About This Journey
The 4 Day Ruaha National Park Safari 2026-2027 takes you into one of Tanzania's most impressive wilderness destinations, known for large elephant and buffalo herds, predators, baobab landscapes and the life-giving Great Ruaha River.
Ruaha National Park covers approximately 20,226 square kilometers, making it Tanzania's second-largest national park. Its landscapes include miombo woodland, open plains, rocky hills, baobab country and river systems that support an exceptional variety of wildlife.
Wildlife that may be encountered includes elephants, lions, buffalo, leopards, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, giraffes, zebras, greater kudu, sable antelope, roan antelope, hippos and crocodiles.
The Great Ruaha River is one of the park's main attractions and becomes particularly important for wildlife during the dry season, when animals gather around permanent water and river pools.
This four day safari is ideal for travelers looking for a remote Southern Tanzania wildlife experience with extensive game viewing and fewer heavily trafficked safari circuits.
What Makes This Trip Special
Explore Ruaha National Park
Wildlife viewing along the Great Ruaha River
Full day Ruaha game drive
Afternoon game drive on arrival
Search for elephants and buffalo
Opportunities to see large lion prides
Look for leopards, cheetahs and hyenas
See greater kudu and other antelopes
Explore baobab studded landscapes
Visit woodland and river habitats
Excellent birdwatching opportunities
Professional safari driver guide
Private 4x4 safari vehicle
Comfortable safari accommodation
Meals and drinking water included
Dar es Salaam pickup and drop off
A Look at the Journey
Itinerary
Your 4 Day Ruaha National Park Safari begins with an early morning pickup from your hotel or agreed location in Dar es Salaam.
Travel west through Morogoro and continue toward the Southern Highlands and Iringa.
The journey provides changing scenery from coastal lowlands and agricultural areas to mountain landscapes around Iringa.
Stop for lunch during the journey before continuing to your accommodation.
Arrive in Iringa in the late afternoon or evening, check in and relax after the long road journey.
Dinner and overnight in Iringa.
After breakfast, depart Iringa and drive toward Ruaha National Park.
TANAPA places Ruaha approximately 108–130 km from Iringa, with the road journey generally taking around 2–3.5 hours depending on conditions.
After park registration, begin your first game drive.
Explore areas around the Great Ruaha River, woodland, open plains and seasonal watercourses.
Possible sightings include elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, antelopes and predators such as lions, leopards and spotted hyenas.
The park is particularly known for elephants, large buffalo herds and predators.
Continue wildlife viewing until late afternoon before proceeding to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast, depart for a full day game drive in Ruaha National Park.
Spend the day exploring different wildlife areas with your professional safari driver guide.
The Great Ruaha River and associated sand rivers play an important role in concentrating wildlife, particularly during the dry season. Elephants, buffalo, predators and many other species may be found around these water sources.
Possible sightings include:
Elephants
Lions
Buffalo
Leopards
Cheetahs
Spotted hyenas
Giraffes
Zebras
Greater kudu
Sable antelope
Roan antelope
Hippos
Crocodiles
Enjoy a picnic lunch at an appropriate picnic area before continuing your afternoon game drive.
Ruaha is also an outstanding birding destination, with more than 570 recorded bird species.
Return to your lodge or tented camp in the evening for dinner and overnight.
After an early breakfast, check out from your accommodation and begin the journey back toward Dar es Salaam.
Ruaha is approximately 625 km from Dar es Salaam by road, making this a long travel day.
Travel through the Iringa region and continue toward Morogoro.
Lunch will be provided during the journey.
Continue to Dar es Salaam with arrival expected in the evening, depending on traffic and road conditions.
You will be dropped off at your hotel or agreed location, marking the end of your 4 Day Ruaha National Park Safari 2026-2027.
Included & Excluded
Included
- Ruaha National Park entrance fees
- Professional safari driver guide
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle
- Ruaha wildlife game drives
- Three nights accommodation
- Meals according to the itinerary
- Picnic lunch during game drives
- Drinking water
- Dar es Salaam pickup
- Dar es Salaam drop off
- Safari vehicle fees
- Government taxes
- Activities mentioned in the itinerary
Excluded
- International flights
- Domestic flights
- Tanzania visa
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic beverages
- Soft drinks unless included
- Tips for safari driver guide
- Personal expenses
- Laundry services
- Optional activities
- Additional accommodation
- Personal travel items
- Services not mentioned under inclusions
Frequently Asked Questions
Ruaha is located in south-central Tanzania, west of Iringa.
Elephants, lions, buffalo, leopards, giraffes, zebras, hippos and several antelope species may be seen
Yes. Meals are included according to the itinerary.
Yes. Three nights of accommodation are included.
Yes. A private safari can be arranged for your preferred dates.
Ruaha is open year-round, with June to October particularly popular for dry-season wildlife viewing.
