Ruaha National Park
Ruaha is an astonishing park which offers a fascinating variety of landscapes and un touched nature. Ruaha, at 10,300sq km, is a naturalist’s paradise which provides even the most experienced travelers with something new. The undulating topography, glorious river and majestic trees combine to produce one of Africa’s most captivating landscapes. Situated in central Tanzania, the Ruaha National Park is the second biggest park in Tanzania. Ruaha National Park forms the core of a wild and extended ecosystem covering about 40,000 sq km and provides home to Tanzania’s largest elephant population. In addition to the elephants, which are estimated to number about 12,000, Tanzania’s largest national park hosts large herds of buffaloes, greater and lesser kudus, Grant’s gazelles, wild dogs, ostriches, cheetahs, roan and sable antelopes, and more than 400 different types of birds. Ruaha is notable for its wild and striking topography, especially around the Great Ruaha River, which is its heart. Much of this topography is undulating plateau averaging about 900m in height with occasional rocky outcrops and stands of baobabs. Mountains in the south and west reach to about 1600m and 1900m, respectively. Running through the park are several ‘sand’ rivers, most of which dry up during the dry season, when they are used by wildlife as corridors to reach areas where water remains.
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July is the start of the peak season for travelling to Tanzania. The migration is heading towards Kenya, and elephants are gathering at Tarangire National Park. Visitors can avoid the crowds and high season prices by visiting the more remote parks on the southern safari circuit, like Ruaha and Selous. Visitors are advised to book early to have their preferred choice of lodge. July is also a good time to visit Zanzibar, as it is a bit cooler than the December to March period, but still dry. Nights, evenings, and mornings can also be cooler on the mainland, so some warmer clothes should be taken for early morning safari drives and sundowners in the bush.
Dar es Salaam, meaning The Haven of Peace in Arabic, has one of the best deep natural harbours in the world. From a small Swahili town in the middle of the 19th century, Dar es Salaam has grown into a large metropolitan centre with a population of over 3,500,000 dwellers. The city population represents the over 120 tribes of Tanzania with their different cultural backgrounds coming together, alongside the oriental civilizations from the far and middle east, and the Europeans including early Portuguese visitors in the 16th Century, the Germans and later the British. All cultures at one time or another passed through Dar es Salaam. It is necessary to visit Dar es Salaam to understand the secret of letting different cultures live together in absolute harmony. Being the commercial capital of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam is also the main gateway to the nature reserves of southern Tanzania, which include the Selous Game Reserve and the National Parks of Mikumi, Ruaha and Udzungwa Mountains, Saadani and Kitulo. It also serves as a convenient connection for travel to the islands of Mafia, Zanzibar and Pemba both by sea and air. A city tour of Dar es Salaam will take you to the National Museum, Nyerere Cultural Centre, the Village Museum, Mwenge Wood Carvings Market, and the Magogoni Fish Market, among other interesting spots.
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When is the best time to go on an African safari?
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One of the top questions travellers ask is ‘When is the best time for a safari in Tanzania?’ While there are definitely popular tourism seasons, other factors depend on one’s personal preference. Read on to discover your ideal season to visit Tanzania, based on your tastes and travel interests
The best season to visit Tanzania is during the long dry season, which falls from July to September. These are considered the best months for safaris, the Great Migration, trekking, and beach holidays in Zanzibar. Of course, these months are peak travel season. They will be busier, and some lodges, hotels, and parks will apply higher rates. If you prefer a more secluded experience, consider visiting during the short rainy season from the end of October to December. If possible, you'll want to avoid visiting during the long rainy season from March to May. The rains are often heavy and sudden, which can result in activities being cancelled last minute.
Other destinations may have traditional summer, winter, fall, and spring seasons, but Tanzania is situated near the equator and the Indian Ocean, meaning that its weather patterns are equatorial and tropical. There are two distinct seasons in Tanzania: wet and dry. The wet season is the rainy season, while the dry season is sunny and sometimes hot. Each season has its pros and cons, which are discussed further below.
When selecting your safari dates, keep in mind that Tanzania’s weather typically fits into these seasons, however, it is fairly common to experience sunny afternoons after a morning of rain during Tanzania’s wet season and occasionally rain during the dry season.
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Tanzania Safari Accommodation
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Tented camps suit clients who want to experience a truly authentic safari and immerse themselves in the wilderness. It offers you the change of seeing wildlife close by. The camps are in general smaller and more intimate than lodges. They are set in stunning locations with great game viewing. Don’t let the word ‘tent’ mislead you. Many tented camps are luxurious properties offering the same, or even better, comfort levels as the lodges. You can expect private spacious tents on decking platforms, with comfortable beds, furniture, flush toilets, en-suite bathrooms and sometimes a pool. Often they are more exclusive than lodges, which is the reason they sometimes cost more than a lodge. There are two types of tented camps: permanent and mobile. The permanent tented camps allow greater infrastructure and facilities, such as larger tents, more comfortable furnishings, flush toilets, 24-hour lighting and more staff. The advantage of mobile tented camps is that it allows guests to follow the wildlife and be as close to animals as possible.
Lodges are perfect for travellers who like comfort and ease and to sleep behind four solid walls. During the day you can enjoy game drives out in the bush and in the evenings all the facilities you would find in a hotel, like a swimming pool, bar, restaurant, gift shops and much more. Safari lodges are permanent facilities with solid walls made of brick and stone or other materials. In general, lodges are much bigger than tented camps. Of course, not all lodges are created equal and they have different levels of comfort and pricing. Most lodges consist of a number of buildings scattered across a plot of land.
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