AREA & ACTIVITIES

Habitat & Wildlife
Ruaha National Park was previously part of the huge Rungwa Game Reserve, with which it shares its north-western boundary. In 1964, it was gazetted as the National Park. The terrain within the park is well wooded and undulating. The Great Ruaha River gives the park a permanent supply of water, but there are also numerous sand rivers which become raging torrents during the rains (from December to April). In addition to the Great Ruaha River, there are also numerous waterholes, swamps and seepage areas which provide water throughout the year.

Generally speaking, the park is divided into four different habitats consisting not only of Miombo, but also of undulating hills dominated by baobabs, the albida woodland along the main river courses and areas of open ‘black cotton’ grassland. Mammal viewing is superb particularly in the dry season (June to October) when the animals are forced to congregate around water sources – elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, impala, zebra, giraffe, hippo, waterbuck, roan and sable antelope, eland, greater and lesser kudu, and Grant’s gazelle are just some on the many species to be seen.

Local birdlife is exceptional as Ruaha lies in the convergence zone of species found both to the north and south of the region. Amongst the 570 or so species recorded in the park, you can expect to see bateleur and fish eagles; ostrich; spurwing and Egyptian geese; crowned cranes; guinea fowl; yellow-billed, saddle-billed, Abdim’s and open-billed storks; and numerous species of ibis, plover, kingfisher, bee-eater, parrot, duck, barbet, dove, francolin and roller. The local red-billed hornbill has recently been recognised as its own species. Tsetse fly are present in Ruaha but more in some areas than others. The core game viewing region around the Mwagusi River is not seriously affected by Tsetse.

Although sometimes on offer, we do not countenance extended walks in Ruaha unless you are escorted by a professional guide carrying his own firearm. We do not recommend walking safaris where security is only provided by park rangers, as in our opinion the rangers who take the walks do not have sufficient skills/experience. There is no off-road driving.

Activities
Game viewing takes place by open four-wheel drive vehicle, with the core game viewing areas around 15 minutes from camp (a drive down the escarpment into the valley). Walks are also available, but at an extra cost. We have previously been reticent about walking in Ruaha as the park rangers who have traditionally been required to escort the walks do not, in our opinion, have the sufficient skills/experience to host walks. However while walks are led by the owner, Mark Sheridan Johnson, or an equivalent fully trained walking guide, carrying his own firearm, we feel much more supportive of the initiative. There is also the opportunity to arrange a sleep-out at the Ikuka Rock House (a gauze tent, with proper bed, situated on a raised wooden platform built between two rocks) at an extra cost.

Seasons
Ikuka is open from June to March each year, with the best game viewing from July to October. Birding is best from October to March. It does get very hot and humid towards the end of the season (March).