Luxury Ruaha Safaris

Ruaha National Park is in southern Tanzania. The closest international airport is in Dar es Salaam (east of the park), which is a great option to fly into and out of if you are combining the southern parks for your Tanzania safari. Ruaha National Park has a few airstrips inside the park, which domestic operators like Auric Air and Coastal Aviation use. This makes it easy to combine with other safari destinations, like the Selous Game Reserve or the Serengeti National Park. All of our safaris are private and personalized, so get in touch with our experts to start planning!

Ruaha National Park is famed for its red and dry landscape. In terms of wildlife sightings, Ruaha National Park has particularly good leopard and lion sightings. The national park and the game management zone bordering the park homes approximately 10% of the world’s lion population so during a 3-night safari, you are very likely to see resident lion prides.

These destinations are both very different so it’s hard to compare safari experiences. Both national parks will give you an incredible and captivating safari, but there are pros and cons to both. For example, although you won’t see the Great Wildebeest Migration in Ruaha National Park (which you can see from the Serengeti), there are still thousands of resident wildebeest that you will see, as well as a host of other unique antelope like the greater and lesser kudu. You can also do other activities in Ruaha National Park like fly camping and walking safaris – offering a well-rounded safari.

Like most safari destinations, the main activity is game drives. These are done in open-sided 4×4 safari vehicles, with a driver/guide. These vehicles have a maximum of 6 people, and will be other guests from the camp. You will have the same safari guide throughout your safari and by the time you leave, they’ll often be regarded as a friend. Some safari camps also offer walking safaris which are guided walks through the bush, paying particular attention to the smaller things like flora, fauna and footprints. Fly camping is also an option which is an opportunity to sleep under the stars in the bush – usually with just a mosquito net around you. This is an incredible special experience so do ask your specialist about this to find out more.

We would only recommend staying inside the park’s reserve, of which there are only a handful of safari camps. Staying inside the park means you are in the best area for game viewing – with areas around the Ruaha River and dry riverbeds being the most prolific. The beauty of the southern parks of Tanzania is their authenticity and intimacy. The majority of safari camps are tented, and have a maximum of around ten rooms which offers a very exclusive feel. Some camps offer a more luxurious experience, with swimming pools, private plunge pools, and breath-taking views. These camps, like Jabali Ridge and Ikuka are great options for special occasions too, with unparalleled views and amenities.