Ruaha National Park can be visited at any time of year. However, the best time for game viewing is during the dry season from June until December when wildlife converges on the dwindling water reserves of the park and concentrates along the Great Ruaha River, the only permanent water source in the park.
The 'Green Season'
During the 'rains' from December until April, the trees erupt into leaves and the Ruaha River swells into a bursting torrent. Although the game viewing from these lodges in Africa becomes more difficult due to lush vegetation, the game is still greatly in evidence. This season is the best time for bird watching as the population grows with both the northern and southern migratory species visiting Ruaha.
How to Get to Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park is 120km (74.6 miles) from the nearest town - Iringa - down the rather aptly named 'Never-ending' road. This takes approximately 2 hours. There is an air schedule three times a week operating out of Dar es Salaam / Zanzibar via Selous and Ruaha up to Arusha in the north.
Life in Ruaha National Park
During the long dry season wildlife concentrates along the Great Ruaha River, the lifeline of the Park, attracting a host of predators: Lion, Leopard and Hunting dog. Numerous other species, including Cheetah, may be seen on the plains.
The Great Ruaha River begins as a series of clear mountain streams in the Southern Highlands before developing into an extremely beautiful and important feature of one of the largest and wildest Game Parks in the world. Ruaha National Park, 13000 sq km is the size of Belgium, and is a special park due to its remoteness and dramatic topography.
February is often a scenically stunning time to stay in African lodges in Ruaha when the winds change forcing a break in the weather. Only the safari camp in Mikumi closes during the rains, while Vuma Hills, the Highland Lodge and Lazy Lagoon remain open all year. Lazy Lagoon has a different coastal weather pattern without such a consistent period of rain.
