Kichaka Expeditions

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.

Activities
The activities typically include a long morning walk (a good 5-6 hours) and afternoon game drive which continues after dark back to camp (the road networks in the area are limited so the game-drives will cover the same ground, but are always very interesting). However, if you take the camp exclusively you can walk as much as you like.

If you are staying on a completely private basis, the nights spent in base camp and the fly-camp can be completely tailored to your needs. If staying on a shared basis, they offer 3 night (base camp only), 5 night (3 nights base camp and 2 nights fly-camp) and 7 night (4 nights base camp and 3 night fly-camp) options. Generally speaking Moli (Andrew Molinaro) operates out of the base camp and his head guide Jacques out of the fly-camp, but this is flexible depending on bookings. If the camp is taken exclusively, of course everything can be tailored accordingly.

Seasons
Kichaka operate all year round, though July to October is the core dry season and best for walking and fly-camping.