Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National park which is currently the second largest National Park in Tanzania covering an area of 20,226 sq.km is located in south-central Tanzania. Previously it was recorded to be the first largest before Nyerere National Park, which was carved from Selous Game Reserve, elevated to a full park status and announced in September 2019 by the Tanzanian government to be the largest in Africa. Because of its size, Ruaha is in a unique position, to be able to continue uninterrupted as it has always been an untouched, pristine eco-system, which, in today’s worlds is not only something rare, but also special.

During the dry season, when game viewing is at its peak and best sight, animals are drawn to the Great Ruaha River and other water sources. The sand rivers (Mwagusi and the Mdonya rivers among others) which are now dry, have underground water reserves that the elephants know about, so often one can see the elephants digging holes to obtain this sweet water, which is also used by other creatures.

In the rainy season, it is green and lush, and very beautiful with full running waters in the rivers. At the end of rainy season, the park looks magnificent in its view cloaks of grass and banks with amazing flowers of all description, yellow, daisies, pink cleome, and huge swathes of brightly colored ipomoeas and hibiscus. it will be wise to visit more than once, so that you can experience the vast changes that occur.

Climate

Ruaha National Park enjoys only one rainy season, usually from the end of November to May. The average rainfall in Ruaha varies from 500 mm around the Msembe HQ area in the Rift Valley, to 800 mm in the western high plateau area of the Park. Rainfall plays a huge role in the ecology of the Park which is reflected in the vegetation and the movement of animals.

The coolest time to visit Ruaha is normally from June to the end of July, when the temperatures range from max of 30c during the day dropping to as low as 8c at night. The temperature slowly increases over the next few months resulting in the hottest time, with daily highs of +/- 40c and a night time low of approximately 25c, which is generally just before the rain begins to fall, in November and December.