Ruaha National Park

The mere largest national park in Tanzania and the second largest national park in Africa with the inclusion of Usangu game reserve and other important wetlands like Rungwa and Kizigo plus Muhosi game reserve and Mbomipa wildlife management area which all these areas make the park coverage total of 20226 kilometers square approximately to 7809miles square making it look the largest park in Tanzania and East Africa. Exclusive of the reserve areas from this park, it is then the second largest national park in Tanzania covering an area land of 10300 kilometers square making it the second from Serengeti and is a home to more than 456 spectacular bird species, more than 1650 plant species, greater concentration of elephants where the park is believed to have huge number of elephants than any other park in Tanzania. One of the most memorable sightings in Ruaha national park is the solitary greater kudu with the spiral horns and does of lateral white stripes allowing them to blend in with its bush surroundings in time of Ambush or fright. Animals like herds of giraffes, zebras, buffalos, sable, roan antelopes, and gazelles can easily be sighted or spotted in Miombo woodlands. The park is a home to endangered wild dogs; lizards, lions, elands, impala, leopards, Bart eared-foxes and jackals, and of course if lucky enough cheetahs can be sighted in Ruaha national park. This park got its name “Ruaha” from Great Ruaha River which crosses the park and this make it possible apart from sighting land large mammals and other land predators, hippos, crocodiles, snakes, monitor lizards, agama lizards and other reptiles are common sight in this park. The semi-arid type of vegetation marking the small Serengeti with huge plains of grassland, big baobab trees, Acacias, and other plant species to mention but a few characterizes the park. Being located in the southern part of the country, the park is not as frequently visited as those located in the northern safari zone making it the perfect location for people wanting to be off the beaten paths giving you more room to get a personalized safari experience of your life time.

Things to do in Ruaha National Park

A hidden gem in the Tanzania wilderness for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers, Ruaha national park has vast landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and abundant wildlife offering a superb and an ideal destination to immersive and unforgettable Tanzania safari experiences to engage on. You can explore different sightseeing activities while visiting this spectacular and remarkable destination in Tanzania. Here is the list of the best things to include during your visit to Ruaha National Park which will make your trip unforgettable as it will mark memories for life time in you.

Explore Ruaha national park on a traditional game drive and encounter vast wildlife in this spectacular nature park, Game drives here offers you an opportunity to get closer with the African wilderness and experience more wildlife with our expert guides during your Tanzania safari with Ifude tours Tanzania. Game viewing is spectacular in Ruaha national park with extraordinary wildlife encounters, experience vast animal special, spectacular landscapes and more than 580 species of birdlife such as African fish eagle, bateleurs, Eleanora’s falcon, emerald spotted wood dove, crested barbet, black billed bastard, long crested eagles, white billed go away bird and so much more that you are likely to spot during the game drive in the Ruaha national park. You will be able to come across great prides of lions, bushbucks, waterbucks, hartebeests, both lesser and greater kudus, huge elephants, trying to obtain water using their trunks and fore feet in the dry sandy river bed of the great Ruaha river, buffalos, beautiful black and white stripped Zebras, Maasai giraffes, black-backed jackals, wild dogs among many other animals that you will be able to encounter during game drive in the Ruaha national park. Ruaha national park offers a superb area for both day and night game drives and you will encounter as many animals as possible as lots of animal and other wildlife calls this park a home.

Walking safari in Ruaha national park provides you with opportunities to discover and explore the great wilderness of vast landscapes of the Ruaha national park, it gives you an opportunity to go on a game viewing safari on foot through various walking trails that will offer you an opportunity to encounter as many wildlife as possible during the walk for about two to three hours with a well-trained expert guide fully equipped to make sure that all the emergencies are handled with utmost care, this won’t be successful without an escort of a park range who will be around to make sure that everything goes as smooth as its needed to be for the desired completeness. On this nature walking safari you will be led to the untamed parts of the Ruaha national park to spot abundant wildlife including giraffes, Zebras, wildebeests, impalas, and abundant birdlife that calls this park a home while capturing some memorable photos of the nature that you will be able take them back home for memories.

Cultural tours and village visit around Ruaha national park is an amazing thing you can do when headed to this magnificent third largest park in Tanzania, it offers you an opportunity to visit some hehe people, Kalenga Museum which is located few kilometers away from Iringa town on the way to Ruaha national park with history of the hehe community leader (Chief Mkwawa) in colonial eras, the Museum contains the skull, personal effects, and other relics of Chief Mkwawa. Near Ruaha national park gate you will be able to visit the Maasai community and learn about their traditions, culture, and customs, here you will be able to visit their schools, and engage on a traditional dance and see a display of the beautiful handmade crafts in the village where if you wish you can buy their stuffs as a way to support their daily life expenses.

Visit to Isimila stone site is one of the add on that you can choose to include during your safari to Ruaha national park, this one of the most famous findings is the most unusual phenomena on earth. Isimila stone site is one of the most significant stone age sites with many-meter-high natural standing pillars located in Iringa region, a region in the highland areas of the southern Tanzania in the east Africa region. The site offers a superb past history and walking tour under these natural pillars following the natural seasonal river valleys giving you the moments that you can’t help wondering how nature was able to create such incredible things in this world. Isimila stone age site is famous for the valuable archeological findings that were discovered in this area and in place there is a museum where you will get a full explanation of the different stone tools that man who lived in the near areas has used in their daily life. This site will give you a chance to experience Tanzania in a perspective that many visitors do miss during their time in Tanzania.

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When to visit

Accessible all year round  though the best time to visit Ruaha National Park in Tanzania is during the dry season, which typically runs from June to October. During these months, the weather is cooler and there is less rainfall, making wildlife spotting easier as animals congregate around water sources. The dry season also offers more stable road conditions, which can be important for safari travel. If you prefer to see the park in its lush, green state and enjoy fewer crowds, the wet season from November to May is also a good option, though it can be more challenging for game viewing due to the dense vegetation and occasional road closures.

 

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