Ruaha National Park
The name of the park comes from the Great Ruaha River, which flows along its South-Eastern margin and is the focus for game-viewing. The eponymous Great Ruaha River serves as a lifeline for the park’s wildlife.
Ruaha National Park is the largest national park in Tanzania, and it has a truly wild atmosphere that all of our guests love. Relatively untouched, it’s a wilder and more remote park than its southern neighbor Selous Game Reserve and ultimately has the better wildlife, albeit without boating safaris. Safaris here offer superb value for money and some of the best you will find in the country. Located to the west of the Selous Game Reserve and south of the Serengeti, Ruaha’s relative inaccessibility means it gets far fewer tourists than the Selous and less than any comparable park in the Northern circuit. The rewards of traveling this far are a wild landscape with baobab studded hills and rocky escarpments, and with superb wildlife.
The lion viewing is especially rewarding and general predator concentrations across the park are better than many of the other parks in the country. The park is characterized by a semi-arid type of vegetation, baobab trees and acacia, and there are over 1,650 identified plant species. To sum up, Ruaha is an absolutely excellent safari destination and valuable addition to your great Tanzania Safari Holiday.
Best Time to Visit – Ruaha National park
Like the Selous, Ruaha is a classic dry season park. The long, dry season between June and November is the best time to see large mammals and big cats. Game gets progressively better towards the end of the dry season as the water holes and rivers dry up and the game concentrates around water making them much easier to find. June is also breeding season for the Greater Kudu, so you’ll see lots of males with their elegant, twisted horns. In the dry season, visitors can expect to see golden savannah studded with baobabs and misty hills stretching along the horizon. Waterbuck, impala and gazelle come to the river to drink and predators are never far behind. You may spot lions or leopards prowling watchfully along the banks, or cheetah lying in wait on the plains, while skulking jackal and hyena are on the lookout for an opportunity to catch their next meal.
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Activities in Ruaha National Park
Avid bird watchers have an excellent opportunity to view different species of birds. With a sensational mix of southern and northern species, Ruaha’s birdlife is endearingly colorful. When in Tanzania witnessing the bird life is one of an experience. The park boasts of 580 bird varieties including fish eagles, Eleanora’s falcon, goliath herons, crested barbets and black-collared lovebirds. Ruaha also boasts endemic species such as the Tanzanian red-billed hornbill and serves as an important habitat for several critically endangered vulture populations.
Ruaha national park is home to 10% population of lions and is easier to see them when you choose to go on a game drive safari in Rhea. Game drive can be done both in the morning as well as in the evening allowing you to get up close and personal with the predator. Buffalo and elephant herds are found throughout the park but it is the park’s crazy combinations of species from east and southern Africa that excites wildlife enthusiasts. Get to know about the abundant flora and fauna of the Ruhua national park making the best safari destination in Africa.
One of the best things to do in Tanzania is wildlife photography of the endangered species and their way of living. Whether you are a professional of many years, or just a beginner, you will have ample opportunity to practice your technique while on safari. For those who are looking for perfect shots of the wild beasts, a telephoto lens is recommended, and you will see lenses of all lengths and sizes while on safari. To ensure stability sandbags are available in the vehicles, which also have charging facilities.
Tanzania is a land of many lakes and rivers traversing lands rich in wildlife. Exploring the aquatic wildlife on a boat is another level of experience. Boat safari in Tanzania offers an excellent opportunity to get close with the animals such as hippos as well as view a lot of game along the river as they come over for a drink of water. The waterways provide an excellent natural setting for boat safaris and canoeing which is one of the best things to do in Tanzania.
A bush walk safari is an excellent way to explore the wilderness of Africa. An expert ranger guides you along and gives you an insight about the flora, fauna and lush green scenery of Africa. The guiding is superb, and encountering game on foot gives you a fully immersive wilderness experience that is thrilling and memorable. To experience wild endangered species and nature both, bush walking in Tanzania can be an ideal choice to spend your South Africa tour.
