|
Don't go without this guide written by one of our consultants
|
|
|
Ruaha National Park - Ruaha Safaris and Where to Stay
Ruaha National Park has a drama and atmosphere quite unlike any other Tanzanian park.
Covering 12,950sq km, Ruaha is the second largest National Park in Tanzania after the Serengeti. Ruaha remains fantastically unspoilt, and despite recent new alternatives for staying here, it remains underdeveloped with major tracts still largely inaccessible.
It is an ancient place; its hilly distances are punctuated with distended elephant-battered girths of massive baobabs that live for a thousand years, and a glorious combination of ochre-red earth, pale russet grasses and parched paths of wide sand rivers.
 Click here for Ruaha Lodge Reviews
Ruaha: Planning a safariSuch a vast and fascinating landscape makes it an ideal location for a longer safari, with between four and seven nights recommended, not least to make the flying costs worthwhile.
Trips to Ruaha are often combined with the Selous Game Reserve, as the two locations are complimentary for their differences, and part of the same scheduled flight route.
Ruaha: WildlifeThe joy of Ruaha is its lack of tourists, and thriving, varied wildlife. Ruaha has one of the greatest populations of elephant in any African park, and the dry open hillsides encourage antelope and buffalo to gather into large herds.
This terrain is particularly good for seeing predators, especially lion and potentially leopard, as well as African hunting dog and numerous giraffe and zebra.
To take a closer look at Ruaha; click on our Ruaha video.
Ruaha is the only east African park with both Greater and Lesser Kudu, and sable and roan antelopes and, like the Selous, attractst both East and Southern African wildlife and birds.
Ruaha Lodges We have included all the lodges below ordered by our ranking, and by price. Clicking on any of the links will bring up more information; our detailed view of the lodge, video, photos, key facts, etc. However, since we have been to all these lodges ourselves, we would recommend a phone call or an email to help you to decide where to go.
Ranking
 - Outstanding
 - Very good
 - Good
 - Average
- Poor
| |
|
|
Jongomero Camp
Wildlife around Jongomero has increased over the last few years, raising the camp to our infamous 5 paw rating! It is certainly the most beautiful camp in Ruaha, and due to the fact Jongo is the only lodge in the park with a pool, it earns 5 paws. |
|
|
|
Mwagusi Tented Lodge
A camp that very nearly receives 5 paws, and would have done so in recent years. But, currently, following the departure of two of its best guides, and the recent influx of Italian clients to this camp, we award 4 paws for now...
|
|
|
|
Mdonya Old River Camp
Mdonya is exceptional value, and for that reason alone we rate the lodge 4 paw. Yes, Jongomero or Mwagusi are the places to stay if you can afford them, but for value you just cannot beat Mdonya…a great budget choice and a good combination with Lake Manze in the Selous. |
|
|
|
Kwihala Camp
Kwihala faces such strong competition from Mwagusi, Mdonya and Jongomero (all of which have been in the park substantially longer) that we feel obliged to rate Kwihala 3 paws…..but this lodge is actually very good and after a couple of years in operation we fully expect to see Kwihala raise to 4 paws. |
|
|
|
Ruaha River Lodge
It seems somewhat harsh to only give Ruaha River lodge 2 paws but the lodge is much larger than the other choices here, and safaris may be up to 8 pax per vehicle. It is a good budget option….but considering Mdonya is only a little more, we know where we would prefer to stay! |
|
|
|
| KigeliaIf you are the type that’s been on safari before and looking for an authentic, natural experience, with intimate guiding Kigelia is your place. You don’t get the mass of wildlife in the area that you do in other parts of Ruaha, but they’re the same animals, however, the area feels like it’s all yours. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
