Covering an area of 13,000 square km, Ruaha National Park is the largest national park in Tanzania. A big draw to the park is the all-embracing and vast ecosystem which includes Usangu Game Reserve, Rungwa Game Reserve and several other protected areas.

The park got its name from the great Ruaha River. The river is the main focus of game viewing for the visitors as a huge number of animals gather in the shore for drinking water.

The vegetation of the park is semi-arid including baobab trees, Acacia and other species. Almost 1,650 different types of plant species have been recorded.

Ruaha is home to a high concentration of elephants than any National Park in East Africa. The magnificent mammals like Kudu, Sable and Roan antelopes can easily be spotted in Miombo woodland. The wild dogs are the star attraction of the park.  For those who love to see predators, the park is a paradise. Noted are lions, leopards and cheetah. Other animals spotted here are giraffes, impala, zebras, bat eared foxes, elands, and Jackals.

Reptiles and amphibians such as crocodiles, poisonous and non-poisonous snakes, frogs, monitor lizards and agama lizards also call Ruaha their home.

Ruaha National Park also amuses the visitors with more than 571 species. Commonly spotted are African fish eagle, Ashy starling, Black-bellied bustard, Collared palm-thrush, Crested barbet, Eleonora’s falcon, Emerald-spotted wood dove, Goliath heron, Long-crested eagle, Namaqua dove, Southern ground hornbill, Tanzanian red-billed hornbill and many more.

Wildlife Highlights

The magnificent mammals like elephant, Kudu, Sable and Roan antelopes can easily be spotted in Miombo woodland. The wild dogs are the star attraction of the park. In predators lions, leopards and cheetah are common. Other animals spotted here are giraffes, impala, zebras, bat eared foxes, elands, and Jackals.

Ruaha National Park also amuses the visitors with more than 571 species. Commonly spotted are African fish eagle, Ashy starling, Black-bellied bustard, Collared palm-thrush, Crested barbet, Eleonora’s falcon, Emerald-spotted wood dove, Goliath heron, Long-crested eagle, Namaqua dove, Southern ground hornbill, Tanzanian red-billed hornbill and many more.

Best Time to Visit
Although all-round the year is good for game viewing, the dry season is the best (June to October). 
From June to October, expect to see animals gathered near the dominating Ruaha River, the only source of life in the park.