Ruaha
National Park
This is one of
Tanzania's least accessible parks and as such it is totally
untouched and remains one of Tanzania's most exciting game
reserves. One of the best Tanzania’s best kept wildlife
secrets is the Ruaha National Park. Previous inaccessibility
ensured it remain virtually unchanged for centuries,
unaffected by ravages of mankind. Ruaha, the second largest
(after the Serengeti) of Tanzania's varied National parks,
with its dramatic geography is truly a vast unspoilt
wilderness of some 10,300 sq km. It is part of an enormous
expanse of protected land-the 30,000 sq km Rungwa-Kisigo-Ruaha
ecosystem, most of which made up the Saba Game Reserve in
former German Colonial times. Ruaha is also interesting as it
represents a transition zone where eastern and southern
African species of fauna and flora overlap. The Ruaha river
runs through spectacular gorges and twists past majestic
trees, which makes Ruaha park especially appealing to those
who wish to take great photographs.
Main
features:
The shining
river after which the park is named, winds through the eastern
section, fringed by tall trees: Acacia albida, Tamarind
and Wild figs, as well as the majestic Baobab, almost a
signature of Ruaha. The valley of the Great Ruaha River is
thought to be an extension of the Great Rift Valley and the
Ruaha flows along the Park's entire eastern boundary through
rugged gorges and open plains.
A rich diversity
of animal and plant life is sheltered by the Park:
hauntingly beautiful and wild landscape of miombo forest,
rolling woodlands, hills, rivers and plains and possesses a
great variety of wildlife, most of the big games; lion,
leopard, cheetah, hunting dog, warthog, giraffe, zebra, huge
herds of buffalo and large concentrations of elephant. It is
the only East Africa Park where it is possible to see the
greater and lesser kudu, as well as sable and roan antelopes;
and Grants gazelles. Whilst rhinos are rarely seen today, the
elephant population has more than doubled in the last dozen
years, not least due to steady eradication of poaching, but
involving the village communities around the park in a largely
successful joint effort that has become an example (MBOMIPA).
The diversity of
bird life in Ruaha, more than any other East African park, is
extraordinary; its geographical location meaning that it is
visited by both northern and southern migrants. These include
the Red-billed Wood Hoopoe, Violet-crested Turaco,
Racquet-tailed Roller, Red-billed Fire finch, Dickinson's
Kestrel and Pel's Fishing Owl. Some 480 species of bird have
been sighted within the Park and the first third of the year,
during the wet months, is appreciated as the most interesting
for birders. Eurasian migrants flock to Ruaha twice a year
–March to April and October to November-joining the resident
bird species such as kingfishers, hornbills, sunbirds, egrets
and plovers. As nearly as large as the Serengeti, and it is a
birdwatcher's paradise, as there are 350 species of bird that
are not found in northern Tanzania parks.
Activities and Special Interests:
Bird watching, photography, walking
safaris, and game viewing from a vehicle (4x4 WD). Day walks
or hiking safaris through untouched bush. Visit to Stone age
ruins at Isimila, 120 km (75 miles) from Iringa town
and one of Africa's most important historical sites .
When to
visit:
Ruaha is
interesting all year round and there are climatic variations,
not least owing to global warning and the El Nino phenomenon.
However June to October is the 'Yellow season'; when game is
most visible because the grass is shorter and the animals come
to the Great Ruaha River to drink. November and December are
hot, and the short rains make the climate more humid, though
these certainly do not preclude a visit. January and February
are predominantly hot and dry but again a good time to visit.
March and April are wet and movement around the park can be a
little more difficult and May is usually very wet and is the
time when most camps will be closed. Conclusively for
predators and large mammals, dry season (mid-May-December);
bird-watching, lush scenery and wildflowers, wet season
(January-April). The male greater kudu is most visible in
June, the breeding season.
Accessibility:
Ruaha is accessible by both
air from Dar es Salaam, Selous, Serengeti,
Arusha, Iringa and Mbeya. Year-round road access through
Iringa from Dar es Salaam (about 10 hours) via Mikumi or from
Arusha via Dodoma.
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