Ruaha national park Tanzania
Ruaha national park Tanzania is found in the southern part of Tanzania and it is among the famous wildlife viewing destinations of Tanzania.
The national park offers amazing wildlife viewing during safaris in Tanzania throughout the year and Ruaha national park is also said to be the second largest national park in Tanzania.
A variety of wildlife species can be seen during safaris to Ruaha national park and they include lions, antelopes, giraffes, kudu, elephants, buffalos, hippos, waterbucks, impalas, gazelles, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, jackals, waterbucks, bushbucks, hartebeests among others as well as different bird species. Ruaha national park is known for predator sightings and also elephants during safaris around the destination.
Ruaha national park consists of the great Ruaha river, savannah plains, miombo woodland and also baobabs. The national park has unspoiled wilderness and there are less crowds of tourists when visiting the national park.
The dry season is considered a good time for Tanzania wildlife viewing around Ruaha national park when wildlife gather around the water sources around the national park making them easy to spot during a safari experience.
During the months of March, April and May, rains are received around Ruaha national park and it is a good time for exploring the park especially for photography. Wildlife viewing during these months can also be carried out when exploring Ruaha national park.
Activities which can be carried out during safaris around Ruaha national park include game drives, walking safaris, bird watching and also amazing photography around the national park.
When driving around Ruaha national park, game drives can be carried out at different times of day including the morning and afternoon game drives. The game drives are done in 4×4 safari vehicles and with the help of a skilled guide, tourists enjoy seeing the various wildlife species found in the national park.
Walking safaris around Ruaha national park are also part of the tour experience during wildlife viewing excursions around the destination. During these walks, tourists enjoy the breathtaking scenery around the national park and a closer view of the attractions in the national park. This activity also offers an off the track safari experience and the walks are done with an armed ranger guide. A number of wildlife species can also be encountered during these nature walks around Ruaha national park which are best done during the dry season.
Bird watchers also get a taste of the amazing birding experience during safaris in Ruaha national park and some of the birds which can be seen around the destination include the yellow collared lovebird, ashy starling, crested barbet, giant kingfishers, southern ground hornbill, African fish eagle, collared palm thrush among others. The best time to see these birds in Ruaha national park is during the months of November to April. Over 500 bird species are found around the national park.
There are many reasons for engaging in a safari to Ruaha national park when visiting Tanzania such as its unspoilt wilderness, a chance to avoid crowds when exploring the national park, amazing wildlife viewing throughout the year and diversity in wildlife species and birds at the destination, beautiful landscape, views of the rift valley among other reasons.
Park entrance fee of Ruaha national park
In Tanzania during a safari to Ruaha national park, tourists are charged park entrance fee before accessing the national park and it is as follows (excluding 18% tax);
Nonresidents visiting Ruaha national park aged above 16 years are charged park entrance fee of 30 USD while children aged between 5 and 15 years are charged entrance fee of 10 USD.
Expatriates or residents during safaris to Ruaha national park are charged entrance fee of 15 USD for those above 16 years of age while children aged between 5 and 15 years are charged park entrance fee of 5 USD.
East Africans (nationals of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan) are charged park entrance fee of 5,000 Tanzania shillings for those above the age of 16 years while children aged between 5 and 15 years are charged park entrance fee of 2,000 Tanzania shillings to visit Ruaha national park.
During safaris to Ruaha national park in Tanzania, children below the age of 5 years do not pay park entrance fee.
How to get to Ruaha national park in Tanzania
Ruaha national park safaris when visiting Tanzania start from Dar es Salaam and the airport to use during these tours is Julius Nyerere international airport (DAR). The option of driving from Dar es Salaam to Ruaha national park during safaris takes about 10 hours.
There are scheduled flights and charter flights from Dar es Salaam to the airstrip in Ruaha national park. These flights also go to other destinations around the southern part of Tanzania such as Mikumi national park.
During Tanzania safaris to Ruaha national park, there are also flights offered from Arusha to Ruaha national park using airlines like Coastal aviation.
