National Park Ruaha, trip report
“During one of our nights, for instance, we were startled by a pride of lions roaring as they passed through our camp. An experience you won’t easily forget!
Location: Ruaha National Park
Accommodation: Ruaha River Lodge – Foxes Safari Camp
Travel Dates: October 29-30-31
Distance: 2-hour flight from Dar-Es-Salaam
Temperature: 42-48°C
Report:
After a one-and-a-half-hour flight on a bushplane from Dar-Es-Salaam, we landed at the gates of Ruaha National Park. It took another forty minutes before we arrived at Ruaha River Lodge.
Thanks in part to the climate – extreme heat and drought (42-48°C) – that prevailed during our visit to Ruaha National Park, we can look back on a fantastic wildlife trip! In just three days, we saw an incredible amount of wildlife. Due to the dehydration of the Ruaha River and the limited presence of waterholes nearby, all animals were actually forced to drink at the same locations. One of these watering holes happened to be in front of our camp: a section of the Ruaha River that had not yet dried up. This often led to exciting encounters. For example, during one of our nights, we were startled by a pride of lions roaring as they passed through our camp. An experience you won’t easily forget!
During our first day in Ruaha, near our camp, we were immediately treated to sightings of elephants, impalas, hippos, kudus, and crocodiles. Just outside the camp, we came across a family of Dik Diks, a Fish Eagle, and a lion resting in the shade of a tree.
On our second day in Ruaha, we witnessed an incredible spectacle: a herd of over 600 buffaloes steadily approaching to drink from one of the few remaining undried spots in the Ruaha River. Quite impressive! That same day, we also saw a pride of lions, many giraffes, and a cheetah that had just caught a kudu.
During our third and final day, we were fortunate to spot a leopard lounging in a tree. Our guide ensured that we could approach to within 3-4 meters, which, of course, resulted in some beautiful photos. That same day, we again saw a pride of lions, a Klipspringer, and some beautiful birds (including a Lilac Breasted Roller).”