Cultural tour in Africa gives you an opportunity to get to know more about the tribal people and their way of living. The villages in Tanzania have been made accessible to the visitors who may have a glimpse of the authentic lifestyle of the more than 120 tribes in rural Tanzania. The country is rich in local history and culture that showcases the visitors the true ethnicity of the people living in different parts. When in Tanzania, experience their habitat and way of living which increases tourism popularity.
Plan your Safari trip to
Tanzania
Whether the appeal of a safari revolves around the wildlife, such as watching the Great Migration or spotting the Big Five, or you want to mark a special occasion, we can create an itinerary to match your tastes. We’ll suggest ways to tailor it depending on your interests, such as added time on the beach or experiences geared around your family.
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Words From Our Happy Clients
ExcellentBased on 132 reviewsVerifiedBeata O2024-03-07Oserok Trips will guarantee your trip to Tanzania is a magical, once in a lifetime experience! If you have been considering a trip to Tanzania, and are still on the fence, I am here to tell you not to worry and go for it! It is a magical place, not only because of the incredible animal and plant life, or the amazing landscapes, but above all, because of the wonderful and friendly people. The man who will guarantee this trip will be an incredible, once in a lifetime experience, is Alpha and his great team at Oserok Trips. Even if you only have a few hours, Alpha will fill them with activities as best as possible, and if you are on a two-week vacation, your time will be organized in great detail according to your needs and interests. Alpha is a wonderful guide and companion for whatever kind of trip you have envisioned. He will pick you up from the airport, arrange accommodation with local residents, answer your questions, take care of you as best as he can, take care of all your needs, and dispel any concerns. Oserok Trips can also recommend various activities in each area you visit, but beyond that they will also show you the details that could easily go unnoticed by visitor. As I write this, I already want to go back, explore the places I didn’t have enough time to see, and smell grass of the Serengeti again. My husband, daughter and I traveled around Tanzania for two weeks. We spent the first eight days with Alpha and his great team, the next with his wonderful life companion and guide Dominika. We drove through Tarangire National Park, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area under the care of Alpha, a skilled driver, and a cook who prepared incredible meals for us even in the middle of the wilderness. There was no moment when we did not feel safe, even when a dozen lions were hunting a buffalo a few meters away from us. We joked that even this amazing event was planned by our guides for 4:06 pm on January 23, 2024. Witnessing such a hunt, of course, can never be guaranteed, but with a team like Oserok Trips, their expert eyes will point out every lion's ear in the waist-deep grass. After some time you too will learn to spot whole groups of animals thanks to their experienced eye! Don’t let the fatigue of travel, the dust and mud, and everything that deviates from the routine of your everyday life, dissuade you from taking this trip. Don’t delay (like us) and the rest will be taken care of by Alpha and his team at Oserok Trips.VerifiedLucy_Anne_Mel2024-01-24Great local community option for those after an authentic experience Communications prompt and accurate - pay attention to the description to ensure it is for you. I had a fantastic day visiting a Maasai tribal village and surrounds but be aware this is not the sort of tour where you "attend a show" of the lifestyle - you join the tribe members for part of their day which I found really interesting and informative despite the language barrier. Employs local staff and supports the community which for me is a bonus. Wouldn't hesitate to book for a longer tour in the area if I get the chance.VerifiedKabi K2023-12-25A nice day to remember Alpha, the manager is very friendly and patient. I had one day for a trip in Arusha with my niece and a small budget and he accommodated my needs. We went to the hotsprings and visited a park that isn't in his offer, but he was able to arrange it. I did not had to take care of anything. In addition, Alpha is.keen to exchange about his rich culture and his full of interesting histories, but he also left us enjoy the activities