Ruaha Lake and National Park

Ruaha is named after the great Ruaha river. The river plays crucial role as it provides food and drink during the dry season. The banks of the river are really fascinating places where one can see the interactions between predators and their prey within a unique ecosystem. The river banks provide a permanent hunting ground for predators like cheetah, leopard, lion, jackal, hyena, and rare and endangered African wild dogs that prey on kudu, impala, and waterbuck as they risk their life to get sip of life-giving water as the predators are on the hunt. Taking advantage of this are large prides of lions as well as the solitary but no less lethal cheetah and leopards who call the park home.

A vast number of wildlife is to be found at the river bank including antelope, a very large population of greater kudu, elephants. The park’s trees and skies are also home to more than 430 species of birds.

Ruaha offers an untouched ecosystem with very diverse plants, animals, and birds. This makes the park a good choice for visitors wishing to get off the beaten path.

The natural springs at the base of the Western Rift Valley play a vital role to the wildlife in the park during the May to December dry season.

Don’t miss getting a bit of history of Ruaha’s region under the famous and brave Chief Mkwawa, chief of the Hehe tribe, who during the 19th century German invasion fought the colonisers until his last breath. Many sites within the park are believed to be ritual spots and hiding spots for the great chief.

Wildlife:

There are more than 10,000 elephants within the Ruaha National Park; this is believed to be the largest concentration of elephants in any east African national park. African wild dogs, sable antelope, buffalo, lions, cheetah, giraffes, bat-eared foxes and jackals can be spotted throughout the park.

Over 570 species of birds are found in the park, including kingfisher and hornbills.