Gazetted in 1964 with an area of 10,300 sq.km, Ruaha National Park is the second largest park in Tanzania. The park which lies in the central part of Tanzania just west of Iringa town is also the second largest elephant sanctuary in the country, next to Selous Game Reserve. The park derives its name from the Great Ruaha River which flows through the Rift valley in the eastern part of the park. There are about 1,650 plant species and over 370 bird species so far recorded. The area also contains a wide variety of animals that includes the Ruaha special - “Greater |
and Lesser Kudu, Roan and Sable entelopes”. Other game animal found here are large herds of buffaloes and elephants. The exciting Great Ruaha River harbours/contains a large number of hippos and crocodiles. During the dry season, the river attracts great numbers of wildlife species; giraffes, warthogs, elands, zebras, wildebeests, impala, waterbucks, roan, antelopes and elands. |
