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© Isaac Kilusu

Ruaha National Park

-7.54781 , 34.88594

Tanzania

Ruaha Np is one of the best kept wildlife secrets in Tanzania. Located just 130 km west of Iringa town and covering an area of 20220 km sq, it is the second largest protected area in east africa after the recently described Nyerere national park which is also in southern Tanzania. This park is one of the best to watch birds any time of the year, with over 571 recorded species this IBA(important bird area) hosts some of the birds most sought out by birdwatchers, 25 out of the 77 somali-maasai arid biome birds have been recorded here. The habitat is predominantly Miombo woodlands, acacia and dry scrub. The great Ruaha river from which the park takes its name is the lifeline of the wildlife in the park during the dry season. There is nothing so enchanting as enjoying your birding holiday in this undisturbed wilderness with a large concentration of elephants which is second to none in Africa.

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were changed by Stephen Matthews : -7.5478/34.8859 (2025-11-03 07:12:09 )

Coordinates were changed by Stephen Matthews : -7.5478/34.8859 (2025-11-03 07:09:48 )

Coordinates were changed by Isaac Kilusu : -7.5478/34.8859 (2021-08-09 14:19:40 )

Site name was changed by Isaac Kilusu into "Ruaha National Park" (2021-08-09 14:19:40 )

Coordinates were set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : -7.5602/34.8959 (2020-12-04 11:15:14 )

Site name was set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) as "Ruaha NP" (2020-12-04 11:15:14 )

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-03 07:12:09
Ruaha Np is one of the best kept wildlife secrets in Tanzania. Located just 130 km west of Iringa town and covering an area of 20220 km sq, it is the second largest protected area in east africa after the recently described Nyerere national park which is also in southern Tanzania. This park is one of the best to watch birds any time of the year, with over 571 recorded species this IBA(important bird area) hosts some of the birds most sought out birds by birdwatchers, 25 out of the 77 somali-maasai arid biome birds have been recorded here. The habitat is predominantly Miombo woodlands, acacia and dry scrub. The great Ruaha river from which the park takes its name is the lifeline of the wildlife in the park during the dry season. There is nothing so enchanting as enjoying your birding holiday in this undisturbed wilderness with a large concentration of elephants which is second to none in Africa.
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-03 07:09:48
Ruaha Np is one of the best kept wildlife secrets in Tanzania. Located just 130 km west of Iringa town and covering an area of 20220 km sq, it is the second largest protected area in east africa after the recently described Nyerere national park which is also in southern Tanzania. This park is one of the best to watch birds any time of the year, with over 571 recorded species this IBA(important bird area) hosts some of the most sought out birds by birdwatchers, 25 out of the 77 somali-maasai arid biome birds have been recorded here. The habitat is predominantly Miombo woodlands, acacia and dry scrub. The great Ruaha river from which the park got its takes its name from is the lifeline of the wildlife in the park during the dry season. There is nothing so enchanting as enjoying your birding holiday in this undisturbed wilderness with a large concentration of elephants which is second to none in Africa.
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-01 12:12:05
Ruaha Np is one of the best kept wildlife secret secrets in Tanzania.Tanzania. Located just 130 km west of iringa Iringa town and covering an area of 20220 km sq sq, it is the second largest protected area in east africa after the recently described Nyerere national park which is also in southern tanzania.Tanzania. This park is one of the best to watch birds anytime any time of the year,with year, with over 571 recorded species this IBA(important bird area)host area) hosts some of the most sought out birds by birdwatchers,25 birdwatchers, 25 out of the 77 somali-maasai arid biome birds has been have been recorded here.here. The habitat is predominantly Miombo woodlands,acacia woodlands, acacia and dry scrub.scrub. The great ruaha Ruaha river which the park got its name from is the lifeline of the wildlife in the park during the dry season.season. There is nothing so enchanting like enjoying as enjoying your birding holiday in this undisturbed wilderness with large concentration of elephants which is close to second to none in africa.Africa.
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-08-02 14:25:06
Ruaha Np is one of the best kept wildlife secret in Tanzania.Located just 130 km west of iringa town and covering an area of 20220 km sq it is the second largest protected area in east africa after the recently described Nyerere national park which is also in southern tanzania.This park is one of the best to watch birds anytime of the year,with over 571 recorded species this IBA(important bird area)host some of the most sought out birds by birdwatchers.birdwatchers,25 out of the 77 somali-maasai arid biome birds has been recorded here.The habitat is predominantly Miombo woodlands,acacia and dry scrub.The great ruaha river which the park got its name from is the lifeline of the wildlife in the park during the dry season.There is nothing enchanting like enjoying your birding holiday in this undisturbed wilderness with large concentration of elephants which is close to none in africa.
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-08-02 14:16:36
Ruaha Np is one of the best kept wildlife secret in Tanzania.Located just 130 km west of iringa town and covering an area of 20220 km sq it is the second largest protected area in east africa after the recently described Nyerere national park which is also in southern tanzania.This park is one of the best to watch birds anytime of the year,with over 571 recorded species this IBA(important bird area)host some of the most sought out birds by birdwatchers.The habitat is predominantly Miombo woodlands,acacia and dry scrub.The great ruaha river which the park got its name from is the lifeline of the wildlife in the park during the dry season.

