National park · Tanzania
Ruaha National Park
Enter Ruaha for about $30 USD per person, drive from Iringa (≈2 h), do the 2‑h Lion Trail in the dry season (June–Oct); avoid rainy months.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
20,000 km² (7,722 sq mi)7,722 sq mi (20,000 km²)
approximate
Established
1910
Best months
Jun–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 11Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Tanzania ↗Apply for the Tanzania e-visa only on the official immigration portal; Zanzibar and, from 1 October 2026, mainland Tanzania each require their own US$44 inbound insurance bought from the state insurer's site.
- Tanzania ↗Carry a yellow fever certificate if you arrive from or connect through a risk country such as Kenya or Ethiopia; see a travel clinic about malaria several weeks ahead.
- Tanzania ↗Plastic carrier bags are banned; leave shop and duty-free plastic bags behind before you arrive.
- Tanzania ↗Light aircraft between parks and to Zanzibar have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator.
- Central Tanzania ↗Ruaha, Mikumi and Udzungwa are national parks with separate entry fees; pay through the official park system, not a roadside agent.
- Central Tanzania ↗Tarmac covers the main Dar es Salaam–Morogoro–Dodoma corridor; most park access roads are gravel and slow in the rains.
At a glance
- Country
- Tanzania
- Area
- 20,000 km² (7,722 sq mi)7,722 sq mi (20,000 km²)
- Park covers roughly 20,226 km² (official Tanzania Parks data); figures may vary by source.
- Established
- 1910
- Best months
- Jun–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Iringa
Ruaha National Park, Tanzania's largest protected area, offers remote wildlife viewing with extensive lion prides, elephant herds and river‑side habitats, accessible via Iringa.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteTanzania National Parks Authority
Size and age
20,000 km² (7,722 sq mi)7,722 sq mi (20,000 km²) · national park since 1910
Park covers roughly 20,226 km² (official Tanzania Parks data); figures may vary by source.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Iringa.
Why go
- Large prides of lions and abundant wildlife in a remote setting.
- Elephant herds and diverse birdlife along the Ruaha River.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprAvoid
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanWet season, hot and humid.
- FebRainfall begins, insects increase.
- MarEarly rains, road may be muddy.
- AprPeak wet, many roads closed.
- MayStart of dry season, cooler days.
- JunDry, good wildlife viewing.
- JulDry, comfortable temperatures.
- AugDry, excellent game spotting.
- SepDry, wildlife concentrated at water.
- OctDry, warm days, good visibility.
- NovRain returns, some tracks slippery.
- DecWet, higher mosquito activity.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LionsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| ElephantsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds (e.g., African fish eagle, weavers)Mar–May | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Wild dogs (rare)Jun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Ruaha headquarters | Gate, visitor centre, fuel station, basic bandas. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Lion Trail area | 2‑hour walking trail near the river with frequent lion sightings. | Open; guide recommended. |
| Mdonya Old River Camp | Lodge on the Ruaha River with river‑view rooms. | Reservation required. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points; exact trailheads may vary.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (foreign visitor) | US$30 | person | Check latest price on Tanzania Parks website. |
| Park entry (Tanzanian citizen) | US$15 | person | Check latest price. |
| 4x4 hire with driver | US$120 | day | Includes fuel; price from Iringa. |
| Guide for game drives | US$10 | day | Recommended for spotting. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$30
- US$15
- US$120
- US$10
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Ruaha National Park – Tanzania Parks before you go.
Park rules
- Off‑road driving
- Only on designated tracks; stray vehicles damage habitats.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; bins are not provided in the field.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited outside designated camp areas.
- Firearms
- Carrying weapons is not allowed for tourists.
- Guides
- Required for any trek beyond the headquarters area.
Where to stay
Near the park
Mdonya Old River Camp
Lodge with river views, meals included.
In the park
Bandas at headquarters
Basic cabins with mosquito nets; self‑catering.
Near the park
Iringa town
Hotels and guesthouses for pre‑park stay.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Malaria high
Lost on remote trails high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Headquarters area reachable by 2‑wheel drive; short walks possible.
- Longer trails require 4x4 and are not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Hire local guides and use park‑run camps.
- Avoid single‑use plastics; refill water bottles.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Ruaha National Park?
Foreign visitors pay about $30 USD per person; Tanzanian citizens pay about $15 USD. Prices should be confirmed on the Tanzania Parks website.
What are the best hikes in Ruaha National Park?
The 2‑hour Lion Trail along the river is popular; a longer 4‑hour Elephant Walk near the headquarters and a 3‑hour Birdwatching walk (Mar‑May) are also recommended.
When is the best time to visit Ruaha National Park?
The dry season from May to October offers the best wildlife viewing and road conditions; June‑Oct is the peak period.
Can I self‑drive to Ruaha?
Yes, a 2‑hour dirt road from Iringa is passable in a 2‑wheel drive, but a 4x4 is recommended for comfort and safety.
Are there accommodation options inside the park?
Yes, basic bandas at the headquarters, Mdonya Old River Camp, and several private lodges such as Ruaha River Lodge.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Ruaha National Park
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