Ruaha River Lodge
Ruaha lies in the convergence zone where northern and southern hemisphere mammals and migrant birds overlap. This results in an overwhelming number of different bird species (488 recorded species nearly half that found in the entire country) and over 1400 plant species which lead to a correspondingly large number of mammals.
The vast area of the park (20000km2) varies between mountains and escarpments, grassland plains, rocky kopjes and riverine areas. With such a choice of habitat it is not surprising that a wide diversity of mammal species make Ruaha their home.
Ruaha River Lodge’s comfortable accomodation options put you right in the middle of the wildlife in one of the richest areas of the park.
Features of the Bandas
– 20 rooms with either twin beds or a double bed. Additional beds can be added.
– The ensuite bathroom has a shower, toilet and wash basin with solar-heated hot water.
– The rooms are protected with mosquito gauze on the windows.
– A generator provides electricity for lights and battery charging until 11pm each night.
– Hurricane lamps provided at dusk.
– Drinking water is available.
– Early morning tea and coffee. Order tea or coffee anytime at no extra charge.
– Complimentary laundry service.
Other activities
You will rarely meet any other vehicles on your game drives around Ruaha’s extensive and well-maintained road network. The highly trained English speaking guides will lead you to an abundance of leopard, lion, cheetah and hunting dog, not to mention several rare species including Greater and Lesser Kudu, Roan and Sable antelopes.
The guiding is superlative with specialist guides having built up an extensive local knowledge whilst living and working in the park. This ensures you don’t miss out on the flora and fauna that normally go unnoticed to the untrained eye.
Game Drives
Game drives are taken in specially adapted open 4 WD vehicles. The seating is tiered to maximise visibility for each passenger.
Each car is extremely well-maintained and is equipped with a two-way radio.
Game drives are led by an experienced guide with a driver.
Refreshments are served on longer excursions and a packed lunch can be taken on a full days game drive.
Game drives usually follow the pattern of a full mornings drive returning to the Lodge for lunch and an afternoon siesta, followed by a shorter evening drive starting at 4pm. A full days drive can also be taken.
The guides, trained and led by Peter Fox, your host at Ruaha River Lodge, are all locally born and bred with an instinctive knowledge of the bush.
The roads in the park are all weather roads and remain open all year round.
There is no off road driving or night driving allowed in Ruaha National Park.
Walks can only take place during the dry season (May-November).
For your security all walking safaris are accompanied by an armed Park ranger.
Walks are taken either first thing in the morning, or leaving at around 4pm.
Fly Camping
Fly camping expeditions can be taken from the Lodge for 2 nights ‘bush camping’. You will have your own private camp hosted by your guide in out of the way special camping sites selected according to seasonal game movements.
Game drives and walks are then taken from the camp daily.
Accommodation is in dome tents with a separate toilet and bucket shower.
All your meals will be freshly prepared by the camp cook.
Environment and local community
Ruaha National Park can be visited at any time of year. However, the best time for game viewing is during the dry season from June until December when wildlife converges on the dwindling water reserves of the park and concentrates along the Great Ruaha River, the only permanent water source in the park.