courtsey of mwagusi camp.
Perhaps Tanzania¹s best kept secret, Ruaha and its enlarged conservation area reflects Africa as it once was generations ago; a spectacular and hauntingly beautiful paradise of the natural world and truly one of the finest unspoilt National Parks on the African continent!
Ruaha National Park covers an area of 12,950 sq. kms and is Tanzania's second largest National Park. It forms the core of a much larger (45,000 sq. kms) ecosystem including Rungwa and Kisigo Game Reserves and although it was established in 1910 as part of the Saba Game Reserve it's present boundaries were demarcated as recently as 1964.
The central spine of the Park is the watershed between the Nzombe and Ruaha rivers, with its dramatic escarpment above which are large stretches of miombo woodland. Below this lie undulating plains with vegetation ranging from dry bush country to treeless grasslands, swamps and evergreen forests intersected by the many sand rivers that are such a feature of this area. Ruaha represents a transition zone where eastern and southern species of flora and fauna overlap and in all some 1,650 plant species and over 450 bird species have been recorded within the park itself.
Ruaha is known for its large elephant and buffalo herds and one of its principal attractions lies in being able to see greater and lesser kudu as well as the majestic sable and roan antelope within the same area. As well as an abundance of lion, leopard and cheetah it is also home to the increasingly rare African Hunting Dog.
Ruaha is a great year round park due to its good all weather road network. The South West area of Tanzania where Ruaha is located has the lowest rainfall in Tanzania. June to November is driest with the focus of wildlife viewing around the river courses and permanent waterholes.
Situated in an unique transition zone, where East & Southern African fauna and flora overlap and with its vast, unspoilt wilderness, protecting a variety of species virtually unequalled in East Africa , Ruaha¹s diversity offers a richly rewarding wildlife experience. Amid sculpted rolling hills,
plateaux and riverine and, legendary, majestic Baobab trees, more than 80 species of animal can be found within 45 minutes drive from the Camp, including Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, the enigmatic African Hunting Dog, Warthog, Roan & Sable Antelope, Greater & Lesser Kudu, Hippo and Crocodile, huge herds of Buffalo and large concentrations of Zebra, Giraffe and
Elephant. And, the diversity of bird life in Ruaha, around 460 species,including visits by northern and southern migrants, is extraordinary.
Deep inside Ruaha, nestled into the banks of the Mwagusi Sand River , and where the wildlife is most concentrated, lies this small, twelve banda safari camp (for a good part of the season only nine/ten bandas are sold but the capacity now exists to accommodate larger incentive groups and research groups), owner-run by Chris Fox, a guide of some renown, born and bred in the region.
Attractive thatched "bandas", in keeping with traditional African style, enclose very comfortably furnished tents and spacious en suite facilities. In terms of value, 'Mwagusi' undoubtedly remains the best located camp in the National Park, in the midst of prolific and varied flora
and fauna, and, Chris' knowledge and expertise a factor that enthusiasts for African safari from across the globe constantly seek out!
The Park's 'yellow' season embraces the dry period June to November/ mid-December and its 'green' season, generally December through till March/April. However, travellers should not be dissuaded from visiting in the 'green' season, for the Park is very beautiful during this period:
one sees sizeable aggregations (in the several hundreds) of Elephant,Buffalo , Zebra and Giraffe, and there are more Wild Dog around in the'green' too. Furthermore, for birders, close to 400 species have been recognised during this migratory first quarter of the calendar year.
Ruaha's all weather road network is highly regarded and without the disturbance of lots of other vehicles. One can enjoy quality wildlife viewing in open Landcruisers, invariably seating six, very comfortably and spaciously in three tiers, each guest enjoying an outside seat. Also, from the seclusion of your own verandah; and during walks, accompanied by a
skilled guide.
From the moment you touch down at the local airstrip, the adventure begins!
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NB Walking in the bush is one of the greatest thrills that Africa has to offer and is highly recommended. A couple of excellent Walking Safari options are much favoured in Ruaha but now need to be booked three days in advance to secure the services of a Parks' armed ranger to accompany the group. The minimum age for a guest to join one of these walks is 16 and a maximum of six guests can make up each walk lasting approximately 3 hours: the charge, levied locally, is US$10
per participant + a share of the US$25 ranger fee per group. (subject to increase)
