Few parks in Africa can boast the lion numbers that Ruaha National Park delivers. If lions are at the top of your safari agenda, or if you simply want an off-the-beaten-track experience, then Ruaha is for you. As a safari destination, Tanzania offers a wealth of natural beauty and exciting wildlife. Almost a third of the country has been set aside as national parks, conservation areas, game reserves and controlled areas. These areas are crucial in protecting the countries wildlife and conserving the natural habitat biodiversity. One of the most remarkable of these protected areas, is Ruaha Nation Park.
One of the largest national parks in Tanzania, Ruaha offers a vast, diverse, and seasonal landscape that dramatically transforms between the dry and wet seasons. Grassy plains shift from golden to green, barren baobabs produce leaves and flowers, and dry sandy riverbeds run fast and deep towards the Great Ruaha River. Migrant birds follow the change in season, while the behavior of wildlife reflects the changes in availability of access to water. With only a handful of safari camps in an area larger than the Serengeti, Ruaha offers the discerning traveler a sense of exclusivity amongst some of Tanzania’s finest game viewing.
Wildlife
Activities
Where to stay
- Kiwala is a frontier-style camp, situated on the banks of the dry Mwagusi Sand River, offering a traditional under-canvas safari experience
- Jabali Ridge is perched on a rocky outcrop in one of the best locations the park has to offer. A sophisticated retreat from which to explore the wilderness of Ruaha.
- Jabal private House offers total privacy and complete flexibility in your safari itinerary. With a private safari vehicle and guide, this is the ultimate base for a family of group of friends
- Usangu Expedition Camp offers an immersive, conservation driven experience for the adventurous traveler . Participate in, and contribute towards, ongoing research initiatives in this largely unexplored wetland wilderness.
Wildlife in Kitulo Plateau National Park
Kitulo’s orchids
Internationally, the flower trade in orchids is large. However, the threat to Kitulo’s orchids came from a different source. In the culture of many ethnic groups the harvest of orchid bulbs for food has a long history. They prepare a dish, known as Chikanda or Kinaka, which is similar to a meatless sausage. After the harvest, they dry the tubers. Then they beat and cook them. Originally a rural delicacy, it was eaten more often in increasing quantities and the gathering of orchids for commercial purposes grew dramatically. This trade was a serious risk to orchids in the southern highlands. Because of it, the plateau became a protected national park. Many visitors also come to Kitulo Plateau national park because its vast abundance of wildflowers, birds, and grass-eating mammals.
Kitulo Plateau National Park highlights
Located at an altitude of 2,600 m
Between the peaks of Kipengere, Poroto and Livingstone
Except for a few mountain reedbucks and eland, the occurrence of large animals in Kitulo is not very large. But plants, birds and butterflies make up for life in the park. The rare chimpanzee, blue swallow, red chalk hawk, njembe stalksinger, kipengere seed eater, steppe harrier, zebra, kipunji monkey, chameleon, lizards, frogs, spiders an other small insects are native to the park. Known as “Garden of God” and “Serengeti of Flowers” Facts about Kitulo Plateau National Park
