Ruaha National Park

• Tanzania’s 2nd largest park
• Wilderness paradise
• Fantastic game viewing

Situated in south-western Tanzania, Ruaha National Park is a huge animal sanctuary, only marginally smaller than the Serengeti. It stretches across 13 000 km² of impressive landscapes ranging from miombo woodland surrounding the Nzombe and Ruaha rivers to sweeping grassy plains, swamps and forests.

The park includes the Rungwa and Kisigo Game Reserves, but due to its inaccessible and remote location, it has not been traversed much by tourists and has therefore maintained its pristine wilderness atmosphere. It is though, one of the country’s best game reserves, and is home to 350 bird species and huge animal numbers.

The park is especially known as a refuge for elephants and large herds of the gentle behemoths roam the Ruaha. Other animals to look out for include large buffalo herds, antelope like kudu, sable and roan as well as predators like lion, leopard and cheetah. The numbers of the endangered African Wild Dog are also increasing steadily.

Special Features Include:

• Great Ruaha River
  The park takes its name from this huge watercourse flowing to the east of the park. The river is truly worth seeing, if only for the plunging gorges, exciting rapids and dramatic scenery. Where the river is calmer, fishing as well as boating are popular activities. At all times, the river is a good place to spot Ruaha’s plentiful game
  
• Isimila
  Situated west of the town of Iringa, is a an archaeological site that is worth a visit. Numerous bifacial tools, stone artifacts and bones have been found in an ancient dried-up riverbed, once a shallow lake. Isimila is considered to be a significant remnant of Acheulian culture in East Africa