Ruaha for families

Ruaha works for families with some planning.

Suitability: ★★★★★

Ruaha is a vast park of over 20,000 km² in south-central Tanzania. It is remote and uncrowded, and its flora and fauna mix East and Southern African species.

Why Ruaha for families?

• It is a malaria area, so check with your paediatrician and choose lodges with mosquito nets.
• A short domestic flight can replace a long road transfer.
• Some camps and activities have minimum ages, so confirm with the provider before booking.

What awaits you in Ruaha

• One of Tanzania's largest parks, with low visitor numbers
• Greater and lesser kudu; Ruaha is the southern limit of lesser kudu
• Large lion and elephant populations
• Guided walking safaris
• The Great Ruaha River

Wildlife you may encounter: lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras and hippos.

Suggested time on the ground: 3 to 4 days. Most visitors fly by light aircraft from Dar es Salaam or other parks to airstrips inside Ruaha; the road route via Iringa town is long.

Activities that fit

game drives, birdwatching and camping.

When to go

The best period overall is August to October. For quieter months and often better value, try May to June and October to November.

Dry season; wildlife concentrates along the Great Ruaha River, and October is very hot.

Other destinations for families

• Addo South Africa
• Ngorongoro Tanzania
• Pilanesberg South Africa
• Victoria Falls Zimbabwe
• Akagera Rwanda
• Kruger South Africa

Full Ruaha guideBest safaris for families

No trips are listed for this destination yet. Send a request and we will check with providers.

Sources: TANAPA - Ruaha National Park · SafariBookings - Ruaha climate · Climates to Travel - Tanzania (Iringa normals)
Figures are approximate averages and vary from year to year.