Ruaha National Park – The Wild Heart of Tanzania

Remote, rugged, and awe-inspiring, Ruaha National Park is Tanzania’s best-kept safari secret — a land of dramatic landscapes, untamed wilderness, and extraordinary wildlife. As the largest national park in East Africa, Ruaha remains wonderfully wild and exclusive, offering an authentic safari experience for those who seek solitude, adventure, and a deep connection with nature. With Golden Acacia Safaris, your journey through Ruaha is one of discovery, elegance, and raw African beauty.

Ruaha’s vast wilderness spans over 20,000 square kilometers, forming part of a larger ecosystem that supports one of the greatest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. The park’s landscapes are breathtaking — rolling hills, sweeping plains, and ancient baobab trees that stand like sentinels over the savanna. The Great Ruaha River winds gracefully through the park, sustaining life year-round and creating an oasis where wildlife gathers in abundance.

This extraordinary park is home to an impressive diversity of animals. It boasts Tanzania’s largest elephant population, along with vast herds of buffalo, zebra, giraffe, impala, and kudu. Ruaha is also a predator stronghold — lions, leopards, cheetahs, and the rare African wild dog all roam freely here. The park’s lion prides are among the largest in East Africa, and sightings of these magnificent cats along the riverbanks are unforgettable. Birdlife in Ruaha is equally spectacular, with over 570 recorded species, making it a paradise for birdwatchers and photographers alike.

Ruaha offers a true sense of wilderness that few parks can match. Because it is less visited than the northern circuit parks, every safari feels private and intimate. Here, you can enjoy uninterrupted game drives, guided walking safaris, and even night drives in some areas — experiencing nature in its most authentic form. The sounds of the bush are your soundtrack: the distant roar of a lion, the call of an eagle, and the rustling of elephants through the trees.

With Golden Acacia Safaris, your Ruaha experience blends the rawness of the wild with the comfort of luxury. Our hand-selected lodges and camps are located in prime areas, offering stunning views of the river, open plains, or baobab-dotted hills. Expect elegant tented suites, fine dining under the stars, and warm, personalized service. Every moment is curated to bring you closer to nature while ensuring an experience of complete relaxation and refinement.

The best time to visit Ruaha National Park is during the dry season from June to October, when animals gather around water sources and game-viewing is exceptional. The green season, from November to May, transforms the park into a lush paradise — perfect for birdwatching, photography, and enjoying the vibrant colors of the bush.

Ruaha pairs beautifully with Nyerere National Park and Mikumi, forming part of the ultimate Southern Tanzania safari circuit. It’s easily accessible by light aircraft from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar, offering seamless travel between the bush and the beach.

With Golden Acacia Safaris, explore the majestic wilderness of Ruaha — a place where the landscapes are vast, the wildlife is abundant, and every sunrise feels like a gift from the wild heart of Africa.