Ruaha National Park, Tanzania

The Park is part of Rungwa-Kizigo-Muhesi ecosystem which is 45,000 square kilometers consisting of other protected places such as Rungwa game reserve, Kizigo and Muhesi game reserves plus the Mbomipa wildlife management area.

Since in 2008 Usangu game reserve and other important wetlands were added to the Park to make it a single protected area made it to currently be Tanzania’s largest national park covering a total area of approximately 20,226 square kilometers (17,000 sq mi).

Ruaha national park is located 130 kilometers west of Iringa. The Park is not only the largest in Tanzania but also in the whole of East Africa which involves countries like; Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Burundi plus Tanzania itself.

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 since it attracts a variety of wildlife.

The park can be reached by car on a dirt road from Iringa and there are two airstrips within the Park which include Msembe airstrip at Msembe (park headquarters) and Jongomeru Airstrip near the Jongomeru Ranger Post.

The Park resides many inhabitants including wildlife and birds of which there are over 571 bird species which have been recorded in the park among of which they include hornbills and many others plus many migratory birds which seasonally visit the park thus being a suitable place for birders.

Among the wildlife species in the Park are; East African cheetah, African lions, African leopards, wild dogs, spotted hyenas, giraffes, hippopotamus, Cape buffaloes, and sable antelopes among others.

Ruaha river lodge and many other accommodations are established in and around the Park to offer good shelters to the Park’s annual visitors.