Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park
Covering over 20,000 square kilometers of rugged wilderness in southern Tanzania, Ruaha National Park is renowned for its vast elephant herds, giant lion prides, and iconic Great Ruaha River landscape.
▶ ENQUIRE ABOUT THIS PARK- • African Elephant
- • Lion
- • Leopard
- • Cheetah
GENERAL OVERVIEW
Originally designated as part of the German Saba Game Reserve in 1910 and declared a national park in 1964, Ruaha National Park protects 20,226 square kilometers of vast, undeveloped wilderness in southern Tanzania. The park forms the heart of a broader 45,000 km² ecosystem that includes the Rungwa, Kizigo, and Muhesi game reserves. Named after the Great Ruaha River flowing along its southeastern border, the park is an ecological transition zone where eastern acacia savannah meets southern miombo woodland. This unique habitat confluence supports extraordinary biodiversity, including the largest elephant population in East Africa, vast lion prides, and rare antelopes such as both greater and lesser kudu. Rich in conservation history, Ruaha remains one of Africa’s premier remote wilderness sanctuaries.
SIZE
Ruaha National Park is 20,226 square kilometers (km²) in size.
Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity), Tanzania Tourist Visa, Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate (if traveling from or through endemic zones), TANAPA park permit paid via cashless card/GePG payment gateway.
- Driving in the park is permitted between 06:30 AM and 07:00 PM; night driving is strictly forbidden without official booking.
- Maintain a maximum speed limit of 50 km/h on main park roads and 25 km/h on side tracks.
- Off-track driving is strictly prohibited to preserve fragile miombo woodland and soil structures.
- Always give wildlife the absolute right of way.
- Do not leave your vehicle except at officially designated picnic sites or lodges.
- Guided walking safaris must be accompanied by an official armed TANAPA ranger.
- Feeding, teasing, or calling out to wild animals is strictly forbidden.
- Maintain a safe viewing distance of at least 25 meters from wild animals.
- Littering and plastic waste dumping are strictly illegal; carry all trash out.
- Drones are prohibited without express written authorization from TANAPA and authority boards.
HOW TO GET THERE
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By Air: Scheduled or charter domestic flights fly from Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Selous/Nyerere, or Zanzibar into Msembe Airstrip or Jongomero Airstrip inside the park (approx. 1.5 to 2 hours flight time).
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By Road: A 2-to-3-hour drive (approx. 130 km) from Iringa town along an unpaved road, or a 9-to-10-hour overland journey from Dar es Salaam.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Best time to visit Ruaha National Park: June to October (Dry Season for predator action and riverbank game viewing) & November to March (Green Season for birding and vibrant scenery)
WILDLIFE & LANDSCAPE
RUAHA NATIONAL PARK GALLERY
POINTS OF INTEREST
FAQS
TRIPADVISOR REVIEWS
Contact Esteemed Africa Safaris to book your dream Ruaha National Park safari holiday. Start your tour from major cities or coastal beaches and explore our premium national parks, game reserves, and private wildlife conservancies across East Africa.
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