Central Tanzania
Ruaha National Park
Tanzania's Best-Kept Secret — Wild, Remote, and Untamed
Best Time
June–November (dry season, best wildlife concentrations along the river)
Park Fees
$53/person/day
UNESCO
No
Area
20,226 km²
Key Wildlife
Lion, Leopard, Cheetah
Field Notes
About Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park is Tanzania's largest national park at 20,226 km² — and one of Africa's most remote and untouched wilderness areas. Located in central Tanzania, far from the tourist circuits of the north, Ruaha receives a tiny fraction of the visitors that the Serengeti does, yet its wildlife numbers are extraordinary.
The Great Ruaha River is the park's lifeline, drawing wildlife in remarkable concentrations during the dry season. Ruaha has one of the largest elephant populations in East Africa, and its predator numbers are exceptional — it's home to approximately 10% of Africa's remaining lion population.
The park's landscapes are dramatic: baobab-dotted savanna, miombo woodland, rocky outcrops, and the winding Great Ruaha River with its resident hippos and crocodiles. The overlap of East and Southern African species means you'll see animals here that are found nowhere else in East Africa — greater and lesser kudu, sable antelope, and roan antelope.
Ruaha is the premier destination for walking safaris in Tanzania. Tracking wildlife on foot with an armed ranger through this vast wilderness is one of the most thrilling experiences Africa has to offer.
Itineraries
Safari Packages Including Ruaha National Park
Sightings
Wildlife Highlights
Logistics
Practical Information
Fly from Arusha or Dar es Salaam to Msembe Airstrip (1.5–2 hours). The park is too remote for practical road access from the northern circuit.
Field Q&A