Ruaha National Park

At 8500 mi², Ruaha is Tanzania’s largest national park and also one of its best. And because of its remoteness in the country's south, it is also one of the least visited. Uniquely, the park has numerous plant, bird and mammal species from both Southern and Eastern Africa. Among the miombo woodland, scattered rocky hills and baobab trees, and riverbeds reside great populations of elephant, buffalo, greater and lesser kudu, hippo and crocodiles. Other commonly seen animals include impala, eland, sable and roan antelope, Defassa waterbuck, ostrich, giraffe, lion, leopard, spotted and striped hyena, black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox, and African wild dog (painted wolf). A whopping 573 bird species reside here.

Ruaha is arguably one of the best parks in East Africa for guided walks, especially along the Great Ruaha River. During the dry season (June to October), wildlife moves to and fro the river’s impressive gorges, deep pools and rapids. The black riverbed rocks, golden grasses and baobab trees lining the riverbank provide an excellent backdrop for wildlife photography.