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Knob-billed Duck (Sarkidiornis melanotos)
African Black Duck (Anas sparsa)
Purple-crested Turaco (Gallirex porphyreolophus)
Bare-faced Go-away-bird (Crinifer personatus)
Fiery-necked Nightjar (Caprimulgus pectoralis)
Freckled Nightjar (Caprimulgus tristigma)
Gray Crowned-Crane (Balearica regulorum)
White-crowned Lapwing (Vanellus albiceps)
Small Buttonquail (Turnix sylvaticus)
Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus)
White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus)
Long-crested Eagle (Lophaetus occipitalis)
African Scops-Owl (Otus senegalensis)
Southern Ground-Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri)
Crowned Hornbill (Lophoceros alboterminatus)
Pale-billed Hornbill (Lophoceros pallidirostris)
Tanzanian Red-billed Hornbill (Tockus ruahae)
Gray Kestrel (Falco ardosiaceus)
Red-bellied Parrot (Poicephalus rufiventris)
White Helmetshrike (Prionops plumatus)
Ashy Starling (Lamprotornis unicolor)
Arnot's Chat (Myrmecocichla arnotti)
Western Violet-backed Sunbird (Anthreptes longuemarei)
Beautiful Sunbird (Cinnyris pulchellus)
Shelley's Sunbird (Cinnyris shelleyi)
Southern Cordonbleu (Uraeginthus angolensis)

White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-08-02 15:16:09)

Bare-faced Go-away-bird (Crinifer personatus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-08-02 15:15:06)

Western Violet-backed Sunbird (Anthreptes longuemarei) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-08-02 15:14:07)

Arnot's Chat (Myrmecocichla arnotti) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-08-02 15:13:27)

Tanzanian Red-billed Hornbill (Tockus ruahae) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-08-02 15:13:15)

Pale-billed Hornbill (Lophoceros pallidirostris) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-08-02 15:12:55)

Ashy Starling (Lamprotornis unicolor) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-08-02 15:12:34)

Small Buttonquail (Turnix sylvaticus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-08-02 15:12:00)

Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-08-02 15:10:39)

Gray Crowned-Crane (Balearica regulorum) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-08-02 15:10:24)

Gray Kestrel (Falco ardosiaceus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-08-02 15:09:46)

Red-bellied Parrot (Poicephalus rufiventris) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-08-02 15:09:03)

Crowned Hornbill (Lophoceros alboterminatus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-08-02 15:06:59)

Long-crested Eagle (Lophaetus occipitalis) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-08-02 15:06:41)

White-crowned Lapwing (Vanellus albiceps) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-08-02 15:05:22)

Southern Ground-Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-08-02 15:03:55)

Purple-crested Turaco (Gallirex porphyreolophus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-08-02 15:03:25)

Knob-billed Duck (Sarkidiornis melanotos) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-08-02 15:02:53)

African Black Duck (Anas sparsa) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-08-02 15:02:35)

White Helmetshrike (Prionops plumatus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-08-02 15:01:52)

Southern Cordonbleu (Uraeginthus angolensis) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-08-02 15:01:08)

African Scops-Owl (Otus senegalensis) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-08-02 15:00:02)

Shelley's Sunbird (Cinnyris shelleyi) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-08-02 14:58:55)

