Ruaha National Park is the largest national park in Tanzania. The addition of the Usangu Game Reserve and other
important wetlands to the park in 2008 increased its size to about 20,226
square kilometres (7,809 sq mi), making it the largest park in
Tanzania and East Africa.
The park is about 130 kilometres (81 mi) west of Iringa. The park is a part of the 45,000
square kilometres (17,000 sq mi) Rungwa-Kizigo-Muhesi ecosystem, which includes the Rungwa Game Reserve, the Kizigo and Muhesi Game Reserves, and the Mbomipa
Wildlife Management Area.
The name of the park is derived from the Great Ruaha River, which flows along its southeastern margin and is the
focus for game-viewing. The park can be reached by car on a dirt road from
Iringa and there are two airstrips – Msembe airstrip at Msembe (park headquarters), and Jongomeru
Airstrip, near the Jongomeru Ranger Post.
History
Germany gazetted the Saba Game Reserve in 1910. British colonial authorities changed the name to the Rungwa Game Reserve in
1946. In 1964, the southern portion of the reserve was excised and
elevated to full park status.
Wildlife
The park formerly was known for its large elephant population, numbering 34,000 in the
Ruaha-Rungwa ecosystem in 2009 but only 15,836 (plus or minus 4,759) in 2015.
More than 571 species of birds have been identified in
the park. Among the resident species are hornbills. Many migratory birds visit the park.
Other noted animals found in this park are cheetah, African
leopard, lion (Africa's
second largest population, representing 10 percent of the world
population), African wild dog (third largest population in the world), spotted hyena, giraffe, hippopotamus, African buffalo, and sable antelope.
The best times to visit for predators and large mammals
is during the dry season (May–December) and for birds and flowers, during the
wet season (January–April).
Accommodation
There
is a wide selection of accommodation in or near the park. The only lodge inside
the park is the Ruaha River Lodge. There are also permanent or seasonal
tented camps inside the park. There are also several park-operated public
and special campsites, a hostel, self-catering bandas, and cottages. Just
outside the park boundaries are several accommodation facilities.
