5 Days Safari to Ruaha National Park
About Ruaha National Park
The park history dates back to 1910 when it was gazetted Saba Game Reserve by the Germany then the name was changed by British to Rungwa Game reseve in 1946. In 1964 the southern portion of the Game was gazetted as Ruaha national park and in 1974 a small section of South Eastern part of the Great Ruaha River was incorporated into the park. The name “Ruaha” originates from the Hehe word “Ruvaha”, which means “river”. Ruaha National Park is part of Rungwa-Kizigo –Muhesi ecosystem which covers more than 45,000km2. In 2008 Usangu game Reserve and other important wetlands in Usangu basin have been annexed into the park, making it the largest park in Tanzania and East Africa with an area of about 20,226km2.
Ruaha National Park is believed to have high concentration of elephants than any national park in East Africa. It is also a place where, magnificent mammals like Kudu (both Greater and Lesser), Sable and Roan antelopes can easily be spotted in Miombo woodland. The male Kudu have beautiful spiraled horns while male Sable antelope have impressive curved horns. The park is also a habitat for endangered wild dogs. Other animals in the park include lions, leopards, cheetah, giraffes, zebras, elands, impala, bat eared foxes and Jackals.
Day 1: – Pick Up and Transfer to Ruaha
You will be picked up from Morogoro town or Dar Es Salaam (advise place of pick up) and you will start your trip to Ruaha National Park via Iringa town. This trip is expected to take up to a maximum of 8 hours of driving. You will have two stops for refreshments and lunch on the way to Ruaha. This day will be dedicated to traveling and making sure that you get to Ruaha National Park. When you arrive at the park you will be checked in and taken to the Park cottages/Bandas for dinner and over night stay, ready for safari in the next day.
Day 2: – Full Day Game Drive
Ruaha is still very rich in different animal species especially the cats compared to other parks found in the Tanzania southern tourism circuit. Ruaha is a habitat for Lions, Leopards and Cheetah. But also other animals of interests found in this park includes Bat eared foxes, Jackals and endangered wild dogs. On this day you will leave early at 06:30 hours to go for sunrise game drive with parked breakfast and lunch boxes. Will continue with game drive searching for wild animals around different locations of the park till lunch break. After lunch and a little rest within the park you will continue with the game drive till around 18:00 hours when you will go back to the cottages for dinner and overnight stay. Other animals and attractions you should expect to see includes but not limited to Buffalos, Giraffe, Wildebeest, Zebras, Impalas, Warthogs, elephants, hippos, different birds, plants and
reptiles species.
Day 3: Full Day Game Drive
Ruaha is very big compared to other parks early in the morning of this day you will continue with game drive starting at 07:00 after breakfast to be able to visit other areas. With lunch boxes you will go around the park to cover other parts/areas which were not covered during the first day of game drive. Accompanied with
experienced guides you will be able to explore different areas whereby the possibilities of spotting animals are high and at the same time enjoying other attractions available within the park. You will go on with game drive till late in the evening when you will have sunset drive while going back to the cottages for dinner and over night stay.
Day 4: Walking Safari and Relaxing
This day will be dedicated to a walking safari within the park so that you can enjoy different attractions while walking on foot accompanied by a park ranger and a guide. Will come back to the cottages for lunch and you will have time to relax around the lodge.
Day 5: Transfer back to Morogoro town or Dar Es Salaam
Early morning of this day you will leave Ruaha National Park to be taken back to Dar es Salaam or Morogoro. This trip will take you via Iringa town to Morogoro town or Dar es Salaam. You will have stops for refreshments and lunch on the way. When you arrive in Morogoro you will be taken to a place of your choice and that will be the end of your safari with Watu Safaris.
TRIP COSTS: For a free quotation drop us an email today at info@watusafaris.com
What is Included: Vehicle for pick up and transfer with English speaking driver, Accommodation at park cottages/bandas within the park, Park entrance fees, safari vehicle, all meals and refreshments (water/soda/juice), walking fees and park ranger fees (during walking safari).
Not Included: Travel, Health and personal accidents insurance, Items of personal nature (Alcohol drinks, cigarettes, phone calls), Flights to and out of Tanzania, Visa fees – Departure tax (If any), Extra excursions/activities, tips and gratuities.
