At 12 950km˛, Ruaha is only marginally smaller than
the Serengeti, and is pristine and untouched Africa,
unsullied by minibus tourism and large lodges with
electric lights, discotheques and glitzy curio shops.
Infested with tsetse fly, Ruaha is bordered in the
north by the Kizigio and Rungwa River Game Reserves,
and together they form a 26 500km˛ conservancy, one
of the biggest in East Africa. By road, it is a five
hour journey from Iringa, but there is also an
airstrip at Msembe for fly-in safaris. The best months
to visit are from July to November when the animals
congregate around the water holes, but the park is
stunning all year round. Ruaha is visually a treat,
with rocky outcrops and mountain ranges giving it a
topography that ranges from 750m to 1 900m on the peak of Ikungu Mountain, and the focal
point of the reserve is the Great Ruaha River, with
its deep gorges, swirling rapids – and excellent
fishing. With over 10 000 elephant, 30 000
buffalo, 20 000 zebra and huge populations of lion and
leopard (not to mention more than 400 bird species)
Ruaha is a naturalist’s paradise.
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Mini migration of Wildebeest
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