Things to do in Ruaha National Park

Things to do in Ruaha National Park

In the remote south of Tanzania lies an off-the-beaten-path destination—Ruaha National Park. This 20,226 km² (7,800 square miles) expanse is famous for its massive elephant herds, giant baobabs, and rich wildlife species. Because many safari-goers crave the northern parks, including Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, Ruaha sees a small fraction of visitors. And those who happen to visit this incredible national park always engage in numerous safari activities. In this article, we unveil the best things to do in Ruaha National Park.

Fly camping.

In Ruaha, you can go the extra mile, experiencing the wilderness in a simple mosquito-netted tent. This simple style of camping was preferred by old-school hunters, who, on their trophy hunting safaris, spent their nights in a simple fly sheet designed to protect them from the sun and rain. Nowadays, fly camping has evolved into immersive tourism to experience nature up close.

The location of your fly camp depends on the lodge or camp you’re staying at. However, most lodges are situated near the banks of the Great Ruaha River, allowing you to hear the ripples of water from nearby hippo pools. Don’t worry, hippos won’t harm you because an armed ranger will be there to protect you.

So why do we think fly camping is a must-do? Fly camping connects you with nature when everyone is asleep. The tent is transparent to allow you to gaze at the African blanket of stars. It’s also simple, such that you hear the night sounds of animals, birds, insects, or breaking branches.

Boat cruising.

In Ruaha, you explore the Great Ruaha River by boat (something you won’t experience in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Tarangire). This voyage takes course along this wide, navigable river, allowing you to view hippos and crocodiles up close. You will also see many river birds like kingfishers, herons, egrets, open-billed storks, white-crowned plovers, and African skimmers.

A sunset boat ride is the best way to complement your day’s game drives. Most lodges often include this activity in their packages. We can also help you through this.

Balloon safaris.

Nothing beats the experience of floating over this expanse. A balloon flight in Ruaha is a must-do thing. This activity is optional and usually comes with an extra cost starting from $450 per person, but it’s worth the price.

Most launch sites are close to the Great Ruaha River, such that once you take off, you will enjoy a comfortable glide along this mighty river. We start with a pickup from your camp and drive to the launch site. Here, you meet the pilot and the crew preparing. After a short briefing, you will board the basket. Be humble; the takeoff stage can be turbulent, but it will stabilize soon.

For the next hour, you will fly gently just a few meters above (depending on the wind). Watch large elephant herds, buffalo, giraffes, and other animals. Also, appreciate the striking landscape of Ruaha from atop. The pilot will then inform you when he is about to start the descent. A champagne breakfast will follow after you’ve successfully landed.

Game drives.

You can always explore Ruaha on a Tanzania safari van like you do in the Serengeti. The difference is that you won’t share a sighting with a pack of 20 cars. Here, you will encounter large elephant herds, buffalo, zebras, wildebeest, impalas, and warthogs. Since the park is home to 10% of Africa’s lions, encountering a large lion pride is a sure thing.

You can also search for rare animals. And here, wild dogs roam the wilderness in a pack of up to 20 individuals. These painted hunting dogs are a rare sighting in most northern parks. They are famous for their collaborative hunting technique, which makes them the most successful predators, with a hunting success rate of up to 98%.

Other animals include the rare sable and roan antelopes, blue wildebeest, and Lichtenstein’s hartebeest. Between animal sightings, you will see birds flying or strolling the plains since this park has over 400 species.

Night game drives.

In Ruaha, you can drive even after sunset (we all know this may result in fines in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater). This nighttime adventure often runs from as early as 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. After dinner, we will pick you up and start the adventure. We drive into the wilderness searching for nocturnal animals like servals, jackals, porcupines, lions, leopards, and bat-eared foxes.

Apart from nocturnals, you will also experience the wilderness alone when other visitors have retired to bed. A night safari is also the best way to smell and hear the sounds of nature. A distant roar of a lion or rustles in the thickets make your safari interesting.

Our pro tip: Wear heavy layers because nights are extremely cold. Also, wear neutral tones to avoid standing out. Headlights are important, but not everyone should have them to avoid disturbing animals.

Other activities are worth mentioning.

Walking safaris—Explore the wilderness on foot. Discover even little things difficult to see from a safari car.

Birdwatching—Discover many bird species, including forest birds and river birds. Make sure you have the best camera and binoculars.

Exploring cultural sites—Explore ancient historical sites within and just outside the park. Visit the Mkwawa Museum, the Isimila Stone Age Site, and more.

The bottom line.

Are you ready to explore Ruaha? Set off for Ruaha National Park. This park will elevate your safari experience with countless wildlife encounters and secluded drives. Our safari planners are here to help you out.