Ruaha National Park

Inaccessibility in the past makes it one of Tanzania’s best kept secrets and has ensured that it is virtually unchanged for centuries. Covering 10,300 sq km Ruaha is Tanzania’s largest elephant sanctuary, deriving its name from the Great Ruaha River which flows through its eastern border, creating spectacular gorges.

Ruaha national park is one of the few Tanzania’s famous wilderness area where one can have a rare experience of game viewing spiced up by the fascinating landscape. The park is rich of plants and animals such as Greater Kudu (Tragelaphusstrepsiceros) which can not be found in any other national park. Animals such as East African cheetah and lion, African leopard and wild dog, spotted hyena, giraffe, hippopotamus, African buffalo, and sable antelope also make popular sightings. The park name is derived from the Great Ruaha River that flows through the park providing some excellent and permanent tented camps.

The Great Ruaha is home to hippo and crocodile; waterbuck, reedbuck and buffalo venture to the river’s edge to drink attracting the attention of lion, leopard, hyena, wild dog and jackal. (A 10 hour drive or 90 minute flight from Dar es Salaam)