Ruaha National Park

Tanzania Safaris Destination

Ruaha National Park: The top safari destination in Southern Tanzania

In Ruaha National Park, you can experience classic safari adventures without encountering many other travellers and safari vehicles. Famous for its high number of predators, elephants, and varied landscapes, walking safaris and hot air balloon rides. All you have to do is leave the popular northern circuit behind and venture South!

The allure of a Ruaha safari is easy to grasp: It’s a huge national park, covering diverse landscapes which are home to an equally diverse number of wildlife species. Wildlife sightings are phenomenal here! At the same time there are comparably few accommodations available. This, coupled with its location in the remote southern part of Tanzania, many miles away from the popular Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater means: Very few travellers make it to Ruaha

What makes Ruaha National Park special?

Excellent wildlife sightings in diverse landscapes with very few tourists around, make for exclusive safari experiences.

Due to its remoteness, Ruaha is very popular with repeat visitors and passionate safari lovers who have been to Tanzania before.

However, if you would like to visit Ruaha, while not missing out on Serengeti and Ngorongoro, you can choose to fly to Ruaha, landing at one of the bush airstrips inside the park.

Vegetation and landscapes

The vegetation in Ruaha National Park differs drastically between flat treeless savannahs, Miombo woodlands, dry bush lands, swamps, and riverine forests. To illustrate, almost 1650 different plant species can be found in the park, creating a one-of-a-kind botanical paradise.

The park is named after the great Ruaha River of which 160 km flow through the park. It is the most distinctive feature of the park and for its residents the most important. Apart from the river the park is well known for its varied scenery – from large open plains to rolling hills, river systems to wetlands and kopjes to mountains.

The Ruaha National Park marks the transition zone where eastern and southern species of flora and fauna overlap. The Great Rift Valley also runs through the park with escarpment walls rising between 50 and 100 m in height. Natural springs associated with the rift valley are scattered throughout the park.

During the dry season, the majestic Ruaha River recedes to nothing more than a few precious waterholes that predators take complete advantage of. Laying silently in wait, knowing that thirst will drive herds of impalas, gazelles, and other antelopes to come drink. Additionally, the riverine vegetation on the shores around the river helps provide enough cover for lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs and hyenas making it the best hunting ground in the park.

Which animals can you see here?

The Ruaha National Park is famous for having one of the highest concentrations of African elephants in East Africa. Hence, huge numbers of up to 200 are often spotted below giant baobab trees. What’s more, the park is also home to both species of kudu (greater and lesser) as well as the majestic sable and roan antelopes both of which are frequently seen.

Ornithologists are also in for a treat as up to 529 species have been sighted in the park. For example, some of the famous birds include the endemic Ruaha red billed hornbill, kingfishers, sunbirds, black collared lovebirds, ashy starlings, ground hornbills, bateleurs, fish eagles and many more.

Activities

Day-time game drives are the main activity in the park and exciting enough if you ask us. However, if you’d like to change your perspective or add a highlight to your trip, you have the option to book a walking safari or a hot air balloon ride – truly special experiences.

When to go

Best time to go to Ruaha National Park

As with many safari destinations, the dry season is the best time to visit Ruaha National Park. Between end of June and November, the mighty Ruaha River is one of the very few water sources for animals – an ideal area for great wildlife sightings. The weather is sunny and warm, but not too hot and the roads are dry and better to navigate. The rains start earlier than on the Northern Circuit and can begin as early as mid-December and last until March. The rainy season is a great time for birders as many migratory birds can be observed. However, during the rainy low season, some accommodations in Ruaha National Park close temporarily, so good planning is essential.

Dry Season

une to November Best for wildlife sightings at the Ruaha River.

Green Season

December to May Great for birding, but dense vegetation can make sightings difficult.

Why book with us

Experienced Guides

With years of safari guiding across Tanzania, our team ensures every moment is rich with discovery, comfort, and local connection.

Experienced Guides

With years of safari guiding across Tanzania, our team ensures every moment is rich with discovery, comfort, and local connection.

Experienced Guides

With years of safari guiding across Tanzania, our team ensures every moment is rich with discovery, comfort, and local connection.

What Our Travelers Say

Nothing speaks louder than the voices of travelers who have explored Tanzania with us. Whether it’s a first-time safari or a return journey, our guests consistently highlight our expert guides, seamless organization, and the unforgettable moments we create together.

    
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Christian R 
 
 
 
 Verified Excellent experience, we happily recommend Jema Safaris.
Our Tanzania safari was a special trip, beautifully organized by Jema Safaris & Tours from start to finish, and we are delighted that we decided to go on a 3-day, 2-night group safari. Traveling with others turned out to be one of the most enjoyable aspects of the experience. We peacefully explored the famous Serengeti and the legendary Ngorongoro Crater. Our driver guide was very helpful and provided necessary information throughout the trip. As a short safari, our itinerary struck a wonderful balance between wildlife and adventure.
  
 
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   Davide B 
 
 
 
 Verified Great five days Safari in Tanzania
We just came back from an amazing 5-day safari in Tanzania, and it was the best trip ever. On our first day, we went to Tarangire National Park. It was so beautiful, with really big trees and lots of elephants right next to our jeep. For the second and third days, we visited the Serengeti. Having two full days there was great. The wide open spaces were beautiful, and we saw so many animals, including lions and leopards. On day four, we went to the Ngorongoro Crater. It felt like a completely different world, and there were so many animals living close together down there. Finally, on the fifth day, we finished our trip at Lake Manyara. It is a very green park with a big lake, lots of monkeys, and beautiful birds. It was a nice change from the other parks. The animals were great, but our guide, Allan, made the trip really special. He was fantastic! Allan knew so much and explained everything about the animals and nature to us in a simple way. He was always ready to help with anything we needed. The best part was that he was so friendly. During the long drives in the car or when we were just waiting, we could talk and joke with him easily. It felt like traveling with a good friend. If you want to go on a safari in Tanzania, this plan is perfect, and you should definitely ask for Allan to be your guide!
  