Beautiful Sunbird (Cinnyris pulchellus) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-08-02 14:58:23)

Fiery-necked Nightjar (Caprimulgus pectoralis) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-08-02 14:56:27)

Freckled Nightjar (Caprimulgus tristigma) was added by Isaac Kilusu (2021-08-02 14:55:43)

  • Timing and strategy

Ruaha national park being one of the driest protected areas in Tanzania can be visited any time of the year, even during the march-april long rains, the area tends to be hot and dry. A 2-4 night stay in one of the camps within the park will offer you the best exciting birding experience. Plan your game drives on an early morning and late in the evening outing basis, but in some occasions you will need to do a full day, depending on how far you will be going from the camp. The village weaver birding tours (villageweaverbirding@gmail.com) takes a selection of trips to this site and the nearby udzungwa Np, kilombero valley, Rubeho Mountains, Uluguru and magombera forest. You can also get in touch with one of asilia guides top birders who is a resident guide here at davidmivonyi@gmail.com or +255 762 431 483

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-03 07:10
Ruaha national park being one of the driest protected areas in Tanzania can be visited any time of the year, even during the march-april long rains, the area tends to be hot and dry. A 2-4 night stay in one of the camps within the park will offer you the best exciting birding experience. Plan your game drives on an early morning and late in the evening outing basis, but in some occasions you will need to do a full day, depending on how far you will be going from the camp. The village weaver birding tours (villageweaverbirding@gmail.com) takes a selection of trips to this site and the nearby udzungwa Np, kilombero valley, Rubeho Mountains, Uluguru and magombera forest. You can also get intouch in touch with one of asilia guides top birders who is a resident guide here at davidmivonyi@gmail.com or +255 762 431 483
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-01 12:13
Ruaha national park being one of the driest protected area areas in Tanzania can be visited anytime any time of the year year, even during the march-april long rains,the rains, the area tend tends to be hot and dry.dry. A 2-4 night stays in stay in one of the camps within the park will offer you with the best exciting birding experience.experience. Plan your game drives on an early morning and late in the evening outing basis, but in some occasions you will be required need to do a full day day, depending on how far you will be going from the camp.camp. The village weaver birding tours (villageweaverbirding@gmail.com)takes com) takes a selection of trips to this site and the nearby udzungwa Np, kilombero valley, Rubeho Mountains, Uluguru and magombera forest.You can also get intouch with one of asilia guides top birder birders who is a resident guide here at davidmivonyi@gmail.com or +255 762 431 483
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-08-09 14:12
Ruaha national park being one of the driest protected area in Tanzania can be visited anytime of the year even during the march-april long rains,the area tend to be hot and dry.A 2-4 night stays in one of the camps within the park will offer you with the best exciting birding experience.Plan your game drives on early morning and late in the evening outing basis, but in some occasions you will be required to do a full day depending on how far you will be going from the camp.The village weaver birding tours takes (villageweaverbirding@gmail.com)takes a selection of trips to this site and the nearby udzungwa Np, kilombero valley, Rubeho Mountains, Uluguru and magombera forest.You can also get intouch with one of asilia guides top birder who is a resident guide here at davidmivonyi@gmail.com or +255 762 431 483
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-08-02 14:34
Ruaha national park being one of the driest protected area in Tanzania can be visited anytime of the year even during the march-april long rains,the area tend to be hot and dry.A 2-4 night stays in one of the camps within the park will offer you with the best exciting birding experience.Plan your game drives on early morning and late in the evening outing basis, but in some occasions you will be required to do a full day depending on how far you will be going from the camp.The village weaver birding tours takes a selection of trips to this site and the nearby udzungwa Np, kilombero valley, Rubeho Mountains, Uluguru and magombera forest.You can also get intouch with one of asilia guides top birder who is a resident guide here at davidmivonyi@gmail.com or +255 762 431 483
  • How to get there

There are several chartered flights from Dar es salaam, arusha, kigoma, tanga, Zanzibar etc to either the jongomero or msembe airstrip, check Coastal air website or Auric air for more information. You can also drive from Dar es salaam (625km) or from iringa (130km) on a dirt road. if you are using public transport you will take buses from iringa bus terminal going towards tungamalenga village which might take up to 6 hours and will cost you around 5usd. Taxis can also be hired which will be a little bit expensive but also comfortable.

