Ruaha National Park, Tanzania

Ruaha National Park is the largest national park in Tanzania. It covers an area of about 13,000 square kilometres (5,000 sq mi).[1] It is located in the middle of Tanzania about 130 kilometres (81 mi) from Iringa. The park is part of a more extensive ecosystem, which includes Rungwa Game Reserve, Usangu Game Reserve, and several other protected areas. The name of the park is derived from the Great Ruaha River, which flows along its south-eastern margin and is the focus for game-viewing. The park can be reached by car via Iringa and there is an airstrip at Msembe, park headquarters.

The Ruaha National Park is famous for its large population of elephants, with about 10,000 roaming the park. It is also frequented by birdwatchers, with 436 species having been identified of an estimated total of 475. Among the resident birds are different species of Hornbills, Kingfishers and Sunbirds. Also many migrants visit Ruaha, e.g. the White Stork

Other special animals in Ruaha are the African Wild Dog and the Sable Antelope. Rhinoceros were last been sighted in 1982 and are probably extinct in the park due to poaching.

The best times to visit for predators and large mammals is the dry season (May–December) and for birds and flowers, the wet season (January–April).