RUAHA NATIONAL PARK

The life-giving Great Ruaha River and other rivers that run through the park enhances the overall experience. Until recently, before the Nyerere National Park was established in 2019, the Ruaha National Park was Tanzania’s largest national park.

This park is home to an abundance of wildlife, set within a diverse and interesting landscape punctuated with gigantic baobab trees, rocky hills, open grass plains and miombo forest. Those who drive through the park gates, enter an untouched and vibrant natural world that defies imagination.

The Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) established the Ruaha National Park in 1964 and since then more areas adjacent to the park have systematically been incorporated. Ten years after it was established a section of land in the South Eastern part of the Great Ruaha River was joined and by 2008, an important wetland area around the Usangu Game Reserve was incorporated too. At the time, it was the largest national park in Tanzania, until 2019 when the Nyerere National Park (formerly the Selous Game Reserve) was proclaimed in the South. Today, at 20,226 km2 the Ruaha National Park is the second largest national park in Tanzania.

Although the Ruaha National Park was officially added to TANAPA’s portfolio of parks in 1964, its roots date back to 1910 when it was first proclaimed the Saba River Game Reserve by Germany. In 1946 the British government renamed it the Rungwa Game Reserve and in 1964, three years after Tanganyika got independence from Britain, the southeastern area of the Rungwa Game Reserve was elevated to national park status, changing its moniker once again, to Ruaha National Park. The name ‘Ruaha’ is derived from the Hehe word ‘Ruvaha’ which means ‘river’.

As one of the most remote tourist destinations in Tanzania, the Ruaha National Park is one of the least visited national parks. This, combined with its massive size, results in safaris that feel super-exclusive and all the more special with low numbers of game vehicle traffic. In contrast to popular and more iconic national parks or private concessions, it is rare to share your sightings with other vehicles, let alone queues for sightings. There are not many naturally wild places like this left in our world. The Ruaha has a flourishing eco-system that is pristine.

The wildlife experience in the Ruaha is magnificent and combined with the low number of annual visitors it is a spectacular safari destination, promising unhurried, uncrowded game viewing. The Ruaha National Park has the highest concentration of elephants in East Africa and is home to 10% of the world’s lion population. Rare antelope species can be found here include the greater and lesser kudu, roan, sable antelope, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, Topi, Southern and Bohor reedbuck. This park is the southernmost limit on the African continent where you will find lesser kudu and the Grant's Gazelle.

The best time to visit the Ruaha National Park is during the dry season from June to October. This coincides with the main safari season in East Africa. It is also relatively cooler during this time compared to the hotter months between December and March. With the bush less dense and grasslands receding, this time of the year it is excellent for spotting game, game viewing and photographing wildlife is much easier.

During November and December Ruaha usually enjoys its first rains after a long dry season. This signals the start of what is called the ‘short rains’. A few weeks after the first rains have fallen, the landscape dramatically changes. Depending on how much rain is received, new grasses, leaves and flowers may appear, painting the landscape in colour. This is also the time when we welcome nursery herds with hundreds of adorable, newborn skinny-limbed Impala calves.

Most camps in Ruaha will close for the duration of the long rainy season from mid-March to end May. The roads get muddy and difficult to navigate during the presence of rain and accessibility is often limited. From the first of June onwards camps reopen for the main ‘safari season’. During this time the rivers are in full flow and the bush will be green and lush.

The main gate of the Ruaha National Park is located in south-central Tanzania about 120 kilometres (75 miles) west of Iringa and 625 kilometres from Dar es Salaam. Jongomero Camp is located 70 kilometres (43 miles) from the main gate. The park forms part of the Rungwa-Kizigo-Muhesi ecosystem which includes the Rungwa Game Reserve, the Kizigo and Muhesi Game Reserve and the Mbomipa Wildlife Management Area.

In 2022 Jongomero Private Bush Manor opened its doors for the first time.

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Jongomero Private Bush Manor offers tranquillity amongst magnificent shaded trees, right on the banks of the scenic Jongomero sand river. Tucked away in a remote corner of the Ruaha National Park, some 40 kilometres (25 miles) from closest neighbours but super easy to access, just 10 minutes from the airstrip and 70 kilometres (43 miles) from the main gate.

We recommend you spend at least four nights at Jongomero in the Ruaha National Park. This will give you a good taste of all there is to experience in the area. If you have more time to spare you can take advantage of our special longer stay value added packages by staying for seven nights and only paying for five nights.

Combining the Ruaha National Park in the South of Tanzania with a land and water-based safari experience in the Nyerere National park is a popular choice for our guests.

The Ruaha National Park is a hidden gem tucked away in one of the most remote wilderness areas in Tanzania. It is the perfect safari destination for anyone who loves exploring places away from the crowds and into the heart of Africa. We invite you to step back into time and immerse yourself deep into the beauty of nature.