 
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   Elke 
 
 
 
 Verified Great experience in Tanzania with Tanzanians
My 12 year old daughter and me went on a 4-day safari with Jema Safaris & Tours. After our whole family had done already a safari in Tanzania with one of the big providers in 2023, we aimed for a truly local one this time. Jema Safaris & Tours turned to be a very good choice. Starting with an easy, but professional booking procedure, we felt comfortable and safe all the time. While aligning itineraries all our wishes were considered, response time was very quick and payment procedure was reliable and fair. The suggested accommodations were close to the parks we wanted to visit and thus helped to start game drives early in the morning without long transfers. Especially Osupuko Tarangire Lodge was amazing, with nice views from the dining area and swimming pool. On safari we focused on Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, which is a true paradise on earth. We had incredible wildlife encounters and even got to see 4 rhinos very close. Our guide, Allan K. contributed a lot to this unforgettable experience. He turned out to be a very knowledgeable, thus funny guide, excellent driver and most of all took great care of us and made us feel welcome and safe. Apart from all the information about wildlife and nature he shared insights about life and people in Tanzania, which we appreciated a lot. We can definitely recommend Jema Safaris & Tours. They provide very good service and are a truly local company run by experienced, dedicated and reliable people.
  
 
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   steve 
 
 
 
 Verified Great Day
Today was a great day!! The guide picked me up at the hotel and we started our journey through the towns. Eddie provided lots of great information along the way. Once we got to the village we were joined by a local guide who knew everyone and lead us to the waterfall. The views along the way were amazing. What really made the trip was the time we spent talking and even after many hours the guide wanted to show the city of Arusha with bustling farmer district and shops. It true the guide can make it a good trip or a great one. Thank you for the memories!!
  
 
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   Mirian G 
 
 
 
 Verified Amazing safari!
We were so lucky to have Dickson as our Spanish-speaking guide! He spoke the language very well, and was incredibly attentive, friendly, respectful, and responsible. He went above and beyond on the safari to make sure we had a fantastic time! He was very considerate of our personal wish to see big cats. He's also an excellent driver. We would choose him again without hesitation!
  
 
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   lauram06082026 
 
 
 
 Verified A Life Changing Safari with Jema
Jema Safaris provided us with an experience that went beyond our wildest expectations. We decided to book our safari ourselves and Jema worked with us from afar to customize our trip with attention to our budget and our interests. Our guide, Hassan, has proved invaluable: he is steady, thoughtful, good humored, well informed, and an excellent driver. It is a pleasure to spend a week with him. He has taught us so much both about nature and culture in Tanzania. We will certainly travel with Jema when we come back! Jema was fantastic from start to finish.
  
 
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   Harry M 
 
 
 
 Verified Coffee, culture, and the falls, the combination of all of this was truly a special experience for us.
Our visit to Materuni Waterfall and Coffee Tour in Tanzania was one of the most beautiful experiences The one that will be remembered for a lifetime. We began with a scenic walk through lush coffee farms and tiny villages, where everyone greeted us with smiles. Eddy was a perfect and professional as our tour companion. we joined the locals for a traditional coffee-making session, such a joyful and real experience. The aroma of the coffee was heavenly, and tasting our own cup felt so rewarding. Appreciate Jema Safaris and Tours for their hospitable service and to give the gift of an exciting, romantic trip.
  
 
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   Maraus 
 
 
 
 Verified The journey was truly special for us ❤️
We definitely respect Jema Safaris and Tours for their commitment. They have provided good service out of their sense of responsibility. Our day trip at Ngorongoro Crater was amazed by the sheer density of wildlife. Zebras grazed alongside wildebeests, buffalo roamed freely. Everything felt untouched, pristine, and perfectly balanced. George was a fantastic guide. He always laughed with us and explained to us about the animals. We kept thinking about how rare it is to see such harmony in the natural world. The Ngorongoro Crater a reminder of the rawness and beauty of nature.
  
 
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   Jhon Max 
 
 
 
 Verified Our day trip at Zanzibar & we felt pure paradise.
With Jema Safaris was the best journeys in our life. Zanzibar is a perfect blend of culture, nature, and pure beauty. We explored Stone Town's winding alleys, discovering hidden cafe and colorful markets. The local food was delicious 😋. And we tasted some traditional dishes. The beaches wast awesome, white sand, turquoise water, and gentle waves. Walking along Nungwi at sunset felt like a dream. It was a cultural journey that leaves we inspired.
  
 
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   Mcknig 
 
 
 
 Verified We enjoyed the wildlife and natural beauty of Tanzania.
Our family's trip to Tanzania was very peaceful. We connected with Said Hasan at Jema Safaris and Tours and after discussing the safari with him, we finalized the decision for 5 days. We 5 days exploring Tarangire, Serengeti, Lake Mayrana and the Ngorongoro Crater, and every day felt like a new adventure. Our guide ( Eddy and Kareem ) were very helpful and much explained about wildlife and culture. Tarangire was full of elephants and those amazing baobab trees that looked straight out of a movie. In the Serengeti, The most incredible moment was watching hundreds of zebras crossing the Mara River, absolutely breathtaking. We also explored the peaceful lake mayrana. And lastly explored Ngorongoro Crater we felt completely another hidden world. Jema Safaris team made this journey one of the best experiences of our lives.

Tanzania Safaris Destination