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Ruaha National park

- PURE, UNTOUCHED WILDERNESS -

ABOUT RUAHA
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ABOUT RUAHA

A trip to the Ruaha National Park in Tanzania is an exhilarating adventure into the unknown.  Very few other wildernesses in Africa can convey the sheer isolation and expanse of this land that epitomises the Africa of ‘old’ that was felt in times gone by.  Far far away from the ‘madding’ crowds which haunt the famous Northern Circuits, Ruaha lies in an untouched and incredibly remote area of Southern Tanzania, and is visited by relatively few tourists making it one of Africa’s wildest Parks for the safari enthusiast.

"The wilderness holds answers to questions man has not yet learned to ask"

- Nancy Newhall -

WILDLIFE

RUAHA'S DIVERSITY IS UNPARALLED

Ruaha’s stunning, variable landscapes and habitats have ensured that a wealth of diversity occurs at all levels in its flora and fauna. Its tremendous size which encompasses entire ecosystems also contributes to the wonderful abundance of life that Ruaha possesses.

 

Many creatures are of specialist habitats and unlike the more common generalists which scatter all of Africa’s National Parks, Ruaha boasts many near endemic, and uncommon species not seen in many other areas.  This Park also contains one of the highest concentrations of Elephants in the world and during the dry season vast numbers of these pachyderms can be encountered making Ruaha one of Africa’s greatest Elephant parks.

Wildlife

RUAHA'S SEASONS

Ruaha is situated 7 degrees South of the Equator.  Unlike the rest of East Africa, we endure only one rainy season which begins in November, gets particularly heavy in January & February and begins to slow down in March before finally relinquishing its hold in April.  The soil type of the Park allows for all weather roads permitting operations to proceed year round,  so here at Kichaka we never close!  Within a year Ruaha experiences the full spectrum of African extremes so you can pick the time of year which best suits your interests.  Please read below for more details on particular seasons.

Lion in Ruaha National Park

DRY SEASON

JUNE-NOVEMBER

Without doubt the prime months for game viewing in Ruaha.  Water becomes scarce as the rivers and pans begin to dry up forcing the game closer to the more permanent water sources offering great viewing opportunities. Game sightings improve as the grass dies out and all the leaves fall off the trees as they commence their ‘hibernation’, enabling us to see much deeper into the vegetation.  Brown, yellow and barren defines the landscape, a different beauty to that of the rains.  Bitter nights can occur, especially in a tent, which have their effects thwarted by roaring fires in the camp and hot water bottles in the beds.

In June, July and August, temperatures can drop to about 10°C, warm clothing is recommended during the night.  The days warm up to a very pleasant 30°C with low humidity.  The humidity and heat build in the latter months and daytime temperatures can reach high 30's.
 
There is no chance of rain, not even clouds at this time of year.

Climate & Rain:

Caterpillar in Ruaha Nationa Park

WET SEASON

DECEMBER-MARCH

When it rains it pours!!  Ruaha in the rains can receive considerable amounts of water which turns the land into pure paradise.  Grass emerges from ground so cracked and bare that you wonder if anything could ever recover from this.  But recover it does into every shade of Green imaginable over an incredibly short time.  Rivers are flowing, flowers emerging and there is a sense of peace with the animals in the Park.  A myriad of numerous little creatures, unseen over the dry periods come to life in this period, as well as a huge influx of birds arriving from pastures far far away, some as far as Russia!

Climate & Rain:

Temperatures climb into the mid to high 30’s in the day and can become quite hot, but always cool down wonderfully by bedtime ensuring a good nights sleep.
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Expect chances of big rainstorms. The storms are often brief with sunshine emerging soon after allowing us to continue our day to day activities.
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Baby Elephant in Ruaha National Park

GREEN SEASON

APRIL-MAY

The big rains are over however the land is still lush and green and many of the seasonal rivers still flow, there is a chance of some scattered showers.  The Park roads have dried up and are passable over most their range allowing us to push further into the Park.  The grass slowly begins to yellow and many of the migrant birds begin to leave and make their way back to the Northern hemisphere.  Water is still abundant so the game is scattered over much of the park.  It is possible to see the beauty of the land in a state of paradise without the actual heavy rain itself.  

Climate & Rain:

Temperatures are a very pleasant 15°C   at night with a high of 32°C in the day.
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There is chance of some scattered showers, however most of the big rainstorms have already finished.
SEASONS

Where we Are

RUAHA NATIONAL PARK - TANZANIA

T​anzania is a land of contrasting extremes and at every step it is guaranteed to take your breath away. A place of outstanding and magical beauty, combined with its diverse, warm and gracious people will result in the experience of a lifetime.  This magnificent country brims with mystical History, astonishing culture, vivid landscapes and natural spectacles of such grandeur that it will leave you speechless.   

 

Tanzania also contains some of the greatest National Parks and wildlife areas remaining on the planet and a few days in its wilderness will exhilarate you and give you a brief glimpse into how the world used to be in a bygone time, back as far as the dawn of mankind.

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