Ruaha

Ruaha National Park is a captivating and remote wilderness located in central and southern Tanzania. Spanning an area about half the size of Switzerland, comparable to the state of New Jersey, the park is one of Tanzania’s largest. Despite its vast size, it accommodates only 9 lodges and camps—far fewer than the significantly smaller Serengeti, which has over 300. This makes Ruaha (not only) feel wilder and more untouched than many of the parks in the “Northern Circuit.”

Because of its size and geographic extent, Ruaha spans roughly three zones, each with distinct vegetation and animal populations. The park is home to 10% of the remaining African lions, which is why you’ll see plenty of them in my photo gallery below. Ruaha also boasts large populations of both greater and lesser kudu antelopes. In the southwestern sectors of the park, you can spot the rare roan and sable antelopes. There are large elephant herds and abundant giraffes. The elusive wild dog is occasionally spotted, and leopards are quite common. Cheetahs are also present, though they are less prevalent than in the Serengeti, as the park lacks the extensive open plains they favor.

The central section of the park, particularly along the Great Ruaha and Mwagusi rivers, offers stunning landscapes, with rolling hills, dry riverbeds, baobab trees, and unobstructed views from the escarpment. Ruaha’s average elevation is around 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) above sea level, but it varies from 750 meters (2,460 feet) in the Ruaha valley to 1,868 meters (6,129 feet) at the summit of the escarpment.

Ruaha is a beautifully rugged wilderness, where you are likely to encounter plenty of wildlife and few other visitors. My photographs below will give you a glimpse of this untouched beauty. To return to the destinations overview, click here.

Tanzania Map Highlighting Ruaha Nat'l Park

Anna and stone leopard at Ruaha's Msembe gate

Elephants entering dried up Mwagusi river at sunset

Elephants drinking water from sand river (Mwagusi river)

Elephants on sand river at sunset (Mwagusi river)

Baboon climbing palm tree in the evening for shelter

Baboon climbing down again the next morning -- wet from the night's rains

Baboons climbing down again the next morning -- wet from the night's rains

Guinea fowls dust-bathing in the morning

Jabali Private House -- poolside dining table

Jabali Private House -- kitchen and lounge

Jabali Private House -- terrace with hammock

Jabali Private House -- poolside basket with fresh towels

Jabali Private House -- poolside deserts

Group picture with Jabali Private House team

Female lion resting next to giraffe's carcass

Hyena picking up the scent of a nearby carcass

Jackal picking up the scent of a nearby carcass

Saddle storks fishing in the Great Ruaha river

Elephant herd on the track near Ikuka Camp

Guest room and terrace pool at Ikuka camp

Taking a break with a panoramic view of the Mwagusi river

Giraffes and eland antilopes crossing the Mwagusi river near confluence

Watching two male lions at close distance

Male lion self-grooming (notice the injury on his head from a recent battle)

Elephant crossing the Mwagusi river near confluence

Male lion resting on the dried up Mwagusi river

…who passes our car, avoiding eye contact…

Candelabra tree (not a cactus but a euphorbia!)

Baobab tree -- the bark has been stripped by elephants

Baboons playing on the Mwagusi's dry river bed

Old elephant bull collecting palm fruits that he shook from the tree

Camping alongside the Mwagusi river at Ifuguru

Giraffe on Mwagusi river at Mawe ya Fisi

Baobab on banks of the Mwagusi with Kimilamatonge in the background

Female greater kudu antelope crossing road at Kimilamatonge

Elephants crossing road at Kimilamatonge

Changing seasons: Baobabs at Mbagi during dry season…

Changing seasons: Ruaha's central sector during dry season…

Male lion sniffing bush he just scent marked

Female giraffe, escarpement in the background

Can you spot the lion in the Mdonya river?

Lion resting on banks of Mdonya river after killing a hippo

Anna and I watching the drinking elephants

Herd of impalas getting soaked by the downpour

Male lesser kudu antilope hiding in the shrubs

Descending from the escarpment towards the Mwagusi river

Lioness resting in the Mwagusi river; can you spot it?

Jackson our chef prepares a hot breakfast

Our guide has spottet a cheetah; we interupt breakfast to jump in the car

A cheetah has just killed an impala only 200 meters from our breakfast site; can you spot it?

Even harder to spot on this picture -- hint: it is very close

Jabali Private House (photo credit: Asilia)

Jabali Private House -- lounge area (photo credit: Asilia)

Jabali Private House -- poolside dining area (photo credit: Asilia)

Jabali Private House -- kitchen and lounge areas (photo credit: Asilia)

Jabali Private House -- first bedroom and terrace (photo credit: Asilia)

Jabali Private House -- bathroom (photo credit: Asilia)

Jabali Private House -- second bedroom and terrace (photo credit: Asilia)

Jabali Private House -- shower (photo credit: Asilia)

Jabali Private House -- children's bedroom and terrace (photo credit: Asilia)

Young baboon watching us, as we drive by

Elephant herd in the Great Mwagusi river

Wet morning -- view elephant-inflicted baobab in the fore- and Kimilamatonge in the background

Can you spot the cheetah resting on the sand (Mwagusi) river?

Jabali Ridge -- guest room (photo credit: Asilia)

Jabali Ridge -- guest bedroom (photo credit: Asilia)

Jabali Ridge -- bathroom (photo credit: Asilia)

Jabali Ridge -- guest bedroom and terrace (photo credit: Asilia)

Jabali Ridge -- terrace and bedroom (photo credit: Asilia)

Jabali Ridge -- pool area (photo credit: Asilia)

Jabali Ridge -- dinner under the stars (photo credit: Asilia)

Jabali Ridge -- dining area (photo credit: Asilia)

Jabali Ridge -- infinity pool (photo credit: Asilia)

Jabali Ridge -- poolside dining area (photo credit: Asilia)

Male greater kudu in Jongomero acacia forest

Different storks and pelicans in Jongomero river

Jongomero -- view of Jongomero river from guest tent terrace

Ruaha

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