Located in Tanzania, Ruaha National Park is located in the South west of Tanzania and it happens to be the largest park in this East African country. The park was named after the Great Ruaha River which is a massive water course which bursts its banks over the huge boulders in the rainy season and only dries leaving few pools in the dry season. Tourists flock from far and wide to this great park but you don’t have to worry as the park has vast premises to accommodate you as well as outside park accommodation facilities. Here are the parks greatest tourist attractions which will make you consider the park during your next vacation.
Climate
The park has a unique bimodal type of rain forest that is characterized by the short rains that fall between November to February and the long rains that are between March and April. The park however has a dry season that runs from June to October.
Things to see:
Birds
The park boasts to be home to more than 571 bird species with some of them having migrated from outside African countries. Over the years some migrating species have been spotted to have come from Europe, Asia, Madagascar and the Australian rim. Birds species of interest include the Ruaha red billed hornbill which is also known as Tokus Ruahae.
Animals
The park is believed to be having the highest concentration of elephants than any other park in East Africa, its also home to the greater and lesser Kudus, Sable and Roan Antelopes as well as the endangered wild dogs. Other animals include leopards, lions, jackals, bat eared foxes, impalas, elands, zebra cheetah and giraffes.
Reptiles and Amphibians
The park is also home to a good number of amphibians and reptiles such as the monitor lizards, crocodiles, non poisonous and poisonous snakes, frogs and agama lizards. You can get crocodiles at the great Mzombe River which is their most preferred habitat.
Vegetation
The park has unique vegetation that comprises of baobab trees and acacia among other species. The park has over 1650 species of plants and is also the transition between two great vegetation zones that is the Zambezi vegetation that’s characterized by the famous Miombo vegetation and the Sudanian Vegetation that has the Acacia vegetation as the dominant vegetation.
Physical features
Ruaha park showcases the diversity of physical features which comprise of river systems, wetlands, natural springs, the great Rift Valley, hot water springs as well as kopjes that are found in the undulating landscapes of the National park.
Ruaha National Park Rivers are made of many converging streams of sand rivers which have sparkling clear water on the wet season but are converted to natural game corridors in severe dry seasons. The waters act as a good hunting ground for predators especially lions as they are sure the waterbucks, impalas and Grant gazelles will come to quench their thirst on these waters. You can also spot leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals as well as the endangered African wild dog. There are also a good number of elephant herds which have recently recovered from the massive poaching that was done in the 1980s. At Ruaha expect to see a real transition zone of southern and eastern species of both flora and fauna. Visit the park and you will never regret being in Africa.
