Ruaha National Park
In 2008 the Usangu Game reserve merged its borders with Ruaha transforming it into Tanzania’s largest national park; it now covers more than 20,000km². Despite the size of the park there are still only a handful of camps found here, which has built Ruaha’s reputation as Tanzania’s best kept game viewing secret. Ruaha’s wild and untrammelled feel is what sets it apart from other reserves, making it a popular choice for regular east African safarigoers.
Ruaha is well known for its varied dramatic scenery, which includes rolling hills; large open plains; groves of skeletal baobabs and along its southern border, the Great Ruaha River, from which the park gets its name.
This is by far the most dominant geographical feature of the national park and, for the wildlife it is the most important. Ruaha has a hot, dry climate which means the animals don’t tend to stray too far from dependable water sources. This makes predicating game movements far easier particularly in the dry season.
Safari Lodge
Kwihala Camp
Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
Kwihala is set deep in the bush of Ruaha National Park. It’s the largest national park in Tanzania, with plentiful wildlife, yet it feels remote and peaceful, with fewer visitors than other parks.
These classic, expedition-style six-tent camp offers an intimate, exclusive safari experience in this vast land of towering baobabs and dense forests.
Head out on game drives to see elephants, the largest population in Tanzania is located here, and lions, known for hunting giraffes, buffalo and even elephants. On foot, discover the smaller inhabitants of the bush and learn how to identify animal prints and dung. At night, venture out with a spotlight to find nocturnal animals like bush babies and hyenas.
Safari Lodge
Jabali Ridge
Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
Jabali Ridge is a stylish camp in the wildlife-rich Ruaha National Park, set on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Mwagusi River and Ikuka escarpment.
A landscape of sun-bleached plains, mighty baobabs and hardy shrubs, Ruaha is home to large numbers of lion, elephant, buffalo and even endangered African wild dogs. During the rainy season, visitors can hear the incredible thundering of the Ikuka waterfalls and even witness the Mwagusi beginning to flow after being dry for seven months.
The dry season is equally exciting, with opportunities to spot buffalo herds in the riverbed and elephants digging in the sand for water.