Destinations
Southern Tanzania

Ruaha

Ruaha is a good place to build a safari around one park rather than a string of quick stops. Plan enough nights to explore, and treat the journey there as part of the itinerary.

Discover This Destination

Suggested Time

Consider 3 nights or more

Good For

A safari focused on one southern park

Ruaha is a good place to build a safari around one park rather than a string of quick stops. Plan enough nights to explore, and treat the journey there as part of the itinerary.

What draws people to Ruaha?

The Great Ruaha River, woodland and baobab country provide different settings for game drives. Wildlife viewing changes with the season and water availability. Spend time watching what you find instead of expecting a fixed list of sightings.

Several nights at one base allow your guide to explore different routes and give you time at the lodge between outings. For a return visitor to Tanzania, Ruaha can make a useful alternative to repeating the northern circuit.

Getting there needs a little planning

Road access from Iringa and flights to park airstrips are possible. Check the current route, flight schedule and camp transfer rather than assuming a same-day connection will fit. The park is a long way from the northern circuit, so combining them needs enough time or carefully planned flights.

Choosing a stay

Start with the part of the park you want to explore and the time you have available. Ruaha River Lodge is one suggested river-area base, shown below with its own details. Guided walks and other additional activities should be checked separately for availability, permits and suitability.

Your Tanzania, Your Way

Make It Your Journey

Share your dates, your people and the places you would like to explore.

Your interests. Your companions. Your pace. We’ll shape the details together.

Activities In This Destination

Giraffes Arusha Tanzania
A Few Hours Or A Tailored Walk
Walking & nature

Walking Safari

Explore tracks, plants and the smaller details of the bush on a guided walk in an approved area.
Photographic Safari — View 1
A Tailored Outing Or Safari Journey
Wildlife

Photographic Safari

Shape the pace, light and time in the field around the photographs you want to make.

Where To Stay

Ruaha River Lodge — View 1
Ruaha National Park · Great Ruaha River

Ruaha River Lodge

Lodge

A safari lodge beside the Great Ruaha River, used as a base for exploring Ruaha National Park. Its river setting gives you somewhere to spend time between game…

Journeys Through This Destination

Nyerere National Park — Tanzania
Private safari
8 days · Private safari
Dar es Salaam / Dar es Salaam

Southern Wilderness Connection — 8 Days

A 8-day southern safari journey through Nyerere, Ruaha, Dar es Salaam, shaped around your dates and pace.

Explore Sonogesa Safaris

Find Your Tanzania.

Search for a destination, safari, stay or activity.