Ruaha National Park is located in central Tanzania and is one of the least visited parks on the Southern Circuit. Because it’s harder to reach, fewer tourists go there — but that’s exactly what makes it special. The park is full of wild landscapes, baobab trees, hills, and open plains.
Ruaha is great for seeing predators. It has about 10% of the world’s lions, one of East Africa’s four cheetah groups, and the third largest wild dog population in the world. You’ll also find large herds of elephants and buffalo, along with animals from both southern and eastern Africa.
It’s the biggest national park in Tanzania, and even though it doesn’t offer boat safaris like Selous, the game viewing on land is often much better.
We really like this park! The safaris are exciting, feel wild and real, and offer great value for money. It’s still not crowded, so the experience feels more personal.
Whether you visit Ruaha on its own or combine it with Selous, it’s a fantastic choice. The lion sightings around the Mwagusi area are especially good, and overall predator numbers are strong. Ruaha is truly one of the best safari destinations in Tanzania.
The Big Five are five iconic African animals: the Lion, powerful and majestic; the Leopard, stealthy and elusive; the Buffalo, strong and social; the Rhino, with its distinctive horn; and the Elephant, the largest land animal. Seeing these animals on a safari is an unforgettable experience.
Buffalo
