Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park is a true wilderness gem in central Tanzania, offering one of the most authentic and uncrowded safari experiences in East Africa. It’s Tanzania’s second-largest park and a stronghold for elephants, lions, leopards, and other iconic species. The park is named after the Great Ruaha River, which supports rich wildlife during the dry season when animals gather at remaining water sources. Visitors are treated to vast savannahs, dramatic rocky outcrops, and stunning baobab trees that dot the landscape. With a mix of southern and eastern African wildlife, Ruaha is ideal for serious safari-goers and photographers.

• Home to one of Africa’s largest lion populations
• Features over 10,000 elephants during peak season
• Best visited during the dry season (June–October)
• Offers a mix of southern and eastern African ecosystems
• Less visited than northern parks, offering solitude and intimacy

• Game drives through vast baobab and acacia-dotted landscapes
• Walking safaris with armed guides
• Bird watching with over 570 species recorded
• Photography of predators, elephants, and dramatic scenery
• Visit the Great Ruaha River during dry season for wildlife concentrations

• Location: Central Tanzania
• Travel: Best accessed by domestic flights from Dar es Salaam, Arusha, or Zanzibar
• Nearest airstrip: Msembe Airstrip

• Elephants and large prides of lions
• Leopards, cheetahs, and spotted hyenas
• Greater and lesser kudu, sable, and roan antelope
• Crocodiles and hippos in the Ruaha River
• Over 570 bird species including raptors and bee-eaters