and understands when you need privacy, I appreciate that. In a nutshell, I really recommend the Oserok trips.VerifiedTriana H2023-10-15Unforgettable experience! Great experience I highly recommend anyone who would like to enjoy a safari in great company! They made the whole experience for me and my family something we’ll never forget and they became part of the family ???? Ashe naleng’ Thanks a lot, the whole family wishes you all the bestVerifiedMary M2023-10-05Waterfalls and coffee My dad and I went on the waterfalls and coffee tour with Alpha and the oserok team this summer. The tour was perfect from start to finish, alpha organized everything better than we could have imagined. He picked us up and took us on a beautiful drive up the mountain and explained/ answered questions about the landscape as we went. On the hike we were with Lebahati, he was a wonderful and charming guide. He was able to keep us going at an enjoyable pace and told us many fun y and interesting facts on the way! The lunch after the hike was great too- many different dishes and we had so much fun learning about local kahawa!! I could’t recommend any other company more!!VerifiedJan M2023-09-22Absolutely wonderful experiences. Highly recommended! We did the Kilimanjaro, 4 days safari and a coffee plantation tour - all with Alpha and his team at Oserok Trips. We are so lucky that we chose his company (based on recommendation from a friend), as our journeys was absolutely wonderful! On Kilimanjaro, they was so helpful making sure that we reach the summit. The food on the mountain was so delicious thanks to Salim - the chef. The whole crew was perfect - always cheering us up, always smiling. And then the safari - Alpha made sure that we get a solid guide/driver who knows everything there is to know about the animals. Always in a good mood, and he spotted animals that we would definitely miss. We saw so many lions, some of them eating their prey and one time we saw the hunt for zebras! We even saw a family of cheetahs. The safari was one of the best experiences of our lives, I'll definitely come back if I ever have children, so they can see it too. And it'll definitely be with Oserok Trips again. Highly recommended, you won't make a mistake!VerifiedNancy G2023-08-26Excellent guide! Nous avons fait deux daytrips avec Alpha : Chemka hotspring et Materuni+Coffee tour. Nous recommandons fortement cette agence locale détenu par un maasai. Nous avons appris énormément sur la culture maasai, les plantes et la vie à Moshi durant ces excursions. Pendant la randonnée pour aller à Materuni, il a pris le temps de nous faire découvrir les différentes plantes sur le chemin. Alpha a été à notre écoute et n’a pas hésité à tout mettre en œuvre pour nous satisfaire. Il nous a fait découvrir la nourriture locale, excellente expérience. La bonne humeur et la zen attitude de Alpha sont tellement contagieuses. Et il est aussi un excellent photographe pour ceux qui aiment les jolies photos pendant les excursions ????Verifiedmarco c2023-08-10Trek con Alpha, la miglior guida masai di Moshi! Alpha è un’ottima guida, nonché un personaggio simpatico e affabile, ci ha portati alle falde del Kilimanjaro in un trek in famiglia molto interessante fino alla cascata Materuni. Abbiamo mangiato un pranzo delizioso preparato per noi dalle donne di un villaggio Chagga dove abbiamo poi assistito alla cerimonia del caffè, partecipando anche. Giornata divertente, con Alfa che è colto e preparato, lo consigliamo a tutti.VerifiedEline E2023-07-22Inoubliable !! C'est la 2éme fois que nous faisons appel à Oserok Alpha a été très convivial et bienveillant avec tous les membres du groupe. Les guides sont disponibles et attentionnés. Nous avons apprécié ce circuit de 2 parcs avec une une nuit au campement Kizumba, tout était impeccable. Belle surprise avec des déjeuners à table tout confort en face du bassin aux hippopotames. Alpha est vraiment précautionneux, il a été très disponible en amont pour la préparation de ce voyage (voyage associatif pour 12 personnes) Rapport qualité prix au top.VerifiedKristina D2023-03-16Materuni waterfall and coffe trip we went to Materuni waterfall and on a coffee tour with Alfi as guide☺️ It was a fantastic experience with beautiful nature! Alfi gave us extensive information along the way about the place and the flora. We later got to make coffee with the local population, which was great fun and educational. The day also included a traditional Swahili lunch which was very good???? Really recommend! not a crazy price either!
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