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-03 07:11
There are several chartered flights from ar from Dar es salaam, arusha, kigoma, tanga, Zanzibar etc to either the jongomero or msembe airstrip, check Coastal air website or Auric air for more information. You can also drive from Dar es salaam (625km) or from iringa (130km) on a dirt road. if you are using public transport you will take buses from iringa bus terminal going towards tungamalenga village which might take up to 6 hours and will cost you around 5usd. Taxis can also be hired but which will be a little bit expensive but also comfortable.
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-01 12:15
There are several charted chartered flights from  dar from ar es salaam,arusha,kigoma ,tanga, salaam, arusha, kigoma, tanga, Zanzibar etc to eitheir either the jongomero or msembe airstrip,check airstrip, check Coastal air website or auric Auric air for more information.you information. You can also drive from Dar es salaam (625km)or (625km) or from iringa(130km)on iringa (130km) on a dirt road.road. if you are using public transport you will take buses from iringa bus terminal going towards tungamalenga village it might which might take upto up to 6 hours and will cost you around 5usd,taxis 5usd. Taxis can also be hired but will be alittle a little bit expensive but also comfortablecomfortable.
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-08-02 14:40
There are several charted flights from  dar es salaam,arusha,kigoma ,tanga, Zanzibar etc to eitheir the jongomero or msembe airstrip,check Coastal air website or auric air for more information.you can also drive from Dar es salaam (625km)or from iringa(130km)on a dirt road.if you are using public transport you will take buses from iringa bus terminal going towards tungamalenga village it might take upto 6 hours and will cost you around 5usd,taxis can also be hired but will be alittle bit expensive but also comfortable

The most practical aproach is from tungamalenga village to the park headquarters at msembe near msembe airstrip. The park is open any time of the year and park fees are payable at the entrance gate at 30 usd per person per day and 10,000 for east africans, but park fees are subject to change.

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-03 07:12
The best most practical aproach is from tungamalenga village to the park head quarters headquarters at msembe near msembe airstrip.airstrip. The park is open anytime any time of the year and park fees are payable at the entrance gate at 30 usd per person per day and 10,000 for east africans,but africans, but park fees are subject to changechange.
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-08-02 14:48
The best practical aproach is from tungamalenga village to the park head quarters at msembe near msembe airstrip.The park is open anytime of the year and park fees are payable at the entrance gate at 30 usd per person per day and 10,000 for east africans,but park fees are subject to change
  • Other attractions

Big herds of Elephants, Baobab, lions, cheetah, serval, jackals, caracals, endangered wilddog, a visit to a maasai boma at tungamalenga village etc etc.

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-01 12:17
Big herds of Elephants, Baobab,lions,cheetah,serval,jackals,caracals, Baobab, lions, cheetah, serval, jackals, caracals, endangered wilddog,a wilddog, a visit to a maasai boma at tungamalenga village etc etcetc.
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-08-02 14:49
Big herds of Elephants, Baobab,lions,cheetah,serval,jackals,caracals, endangered wilddog,a visit to a maasai boma at tungamalenga village etc etc

There are several camps and lodges and also camping facilities and bandas. Some of the best camps are those of asilia property which include kwihala camp and jabali ridge camp with a private house. Others are jongomero camp and mwagusi river camp.

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-01 12:16
There are several camps and lodges and also camping facilities and bandas.one of Some of the best camps are those of asilia property which is kwihala include kwihala camp and jabali ridge camp with a private house.others house. Others are jongomero camp and mwagusi river campcamp.
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-08-02 14:52
There are several camps and lodges and also camping facilities and bandas.one of the best camps are those of asilia property which is kwihala camp and jabali ridge camp with a private house.others are jongomero camp and mwagusi river camp

There are dangerous game like lions, buffalos and elephants. Also some insects are dangerous so always have an insect repellent.

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-01 12:17
There are dangerous game like lions ,buffalos lions, buffalos and elephants.also elephants. Also some insects are dangerous so always have an insect repellentrepellent.
Edited by Isaac Kilusu on 2021-08-02 14:53
There are dangerous game like lions ,buffalos and elephants.also some insects are dangerous always have an insect repellent
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Ruaha National Park - Orniverse