Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park is the second largest national park in Tanzania. It covers
an area of about 12,950 km². It is located in the middle of Tanzania about 130 km from Iringa.
The park is part of a more extensive ecosystem which includes Rungwa Game Reserve, Usangu
Game Reserve, and several other protected areas. The name of the park is derived from
the Great Ruaha River, which flows along its south-eastern margin and is the focus
for game-viewing. The park can be reached by car via Iringa and there is an
airstrip at Msembe, park headquarters.
Ruaha is famous for its large population of Elephants. Presently about 10.000
are roaming the park. Ruaha National Park is also a true birdwatchers paradise: 436 species have
been identified of an estimated total of 475. Among the resident birds are different species
of Hornbills, Kingfishers and Sunbirds. Also many migrants visit Ruaha, e.g. the White Stork
Other special animals in Ruaha are: the African Wild Dog and Sable Antelope. Rhinoceros
were last been sighted in 1982 and are probably extinct in the park due to poaching.
The best times to visit for predators and large mammals is the dry season
(May-December) and for birds and flowers, the wet
season (January-April).
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