Southern Circuit
Tanzania's Wild, Remote Giant
Ruaha is Tanzania’s largest national park — a vast, rugged wilderness of more than 20,000 km² built around the life-giving Great Ruaha River. Baobab-studded hills, open plains and rocky escarpments give it a raw, untamed character quite different from the polished Northern Circuit.
Far from the crowds, Ruaha is renowned for its exceptional predator numbers and for being a meeting point of eastern and southern African species — the only place you can readily see both greater and lesser kudu.
- One of the largest lion populations in East Africa
- Big elephant herds and dramatic baobab landscapes
- Both greater and lesser kudu, sable and roan antelope
- Wild and uncrowded — a true off-the-beaten-track safari
Good to Know
Ruaha at a Glance
Wildlife You May Spot
Best Time to Visit
The dry season (May–November), when wildlife concentrates along the shrinking Great Ruaha River.
Size
Over 20,000 km² — the largest national park in Tanzania and one of the biggest in Africa.
Famous For
Huge lion prides, greater & lesser kudu, and a remote, crowd-free wilderness feel.
Getting There
Usually reached by a short scheduled flight from Dar es Salaam or the Northern Circuit.
- Lion
- Leopard
- Cheetah
- African wild dog
- Elephant
- Greater kudu
- Lesser kudu
- Sable
- Roan
- Buffalo
Things to Do
How You'll Explore
Ruaha is classic game-drive country, with walking safaris adding an intimate, on-foot dimension to the wilderness. Long days out are rewarded with big-cat sightings and sweeping river views.
- Game-drive safaris along the Great Ruaha River
- Guided walking safaris with armed rangers
- Superb predator and photographic opportunities
- Combine with Nyerere and Mikumi for a full southern loop
Go Wild in the South
Escape the crowds on a southern-circuit safari built around Ruaha’s untamed wilderness.