Is it possible to see the Big Five in Ruaha?
The rhino is the only member of the Big Five (lion, buffalo, elephant, leopard, and rhinoceros) that has been gone in Ruaha for years.
Ruaha is without a doubt one of Africa’s best places to see big cats. The concentration of lions here is the most we’ve ever seen. Ruaha’s elephant herds are genuinely spectacular, and a large lion population almost goes hand in hand with thriving buffalo herds. Leopards are frequently seen in the park, with the majority of visitors catching a glimpse of this elusive feline!
Ruaha’s Wildlife
Ruaha is a fantastic safari park since it features a fusion of East and Southern African species in terms of vegetation and wildlife. The Great Ruaha River, a key water supply throughout the year but especially during the dry season, is one cause for the swarms of animals in Ruaha.
The success of game drives in this region contributes significantly to the river’s dependability, since animals concentrate predictably along the long beaches.
Large prides of lions reside here, sometimes totaling over twenty individuals! Leopards and cheetahs like hunting on the broad plains, while servals, caracals, civets, genets, and banded wildcats are also found here. Cheetahs are surprisingly plentiful, making sightings of the three main cat species highly feasible – something that is becoming increasingly rare in Africa.
Other animals can also be found in abundance in Ruaha. The elephant herds in the park are enormous!
Buffalo, zebra, giraffe, hippopotamus, and a diverse range of antelope species, including roan, sable, eland, impala, gazelle, reedbuck, hartebeest, and klipspringer – as well as the biggest population of greater kudu in all of East Africa! Predators include the black-backed jackal, spotted hyena, and (less common) striped hyena, in addition to the cats. The park is also a popular spot for wild dogs, with over a hundred of them as of latest count.
When is the best time to visit Ruaha for wildlife?
The months of July through the end of October are ideal for visiting Ruaha. This is the height of the dry season, and the time of year when the vast majority of Ruaha’s wildlife congregates around the park’s rivers.
How much does it cost to visit Ruaha?
To begin, we’d like to emphasize that Ruaha is one of Africa’s top value parks… As a result, there is a case to be made that visitors should visit during the dry season when prices are greatest, but the overall value (in comparison to other African countries) is still excellent! When comparing the costs here to similar lodges elsewhere in Africa, it’s clear that this park provides some of the greatest value on the continent. The height of the dry season, from July through October, is ideal for game viewing, although fees are expensive. However, if you travel outside of these months, you will get even greater deals.
June is a favorite month for some guides since the park is lush after the rains, fees are reasonable, and Ruaha is relatively uncrowded. Traveling in the beginning of November is also a good idea because prices drop on November 1st!
Ruaha safari activities
Because Ruaha is a National Park, it is governed by the TANAPA laws (the National Park authority). Every resort offers game drives, and the majority of them also provide walking safaris. However, we would like to point out that there are some excellent walking operators in the area, as well as others that must rely on the TANAPA rangers to execute their treks.
