Ruaha National Park
Tanzania's largest mainland national park — a rugged, remote wilderness with the country's biggest elephant and lion populations.
Ruaha National Park is Tanzania's largest national park at 20,226 square kilometres and one of Africa's last great wilderness frontiers. Located in central Tanzania, it remains beautifully remote and receives remarkably few visitors relative to its size and wildlife wealth.
The Great Ruaha River forms the park's southeastern boundary and serves as the primary water source during the dry season. As water recedes, extraordinary concentrations of wildlife gather along the river — creating game viewing opportunities that rival anywhere in Africa.
Ruaha sits at the transition zone between East African savannah and Southern African miombo woodland, creating a unique ecological overlap. Species from both systems coexist here — Grant's gazelle alongside sable and roan antelope, for example — making Ruaha one of the most biodiverse parks on the continent.
For experienced safari-goers seeking authentic, uncrowded wilderness, Ruaha delivers an experience that the Northern Circuit parks simply cannot match.
Safari Tours & Packages in Ruaha National Park
Explore our curated itineraries that include Ruaha National Park.
Wildlife & What You'll See
Ruaha hosts Tanzania's largest elephant population (estimated 12,000+) and its largest lion population (estimated 10% of all African lions). Leopard sightings are frequent, and the park supports significant populations of cheetah, African wild dog, and striped hyena.
The ecological overlap zone creates unique wildlife combinations. Greater and lesser kudu, sable antelope, roan antelope, Grant's gazelle, and over 570 bird species have been recorded. The birding is exceptional, with migrants boosting numbers from November to April.
How to Get There
Ruaha is accessed by scheduled or charter flights from Dar es Salaam (2 hours) or Arusha. Road access from Iringa town takes approximately 2 hours on a rough track. Most visitors fly in to Msembe Airstrip or Jongomero Airstrip.
Park Fees & Regulations
Park entry fees are $53.10 per adult per 24 hours (non-resident). Walking safari fees apply separately. All fees are typically included in your safari package price.