Destinations TanzaniaRuaha National Park

Tanzania's wild, baobab-studded secret

Ruaha National Park

6 nearby safaris2 places to stayBest: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep…

The destination

About Ruaha National Park

Ruaha is Tanzania's largest national park and its best-kept secret: a vast, semi-arid wilderness of ancient baobabs and sand rivers where East and Southern African ecosystems overlap, so greater kudu and sable graze the same country as huge elephant herds. It holds roughly a tenth of Africa's lions, in prides big enough to tackle buffalo and even giraffe. Visitor numbers are a fraction of the north's, so sightings are yours alone. The Great Ruaha River is the dry-season stage: elephants digging for water, crocodiles waiting, and leopards in the winterthorn shade.

Highlights

One tenth of Africa's lions
Ancient baobab landscapes
Rare kudu, sable and roan
A fraction of northern-circuit visitors
Superb walking safaris

Best time to visit

Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct

Wildlife to watch for

Mega lion prides
Elephant herds
Greater kudu and sable
Wild dogs and leopard
570+ bird species

Things to do

Game drives
Walking safaris
Photography
Birding

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Find your bearings

Ruaha National Park in context

Neighbouring destinations in Tanzania, tap any marker.

Where to stay

Sleep close to the action

All Tanzania stays

Ruaha River Lodge

LODGE

Jibale Ridge

LODGE

Nearby journeys

Safaris in Tanzania

No packaged tour stops here yet. These get you closest, or we can build a custom route through Ruaha National Park.

From $1,705

6 days

Featured

6-Day Tanzania Low Season Safari

Same camps and guides as the peak season, with far fewer vehicles at the sightings. Low-season rates for November 2026 and May 2027, from US$1,705 per person. A full day of game driving in Tarangire, including a hot lunch in the park. Two nights in Central Serengeti, with a full day on the Seronera plains. A morning on the Ngorongoro Crater floor, with lunch by the lake. Your own Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, on-board Wi-Fi and a private guide. Met at Kilimanjaro Airport, with your first night in Arusha included

12-Day Signature Great Migration River Crossing Photographic Safari

Four nights in Northern Serengeti, so the safari never depends on one afternoon at the Mara River. A scheduled flight straight to Kogatende, saving a full day of overland transfer. A maximum of four photographers per private vehicle, for real shooting space. Three nights in Central Serengeti for leopard, lion and cheetah photography. A full day inside Ngorongoro Crater, descending early into soft light. A final Arusha night to back up files and repack equipment before flying home

Arusha | Serengeti National Park | Central Serengeti | Ngorongoro Crater

12-Day Signature Great Migration Calving Photographic Safari

Four nights on the Ndutu calving plains, not a single overnight stop. A maximum of four photographers per private vehicle, for real access to the windows and pop-up roof. A full day inside Ngorongoro Crater, descending early while the light is still soft. Three nights in Central Serengeti for leopard, lion and cheetah photography. A scheduled Seronera to Arusha flight, so the last day is spent shooting rather than driving. Vehicle refrigerator, charging points and Wi-Fi where network coverage permits

Arusha | Ngorongoro Crater | Ndutu Area | Central Serengeti

5-Day Tanzania Low Season Safari

Same camps and guides as the peak season, with far fewer vehicles at the sightings. Low-season rates for November 2026 and May 2027, from US$1,620 per person. A full day of game driving in Tarangire. Two nights in Central Serengeti, with a full day on the Seronera plains. A morning on the Ngorongoro Crater floor, with lunch by the lake. Your own Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, on-board Wi-Fi and a private guide. Starts from your hotel in Arusha, so it fits after a Kilimanjaro climb or a night in town