superb, and the guiding and game viewing are simply phenomenal.

Kwihala Camp

Ruaha, Tanzania

Mdonya Old River Camp is a simple but comfortable tented safari bush camp set deep in southern Tanzania’s magnificent Ruaha National Park. Mdonya Old River Camp offers a truly authentic bush safari, in a sensational location for game viewing.

Mdonya Old River Camp

Ruaha National Park, Tanzania

Located in the heart of Ruaha National Park, Ikuka Safari Camp is a small luxury tented camp set high up on the Ikuka Escapement with incredible views overlooking the open plains and forest below.

Ikuka Safari Camp

Ruaha, Tanzania

Jabali Ridge sits high on a rocky kopje surrounded by remarkable landscape filled with flora and fauna, spiky palms and baobab trees. With only a handful of visitor’s exploring Ruaha at any time you feel as if you have the wilderness to yourself.

Jabali Ridge

Ruaha, Tanzania

One of Tanzania's remotest camps, Kichaka is a simple but outstanding mobile operation in the Ruaha. Kichaka overcomes the restriction of a permanent camp by moving freely a couple of times a year to give you the best experience all year around.

Kichaka Mobile Bush Camp

Ruaha, Tanzania

Kigelia Ruaha is an intimate well-run tented safari camp on the banks of the Ifuguru River in Ruaha National Park, Tanzania. Kigelia Ruaha can be booked on an exclusive basis so is great for families or groups, with elephants often visiting the camp.

Kigelia Ruaha

Ruaha, Tanzania

Ruaha River Lodge is set on one of the most stunning stretches of the Great Ruaha River. Here you can see game throughout the day from the comfort of your veranda.

Ruaha River Lodge

;

For a new flat rate cost of $354 per day per vehicle, guests are free to choose their own itinerary at Siwandu and Jongomero, Tanzania. Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability.

Private Vehicle Hire

Stay for three nights and pay for two, or stay for four nights and pay for three at Ikuka until March 2018. Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability.

Stay 3, pay 2 at Ikuka

Stay for 4 nights, pay for 3 in southern Tanzania until 31st March 2018. Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability.

Stay 4, pay 3 in Tanzania

;

Ruaha, Tanzania

Game drives in Ruaha National Park show off this area's remote, wild, and diverse nature. Head out early in the morning and in the late afternoon when wildlife is most active, or you can even choose to take a full day's drive.

Game drives in Ruaha National Park

Ruaha, Tanzania

Night drives are a great way of seeing nocturnal wildlife and predators when they're more active. You'll head out with your guide and a spotlight either at the end of your afternoon game drive, or after an early dinner.

Night drives in Ruaha National Park

Ruaha, Tanzania

A great way to experience the bush at night is by fly camping, you'll have a private camp set up for you under a canopy of stars so you can sleep out within the bush.

Flycamping in Ruaha National Park

Ruaha, Tanzania

Ruaha National Park is an exceptional destination for a walking safari. This is an unforgettable experience where you'll encounter a different perspective of the African bush, getting much closer to the nature and wildlife.

Walking safaris in Ruaha National Park

;