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.

The Usangu Wetlands and their function is critically important for not only the Ruaha-Rungwa ecosystem, but for ecosystems stretching all the way to Nyerere National Park. The intricate network of waterways feed into the Ruaha River, and into the Rujiji River system, making this area of wetland a lifeline for wildlife in much of southern Tanzania. The Usangu Wetlands were added to the protection of Ruaha National Park in 2006 and Usangu Expedition Camp is the first tourism venture in this vast area.

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, cheetah, wild dog, impala, zebra, giraffe, hippo, waterbuck, roan and sable antelope, 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.

Although sometimes on offer, we do not countenance extended walks in Ruaha unless you are escorted by a professional guide carrying his own firearm (which Usangu Expedition Camp provides). 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

Each group has a private vehicle and activities include game drives by day and night, guided walking, boat trips and canoeing (water-level dependent), sleep-outs and fly-camping, and interaction with research and conservation work. Guests can participate in activities such as positioning camera traps, image analysis for predator identification and tracking collared lions. Specialist research trips can also be arranged.

Seasons

Usangu Expedition Camp is open from June through to November, though game viewing is best from July to October.