Safari & Tours Info
Ruaha National Park is a national park in Tanzania. The addition of the Usangu Game Reserve and other important wetlands to the park in 2008 increased its size to about 20,226 km2 (7,809 sq mi).
The park is about 130 kilometres (81 mi) west of Iringa. The park is a part of the 45,000 square kilometres (17,000 sq mi) Rungwa-Kizigo-Muhesi ecosystem, which includes the Rungwa Game Reserve, the Kizigo and Muhesi Game Reserves, and the Mbomipa Wildlife Management Area.
The name of the park is derived from the Great Ruaha River, which flows along its southeastern margin and is the focus for game viewing. The park can be reached by car on a dirt road from Iringa, and there are two airstrips: Msembe airstrip at Msembe (park headquarters) and Jongomeru airstrip, near the Jongomeru Ranger Post.
Overview
Many birds and animals reside in the park. Visitors to this park have an excellent possibility of spotting Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Elephant, Rhino, as well as other plains game like Giraffe and Zebra. Since this park is less frequently visited, the animals have a tendency to be less accustomed to people, which makes a safari trip here feel more authentically African.
For bird lovers, the park and Selous Reserve together contain around 430 species of bird. Birds including Giant Kingfishers, Pink-backed Pelicans, White-fronted Bee-eaters, African Skimmers, Ibises, Yellow-billed storks, Purple-crested Turacos, Madagascar Squacco Herons, Fish Eagles, Hornbills, and many others can be seen here.
Ruaha National Park Highlights
- Boat safari along the mighty Rufiji River
- Game drive in Nyerere National Park