Ruaha National Park

The contiguous Rungwa, Kizigo and Muhesi game reserve are the main source of the Ruaha River and the most important place for the Ruaha elephants during the dry seasons over 8,000 searching for water and grassland. The combinations of the above constitute the greater Ruaha Ecosystem with an area of approximately 25,000 square kilometers.

Southern highlands of Tanzania lay Ruaha National Park that covers an area of about 12,950 square kilometers and makes the second largest park. The origin of its name is from the river that crosses to the park having largest water catchments.

The vegetation of Ruaha is covered by tall trees such as baobab, tamarind, acacia albida, wild pigs, grasslands and Miombo woodland to the eastern side of the river.

Ruaha River is a home to hippos, crocodiles and numerous water birds includes spotted eagle owl, African cuckoo, bee-eater, doves' shrikes and ostriches among others.

Ruaha accommodates other numerous wild animals include roan and sable antelopes, African buffaloes, lions, greater and lesser Kudus, gazelles, wild dogs, cheetahs, wildebeests, hartebeest, impalas and zebras.

What to do

Day walks or hiking safaris through untouched bush.
Stone Age ruins at Isimila, near Iringa, 120 km (75 miles) away, one of Africa's most important historical sites.

Best time

For predators and large mammals, dry season (mid-May-December);
bird-watching, lush scenery and wildflowers, wet season (January-April).

7 Days / 6 Nights Dar Es Salaam / Mikumi National Park / Ruaha National Park

1Day 1: Dar Es Salaam-Iringa
In the morning after breakfast you will meet your tour guide for briefing and the safari to Iringa will start. You will be having a stopover at Mikumi Genesis Motel for hot lunch before proceeding to Iringa town. You will have an option of having hot shower, dinner and overnight at the two accommodation place which is Old farmhouse or Iringa hotel.
2Day 2: Iringa-Ruaha National Park
After breakfast drive to Tandala Tented Camp on the boundary of Ruaha National Park which has recently been combined with the Usanga Game Reserve making the largest National Park in Africa covering over 15,000 sq km. The new park itself is at the heart of a larger ecosystem covering over 40,000 sq km. Upon arrival you will have a rest, hot shower dinner and overnight at Jongomero Camp, Tandala Tented or Ruaha River Lodge.
3Day 3 - 4: Ruaha National Park
Two full day game drives at Ruaha National Park with picnic lunch. Ruaha, with an area of 10,300 square kilometers is the second largest elephant sanctuary in Tanzania. The great Ruaha River that flows along its entire eastern border, creating spectacular gorges and scenery, features a large number of hippos and crocodiles. The variety of animals include Greater and Lesser Kudu, roan and sable antelope. Bird life is rich, with over 370 species recorded. In the evening after game drive you will have hot shower, dinner and overnight at the Jongomero Camp, Tandala Tented or Ruaha River Lodge.
4Day 5 - 6: Mikumi National Park
After breakfast drive to Mikumi National Park nestled between the Uruguru Mountains to the East and the Rift Valley Escarpments to the Southwest. As it is close to the Selous ecosystem and therefore part of it, it benefits from the highest game density of the entire conservation area. The Mikumi National Park obtains a good impression of the African animal world and is suitable very well for a short visit.

There is a rich variety bird species as well as large numbers of giraffe, buffalo and elephants and close to the water holes also lions, leopards and hippos. Furthermore you can see zebras, lions, wild dogs, pythons, hartebeest, wildebeest, elephants, impala, warthog, eland and other antelopes. Several observation towers enable you to overview the park in its entirety. Mikumi National Park is mostly miombo woodland with gently rolling hills. Activities are game drives and a walking safari whereby you will be having two overnight after the above activities at Genesis Motel in Mikumi.
5Day 7: Mikumi-Dar es Salaam
Depend ing on your schedule you go on for an early morning game drive. After breakfast you return to Dar es Salaam by road (some 8-9 hours drive). Your guide will take you to Dar es Salaam International Airport for your flight back home.