Ruaha National Park
Overview
Are you aware that the southern circuit of Tanzania has got attractive destinations? Trust me this destination is bigger than you think and attractive in nature. Explore in this beautiful wilderness of Ruaha National Park found in Iringa region, an amazing park that inhabits plenty of lions and elephants. For your information this scenery is less crowded hence giving you ample time to search and enjoy your safari.
It was in 1910 when the German introduced it as Saba Game Reserve then in 1946 the name was changed by British to Rungwa Game Reserve. More over the southern portion of the game reserve was gazetted as a national park in 1946. The name Ruaha originates from the Hehe word Ruvaha meaning River. The addition of Usangu game reserve and other important wetlands in Usangu basin were annexed in the park making a total land area of 20,226km2. The total area around makes the park one of the largest in East Africa.
Physical Features
The park has a wide number of physical features which include the Great Rift Valley, rivers and natural springs. The rivers around are; the great ruaha river, Mdonya, Mwagusi, Mzombe and Jongomero also the natural spring are Mkwawa, Mwanyembe, Makinda and Majimoto.
Wildlife
The park is a home to variety of mammals, reptiles, amphibians as well as various plants and bird species.
This attractive scenery inhabits reptiles like crocodiles, snakes, lizards and frogs which can be found in Mzombe and Ruaha River. Also large animals like elephants, lions, kudu, sable, antelopes, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, zebra, elands, impala and jackals are available.
More over the guests interested with bird watching this is the best sanctuary for them. There are about 571 recorded bird species with a mix of southern and northern species whereby some of the birds live permanently and some are migratory birds.
Why visit Ruaha
It is the best place in East Africa to encounter the endangered species like wild dogs. Also it is a scenery that does not get crowded by people instead it is crowded by game that will make you explore, learn and experience the greatness of nature in broader terms.
How to get there
- By road, the park is situated 130km from Iringa town which makes it easier to reach the destination by car and the roads are passable all year round.
- By Air, there are chartered flights from Arusha, Kigoma, Dar Es Salaam and Dodoma which will transfer you safely to Mgembe airstrip found in the park
Activities
- Game driving, you will enjoy the day game drive and the night game drive and this depends on your choice. The aim of the game drive intends to ensure safety in the wilderness and proper spotting of large and medium animals, mostly the game drive is done using cars.
- Bird watching, this attractive destination hosts life for about 571 bird species so there is a wide range of seeing and learning more about the birds around.
- Walking safari, you will have a guided walk from the professional guides and a ranger where you can conduct a short or long walking safari up to 4hrs per day.
When to visit Ruaha
The area experiences dry season from the months of May to October and the wet season from November to April. This makes the best time to explore and see animals be May to October. More over the best time for bird watchers ranges from February to April when the park is rich in wildflowers and verdant grasslands.