Great Ruaha River
The heart of the park in the dry season, with hippos, crocodiles and herds coming to drink.
Ruaha National Park
Wild, remote and full of predators
- Best time
- June – October (dry season)
- Recommended stay
- 3 – 4 days
- Nearest airport
- Msembe Airstrip
- Main attraction
- Big lion prides & wild landscapes
About Ruaha
Ruaha is one of the largest national parks in Africa and part of a vast wilderness in southern Tanzania. The Great Ruaha River is its lifeline, drawing elephants, buffalo and antelope in the dry season.
It is known for big lion prides, good chances of African wild dog and both greater and lesser kudu. Because it is remote, you share sightings with very few other vehicles.
- Size
- ≈ 20,200 km²
- Region
- Iringa
- Flight from Dar
- ≈ 2 h
What makes it special
Baobab hills
Rocky hills covered in giant baobabs, typical of the Ruaha landscape.
Mwagusi sand river
A seasonal river bed that is excellent for predators.
What you can see and do
- Lion
- Leopard
- Cheetah
- African wild dog
- Elephant
- Greater kudu
- Lesser kudu
- Sable antelope
- Roan antelope
- Hippo
Game drives
Walking safaris
Fly-in safaris
When to go
June – October (dry season)
- January: Rainy / low season
- February: Rainy / low season
- March: Rainy / low season
- April: Rainy / low season
- May: Rainy / low season
- June: Best
- July: Best
- August: Best
- September: Best
- October: Best
- November: Good
- December: Rainy / low season
- Best
- Good
- Rainy / low season
Recommended stay: 3 – 4 days
Getting there
By air: scheduled flights from Dar es Salaam and Nyerere to Msembe airstrip.
By road: about 2 hours from Iringa town, or a full day from Dar es Salaam.
Nearest airports & airstrips
- Msembe AirstripInside the park
- Julius Nyerere International AirportDAR
Where to stay
Tented camps and lodges along the river, from mid-range to luxury.
Entry and conservation fees
| Fee | Amount (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation fee — adult non-resident | On request | Rate on request (+18% VAT) |
| Vehicle entry fee | On request | Rate on request |
Park fees are included in SASU Tours packages. Current official rates are confirmed in your quotation.
Park and conservation fees are set by TANAPA, NCAA and the Zanzibar authorities and can change. Figures shown are indicative; your quotation always uses the current official rates.
Ruaha in pictures
Tours & safaris
Packages that visit Ruaha
Wildlife Safaris
Southern Safari: Nyerere & Ruaha
Dar es Salaam · Nyerere · Ruaha
- Boat safari
- Walking safari
- Fly-in
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