Exploring the spectacular untouched
wilderness in Ruaha National Park on our Ruaha
Highlands, Remote
Wilderness Safaris. Within
this remote park you can enjoy walking safaris and quiet game
drives away from the crowds.
Location & size:
Ruaha National Park is situated in
Central Tanzania, lying between the Great Ruaha and Mzombe
Rivers. At 10,000km2 in
size, this is Tanzania's second largest National Park. The
adjoining Rungwa-Kisigo Game Reserves combine with Ruaha National
Park to form the Ruaha ecosystem.
Landscapes & vegetation:
Ruaha National Park is a relatively untouched wilderness located on a dry central plateau, with spectacular views of
mountain ranges and rocky outcrops. Get a bird's eye view as you fly into the park. Ruaha is bounded by the Great Ruaha River on one side and the Mzombe River on the other, supporting an abundance of wildlife. The
rivers flow through sheer orange sandstone gorges,
down swirling rapids and into deep pools.
The wildlife and vegetation found in this transition zone in Ruaha National Park is a unique combination of Eastern (Acacia-Combretum) and Southern (Crachystegia)
African species. Over 1500 species of plants occur
in the Park, with many flowering during the long rains.
Mammals:
Wildlife in Ruaha National Park is incredible in both
its numbers and variety. Ruaha is famous for having some
of Africa’s largest elephant and buffalo populations. The
rivers and pools are home to large numbers of hippo. Zebra
and a large number of antelopes, including roan and sable
antelope, and greater and lesser kudu occur within the ecosystem. These
herbivores in turn support a multitude of predators such as
lion, leopard and cheetah. Ruaha
is one of the few parks in which relatively larger populations
of African Wild Dogs remain and where we have a chance of seeing
some.
Birds:
With over 400 bird species occurring here, Ruaha National
Park is recognised internationally as an Important Bird Area
(IBA) for migrating birds. These birds arrive in large flocks twice a year. The
banks of the rivers teem with a myriad of birds including hornbills,
egrets, herons, and kingfishers.
Reptiles:
The river’s pools are inhabited by numerous crocodiles,
which we will spot as we drive and walk in the Park. Other
less known reptiles occurring in Ruaha National Park include
the Angolan green snake, Variable skink and the endemic tiger
snake. Soft-shelled pancake tortoises occur in Ruaha,
literally running for cover when alarmed. These attractive
tortoises are vulnerable to habitat destruction resulting from
a high demand in the international pet trade.
Ruaha
Highlands Safari |
Herd of giraffe on river bank
(Giraffa camelopardalis)
-
Ruaha - spectacular aerial views
-
Untouched Ruaha wilderness
-
Unique combination of Eastern and Southern African
species
-
Amazing concentrations of wildlife
-
Largest Elephant & Buffalo
herds in Africa
-
Internationally recognised IBA
- Myriad of bird life
- Bush walking & quiet game
drives
- Sheer orange sandstone gorges
Group of Kudu
|
