Ruaha national park

Ruaha national park is the largest national park in Tanzania located in the Southern part of the country. The park covers a total land area of 13,000 square kilometers, its located around the famous South tourist circuit. The South tourist circuit covers largest game reserve that is Selous, Ruaha national park, Gombe stream and other national parks in the South. The size of the park enlarged after the addition of Usangu Game reserve and other important and remarkable wetlands in the area. After this additions in 2008 the size of the park almost doubled from 13,000 square kilometers to 20,226 square kilometers. Ruaha national park is not only the largest national park in Tanzania but entire East African region.

Ruaha national park was established in 1964 and its being governed by the Tanzania National Parks Authority. This park is part of the 45,000 square kilometers that form the Rungwa-Kizigo-Muhesi ecosystem. The ecosystem is formed by the Rugwa Game Reserve, Muhensi game reserve, Kizigo game reserve and the famous Mbomipa wildlife Management Area.

The park was named after the great Ruaha River that drains the entire national park. It’s the only source of water for the wildlife and the local community. The Ruaha River flows to the South following its Southeastern margins. This is the key area where game viewing as well as birding is highly done in the park throughout the year. The park was first gazette as Saba Game reserve by the colonial masters German in 1910. After the colonial masters the British came and renamed it as Rungwa Game reserve in 1946.  In 1964 starting from one sector of the park in the South, it was elevated to the status of the national park.

The Ruaha national park is popular for its large herds of Elephants, in 2009 the ecosystem of Ruaha-Rungwa had over 34,000 Elephants. The park has got four members of African Big five only missing the Rhinos. The available members of the African big five include: Lions, Buffaloes, Leopards and Elephants. The park in habits more rare species of Antelopes like Lesser Kudu, Sable Antelope, Roan, Greater Kudu, Gazelles, Giraffes, Topis, zebras, wildebeest and others. The park is also known for the great number of the rare African Wild Dogs that are in large numbers. Hyenas, jackals, Cheetahs, fox and many more hunters. Ruaha national park is also famous with the big cat and predator population. The park hosts 10% of the total world population of lions. It habits the third largest population of African world Dogs in the world.

Birders also enjoy over 571 bird species that can be spotted at the park. Birding can be done any time of the year at this park since most of the bird species are permanent residents.

Location of Ruaha national park/ how to get to Ruaha national park

Ruaha national park is located in the West of the famous and largest game reserve in Africa that is Selous Game Reserve. It lies in the central part of Tanzania in the middle of the country. The park is found 130 kilometers away from the nearest town Iringa. If your from Dar es Salaam the park is located 625 kilometers away from the busy town. Due to such great distance of the park from the busy towns it has made it one of the least visited national park in the Area. How ever the roads that lead to the park are very good and can be accessed throughout the year. Alternatively one can also use chattered flights from any of the domestic airports across Tanzania like Arusha, Dodoma, Msembe, Kigoma and Jongomero.  You will land to any of the airstrips that are found inside the park.

Attractions in Ruaha national park

Animals

Ruaha national park is one of the gifted national parks in Tanzania, located in the center of the country. Its popularity is based on the great population of different animal species globally. The park has 10% of the total population of Lions in the world. It also has the greatest concentration of Elephants not only in Tanzania but entire East African region. It’s a home of the four members of the African Big Five only missing Rhinos. Other animals include:  Kudu, Sable Antelope, Roan, Greater Kudu, Gazelles, Giraffes, Topis, zebras, Hippos, Elands, Bat Eared Foxes, Impala, wildebeest and others. The game viewing is much remarkable at this park since the animals are easily viewed any time of the year. The best time of enjoying great animal viewing is during the dry season from June to October and then from December to February. The distance of the park from the great towns has made it one of the least visited national parks in Tanzania.

Birds

Ruaha national park boosts for the high population of bird species in Tanzania with over 571 bird species recorded. The park is also hosts some immigrants from Africa and outside Africa. The most sited birds are: Secretary bird, Ruaha red-billed hornbill, lovebirds, superb starlings,  Crested barbet, pale-billed hornbill, turaco, Racket roller, plover, Bee-eaters, Egret, Green-wood hoopes, King fishers, Violet-crested turaco, and many more

Birding can be done throughout the year though the best time is during the rainy season from March to May and November when the birds are breeding. Its during this period that the park also receives the migratory birds across the world.

Cultural and historical sites

Ruaha national park has got a good number of Historical and cultural sites that are located inside the park. This has attracted more researchers and other learning tourists who wish to learn m ore about the culture and history of African man. There are also many local indigenous tribes that are found near the park which give great cultural entertainment of the visitors during their visit to the park

The greatest history of the area is about the brave Chief of the Hehe people Chief Mkwawa who resisted against the German colonial rule. Till date after the successful battle against the Germans by the Hehe tribe the tribe is more popular in the central part of Tanzania. The cengtral is much more reach with history from the time of the Arab caravans, explores like Speke and Burton all passed through this area.

Natural springs

The park is close to the base of the Great Rift valley which left more underground springs formed during the occurrence of the volcanic activity. The travelers always come and view the great powers of nature as they wonder how the springs were formed. The most noted springs at the park are: Makinde Springs, Mjwawa springs, Majimoto springs and Mwayembe springs. These awter springs also act as source of water for the animals during the dry season.