Ruaha National Park
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by: Fred Mlaponi
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Ruaha National park is the second largest of Tanzania's National parks, it covers an area about 12,950sq km and it reaches 1,900m above sea level.
Ruaha is one of the most remote national park in Tanzania it located 130km west of Iringa town. Under German colonial government in1911 the area was established as the part of Sabia Game reserve, and later the area renamed as Rungwa Game reserve. In 1964 Ruaha was gazetted as a National park.
The name Ruaha comes from KiHehe word Luvaha which means River. This River is very important in economy of the country, the river is used for: producing electricity through hydro-electric power from Kidatu dam, fishing and farming. This river joins with the Kilombero River to form Rufiji river.
Ruaha has a hot, dry climate and it receives the annual rainfall of about 500mm which mainly falls between October and May. In the daytime its maximum temperature recorded is not lower than 40 degrees, particularly over October and November.
During the rainy season [January to June ] the bush becomes much greener and prettier,but the best time to visit the park is from May to November. This is because during the wet season the grass is much longer hence the game viewing in the park is not as good and the roads become difficult.
During the winter season [December to April] many birds reach the park. The vegetation ffound in Ruaha can be classified 2 zones. The southern part which is dominated by Miombo and eastern part which dominated by grassy Savannah. Other habitats present and protected within the park include riverine forest along the watercourse, swamps, grassland and acacia woodland. Also several areas of the park produce large number of Baobab trees creating another microhabitat.
There is a high of wildlife in Ruaha National Park due to the various types of vegetation found in the park. Animals found in Ruaha include: Elephant, Zebra, Lion, Giraffe, hunting dog, Ostrich, greater and lesser Kudu Gazelle, Crocodile and Hippo in the river.
Also there are more than 480 species of bird and 100 species of wild dogs found in the park , but about 40 individuals moves into Mwagusi area the best time to visit wild dog is in June or July when they are normally denning, infrequent violet -crested turaco, pare -billed horn bill and falcon are also sighted in the park. as well as pel's fishing owls and several species of bat.
Due to poaching the population of the animals tends to decrease, example the Rhinos which were once found in this park are probably now extinct, the elephant population fell from 22,000 in 1977 to 4,000 in 1987 in 1988 the Government instigated the programme which helps to guard the reserve from poaching this coincide with the international ban on ivory in the early of 1990s, since then the numbers of the animals have rose, up to now the population of elephants thought to be about 70,000. In western part of Ruaha national there is supposed to be Rhinos but their location is kept secret.
Msembe is the bush country which located in Ruaha national park , this area is dominated with acacia, baobab trees as well as you can see elephants. Mwagusi sand river joins Ruaha 10km from Msembe. Along the river during the dry season many animals accumulated and you can see face up of lions, buffaloes, zebras, elephants you are lucky cheetah and leopard. If cross this river and follows the truck you will meet to Mwayemba Hill and the escarpment where there is a salt link . Also Mdonya sand river joins the Ruaha between the ferry and the park headquarters. From ferry toward the south west you will pass the Nyamakuyu and Trekimboga to where the Jongomero joins the Ruaha about 40km upstream. This is the place where you can see hippos and crocodiles as well as Roan and Sable antelopes which are rare to see.
In Ruaha national park there are many camps and lodges which have great value accommodation for the visitor. Such camps is like Mwagusi camp which overlooks the Mwagusi Sands River which does completely dry up, there are still waterholes however which are very attractive to all wildlife to. Also Ruaha River Lodge which located 18km south of Msembe looking over Ruaha river, at the headquarters there is Rondavels and camp site. The best value lodge is Tandala tented camp just outside the park.
The most straight transport to Ruaha National Park is by air from Dar es salaam and from the Selous Game reserve. Ruaha can also be reached by using self drive where the main park entrance gate lies about 100km west of Iringa the road is dirt so it take three hours to cover it, these roads is suitable for 4WD vehicles.
The roads to Ruaha out of Iringa passed through Kalenga, former capital of Chief Mkwawa ,after about 15km, and after another 25km it passes the signposted 11km north to Mlambasi where Mkwawa took is life and where he was buried,and this is the site for centenary memorial which created in 1998. But in order to visit Ruaha it is better to go safari company (especially the first time). I recommend Wild Things Safaris, it provide transports, lodge and other accommodation. of the visitors.
For more information contact Wild Things
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About the Author
Frederick Mlaponi is a Tanzanian Student researcher on work experience with Wild Things Safaris in Tanzania http://www.wildthingsafaris.com.
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