Ruaha National Park in Tanzania is part of the Rungwa-Kizigo-Muhesi ecosystem which covers 45 000 square kilometers. The name Ruaha originates from the Hehe word ‘ruvaha’ which means ‘river’. The park history dates back to 1910. In the years after various reserves and wetlands were incorporated into Ruaha National Park. Today it is the second largest Park in Tanzania and East Africa – with an area of about 22,302.26 square kilometers.
The park serves both wildlife and human settlement – downstream there is farming activity and the hydroelectric power plant which supplies the country with power. Ruaha National Park has a high diversity or plant and animal life including elephant, buffalo, wild dogs and various species of antelope. The park is accessible by air and by road.
The park offers game viewing, walking safaris, and bird watching and bush meals.
Best time to visit Ruaha
The heat is less intense in the Dry season (May to October), though plenty of dust is kicked up as you move around the park. This is also when the resident animals are more often glimpsed, unable to hide in the sun-withered bush. Safaris can get uncomfortably steamy in the wetter months, and some roads may be inaccessible at this time.
Weather and climate in Ruaha
Due to Ruaha being near the equator, temperatures don’t change much from month to month. The area is at its coolest during the Dry season (May to October), which doesn’t say much when the average afternoon temperature is around 27°C/81°F. The Wet season (November to April) piles on the heat and the humidity, with the rainfall at its heaviest early in this period.
How to get to Ruaha
By Air-There are both scheduled and chartered flights into the park mainly from Arusha, Dodoma, Kigoma, Dar-es-salaam and Mwanza city. Park’s airstrips are located at Msembe and Jongomero
By road-It is about 130km drive from Iringa town and 625km from Dar-es-salaam city.
The road into the park is passable throughout the year.