Ruaha National Park
Description: Ruaha National Park is the second largest National Park in Tanzania. The Great Ruaha River fascinates with its variety of mammals and birds coming to drink. This is one of Tanzania’s least accessible parks and as a result it is relatively untouched. Ruaha is known for its large elephant and buffalo herds and one of its principal attractions lies in being able to see greater and lesser kudu as well as the majestic sable and roan antelope within the same area. As well as an abundance of lion, leopard and cheetah it is also home to the increasingly rare wild dog.
Location: Southern Central Tanzania, reached by flight from Arusha or Dar es Salaam. Works nicely with a visit to Selous
Things 2 Do: Game Drives, Walking Safaris
Time: Given the distance, spend at least 3 nights. Best during the dry season.
Animals: All the usual: Elephants, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard and Cheetah. Some of the unusual: Sable and Roan Antelope and Wild Dogs.
Accommodations
$$$$
Mdonya Old River Camp
Ruaha River Lodge
$$$$$
Kwihala Camp
Jongomero
Kigelia Camp (seasonal)
Mwagusi Safari Camp
“Excellent staff. Casey was extremely responsive in planning the trip. I had certain things I did and didn’t want to do, he tailored our experience accordingly (and with keeping our budget in mind). The trip was perfectly proportioned, mostly because of him. Our guide on the ground, Wilfred, spent 12 days with us. We couldn’t have asked for someone better. We became comfortable companions, easily sitting together in silence over long drives or telling stories during dinner. He didn’t wait for us to ask something, he anticipated our needs. When he saw we didn’t finish our lunch boxes, he asked us what we liked and didn’t like. He made sure to relay the information to the hotels and we finished out lunches going forward. He saw I had an itch to get into the Wildebeest migration. Even though it was far away and our chances of finding it could be small, he made sure it happened. The staff set everything apart, especially when we compared it to our tour companies we saw in the area.”