Best Self Drive Guide to Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park Safari: Ruaha National Park is regarded as the second largest national park in Tanzania and East Africa, located in the southern portion of Tanzania, approximately 130 km west of Iringa. Ruaha National Park derives its name from the Great Ruaha River, regarded as the primary tourist attraction inside the park, which flows through its southeastern region, where numerous species are frequently observed.
Methods for accessing Ruaha National Park.
Tourists intending to visit Ruaha National Park may utilise either road or air transportation to approach the park.
By Road
Consequently, those who choose road transport can seize opportunities for extended journeys while traversing the country’s picturesque landscapes and appreciating the scenic views of rural regions. They may also pause in locations such as Iringa and Morogoro, where they can engage with the local populace. The car journeys typically encompass a distance of approximately 625 kilometres from Dar es Salaam, taking around 9 hours. Subsequently, they can drive around 130 km from Iringa to enter the park.
By Air
Individuals wishing to avoid lengthy journeys and enter the park swiftly may opt to arrange flights from the local airstrips at Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Serengeti, Dodoma, or Kigoma.
Optimal time to visit Ruaha National Park.
Tourists are consistently recommended to visit Ruaha National Park during the dry season, which spans from June to October and from mid-December to March. This season is regarded as the optimal time due to minimal rainfall and consistently short grass vegetation, which hinders animal concealment, hence facilitating travellers in obtaining unobstructed views of several attractions inside the park.
Activities at Ruaha National Park.
Exploring Ruaha National Park offers individuals exceptional opportunity to engage in various activities, allowing them to acquire new experiences and forge lasting memories. Some of these activities include: Game drives typically occur in various sessions, including morning, afternoon, and evening, with the morning being the most advantageous time due to heightened animal activity as they emerge from concealment in search of food. During their leisure time, visitors may choose to participate in guided nature walks, allowing them to engage more intimately with the park’s remarkable natural environment and observe numerous wildlife species. These walks are always conducted with a park guide, whose responsibility is to navigate the trails and ensure the safety of both participants and wildlife.
Additionally, tourists may opt for community visits and cultural experiences, wildlife observation, as this park hosts numerous animal species, including zebras, elands, giraffes, cheetahs, leopards, bat-eared foxes, crocodiles, jackals, and snakes, as well as birdwatching, photography opportunities, and hot air balloon safaris, which provide an exceptional vantage point for capturing panoramic views of the park and its wilderness from the sky, with a recommended fee of approximately 550 USD per person.
Accommodations in Ruaha National Park.
Ruaha National Park has numerous hotel options that are consistently available for travellers wishing to stay after a full day of seeing the park. These accommodation facilities are categorised into budget, mid-range, and luxury options, so assisting guests in selecting accommodations that align with their financial constraints and preferences. Consequently, some of these accommodations comprise Ruaha River Lodge, Ruaha Hill View Lodge, Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge, Paradise Eco Club, Kwihala Camp, Nomad Kigelia Camp, among others.
Contact our reputable tour operators for further details on a Tanzania safari in Ruaha National Park and book with our travel companies, such as All Tanzania Safaris, which provide exceptional tour packages for your safari.