The game viewing starts the moment the plane touches down. A giraffe
races beside the airstrip, all legs and neck, yet oddly elegant in
its awkwardness. A line of zebras parades across the runway in the
giraffe's wake.
In the distance, beneath a bulbous baobab tree, a few
representatives of Ruaha's 10,000 elephants - the largest population
of any East African national park, form a protective huddle around
their young.
Second
only to Katavi in its aura of untrammeled wilderness, but far more
accessible, Ruaha protects a vast tract of the rugged, semi-arid
bush country that characterizes central Tanzania. Its lifeblood is
the Great Ruaha River, which courses along the eastern boundary in a
flooded torrent during the height of the rains, but dwindling
thereafter to a scattering of precious pools surrounded by a
blinding sweep of sand and rock. A fine network of game-viewing
roads follows the Great Ruaha and its seasonal tributaries, where ,
during the dry season, impala, waterbuck and other antelopes risk
their life for a sip of life-sustaining water. And the risk is
considerable: not only from the prides of 20-plus lion that lord
over the savannah, but also from the cheetahs that stalk the open
grassland and the leopards that lurk in tangled riverine thickets.
This impressive array of large predators is boosted by both striped
and spotted hyena, as well as several conspicuous packs of the
highly endangered African wild dog. Ruaha's unusually high diversity
of antelope is a function of its location, which is transitional to
the acacia savannah of East Africa and the miombo woodland belt of
Southern Africa. Grant's gazelle and lesser kudu occur here at the
very south of their range, alongside the miombo-associated sable and
roan antelope, and one of East Africa largest populations of greater
kudu, the park emblem, distinguished by the male's magnificent
corkscrew horns.
A similar duality is noted in the checklist of 450 birds: the likes
of crested barbet, an attractive yellow-and-black bird whose
persistent trilling is a characteristic sound of the southern bush,
occur in Ruaha alongside central Tanzanian endemics such as the
yellow-collared lovebird and ashy starling
Ruaha Accommodation
JONGOMERO CAMP RUAHA NATIONAL PARK
This
exclusive little safari camp is located under shady acacia trees on
the banks of the Jongomero Sand River, in the south-western sector
of Ruaha. It's ideal for anyone who seeks a true African wilderness
experience without the frills of modern day life. With just eight
well-appointed tents, and a dining tent, it's simple, yet retains
the charm of a true bush camp. Activities here are totally tailored
around guest's requirements and guides are extremely knowledgeable.
MWAGUSI SAFARI
CAMP THE RUAHA NATIONAL PARK
Mwagusi
looks out over the dry sand river, where many animals come to dig
for water. This is a camp that promises a special and truly
memorable African wilderness safari, for both the first-timer and
the seasoned safari. The food is excellent and guides are first
class, certainly enthusiastic and will make any game drive and walk
worthwhile. With only eight spacious tents, it's small and personal
and due to the local surroundings, not particularly suited to small
children. The camp is closed for a few months during the rains.
RUAHA RIVER
LODGE RUAHA NATIONAL PARK
Overlooking
the Ruaha River, the lodge blends very well into its natural
surroundings, enabling visitors to feel apart of the wild. The
twenty five bandas are built from stone and thatch, and provide the
perfect setting to relax between bush excursions. From the verandas,
animals descending from the hills to the river can be seen through
out the day. The lodge combines comfort, an excellent setting,
delicious food and very good guides. Activities are generally by
open vehicle though interesting short walks are also popular.