Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park, Tanzania's largest, spans a staggering 20,226 square kilometers of pristine wilderness in the country's heartland. This remote park sees far fewer visitors than northern circuit destinations, offering those who venture here an authentic, untouched safari experience reminiscent of Africa decades ago.

The Great Ruaha River forms the park's lifeline, sustaining incredible wildlife concentrations during the dry season. Ruaha protects one of Tanzania's most significant elephant populations, with estimates suggesting 12,000 individuals - you'll often encounter super-herds numbering hundreds of elephants.

Predator enthusiasts rate Ruaha among Africa's finest destinations. The park hosts exceptional lion prides (10% of Tanzania's total population), substantial leopard numbers, significant cheetah populations, and rare African wild dog packs. This concentration creates unparalleled opportunities for observing predator-prey dynamics.

Ruaha sits at the transition zone between Eastern and Southern African biomes, creating unique biodiversity. Species found nowhere else in Tanzania thrive here, including greater and lesser kudu, sable and roan antelope, and over 570 bird species including endemics.