Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park is in Tanzania.

Culture and History

History

Landscape

Flora and fauna

Climate

Travel to Ruaha National Park - Visa Requirements

From Iringa, you are looking at $120 per day to hire a 4x4 to get there and drive round the park (this includes a driver and the cost of the fuel). This may seem like a lot of money but the drivers are excellent spotters of game and avoid you the misfortune of missing some interesting and hidden animals. Anyway, how else are you going to get there? If your budget allows it you can fly in from Dar (charter) - there is an airstrip in the park.

Fees/Permits

Tours and Getting around Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park tourist attractions and sightseeing

Ruaha National Park city tours

Ruaha National Park souvenirs and shopping

Ruaha National Park Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Ruaha National Park nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs

Ruaha National Park cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels and lodging

Lodging

Note that the below is nearly definitely written by someone who works at the camp and I'm not sure that such descriptions should be included without citation. But I have been to Mwagusi and it is a fine safari camp and I would say one of the best in Tanzania, so maybe they are on the right track if a littel over the top with 'heaven on earth'!

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• Mwagusi Camp. As close to heaven on earth as you can get. Again, the cost may seem high, but if you are after a little luxury, this is the place. The price is $70 per person per night including all food but not drinks (compare that with $500 pp/pn if you are a foreign tourist!) The accommodation is made up of self contained traditional bandas with hot solar showers and flushing conveniences scattered along the Mwagusi Sand River. Inside the banda is the sleeping “tent” fitted out with comfortable bed, desk for writing your journal, etc., truly the height of opulence. Every banda has a veranda overlooking the sand river where you can watch the game wander by in the early morning and evening in unbridled comfort.

A typical day at Mwagusi can consist of the following:

• 07:30 Coffee served in your banda
• 08:00 Early Morning Bird Walk (Can’t tell you how good this is - walking around the park with guides looking at the wildlife whilst watching the sun rise)
• 09:00 Breakfast (Juice, Fruit, Toast, Eggs, Tomatoes, Tea/Coffee etc.)
• Game Drive
• 11:00 Morning Coffee and pastries (if required)
• Game Drive
• 13:00 Lunch (3 courses – e.g. Gaspatcho, Buffet, Dessert and Coffee); Afternoon Game Drive
• 16:00 Afternoon Coffee and pastries (if required)
• Game Drive
• 18:00 Return to Camp, Hot Shower
• 19:30 Cocktails in Sand River around a camp fire, Evening Meal (5 Courses) set in Sand River surrounded by Elephants and Lions within touching distance (I kid you not!)

It is also possible to arrange a days walking safari, although this definitely not for the faint hearted as the guides don’t like to carry guns (make sure you know how to climb a tree)!

Beware of imitations, Mwagusi is universally accepted as the best, most luxurious camp in any of the Tanzanian national parks, and not without good reason.

Camping

You can camp at designated sites in the park, ask at the park gate or at Iringa Info in Iringa town, or for the cheap way to see this fabulous park stay at Chogella campsite in Tungamalenga village near the gate where they can arrange safari vehicle hire much cheaper than you can get it in iringa. It is a really nice safe campsite and they will look after you really well. Get their details at Neema Crafts in Iringa town.

Backcountry

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