Kigelia Ruaha
When To Go
When To Go
January
Vibrant colour, full of life
LOW season rates, plus free nights when combined with Sand Rivers Selous
Best season for migratory birds and flowers – a spectacular display of vibrant colour. Baobabs are covered in new leaves and flowers the rivers are in spate. Elephant move to higher ground and disperse. Still a good chance of seeing resident species
Warm with a good chance of heavy rain, often punctuated by sunshine. Can be hot during the day.
February
March
April
May
June
Dry season approaching
LOW season rates, plus free nights when combined with Sand Rivers Selous
As the bush starts to thin, we see the big herds beginning to form as the buffalo move south and the elephants come down from the highlands. In pursuit of the buffalo come the lion…this is the richest time of year for wildlife viewing.
The rains have come to an end by now but the vegetation usually remains green and beautiful for a short while before leaves start to fall in July. Still temperate but beginning to cool slightly.
July
Dry, warm, great wildlife
2 free nights on a week's safari when combined with Sand Rivers Selous
Dry season and wildlife congregates along rivers. Herds of hundreds of buffalo elephant are not uncommon, nor are leopard, lion and cheetah. Walking is easier and the dry river beds often make useful pathways through the bush.
Dry and warm with almost no chance of rain.
August
Peak dry season, great wildlife
2 free nights on a week's safari when combined with Sand Rivers Selous
Fabulous game viewing. The trees have now mostly shed their leaves. This is when the roan and sable venture down from the highlands so these next two months present the best opportunity to see these rare antelope.
Warm days, cool mornings and evenings, no rain.
September
Dry, warming up, great game
2 free nights on a week's safari when combined with Sand Rivers Selous
While the Ruaha River flows year round, it’s at its lowest in Sept/Oct and the hippo pods may be more concentrated now. This is still a great month for Ruaha’s speciality: elephant, plus herds of buffalo and growing prides of lion.
The weather starts to warm up now and the landscape has assumed its dry mantel.
October
Hottest month, most intense wildlife
2 free nights on a week's safari when combined with Sand Rivers Selous
This is the hottest month in Ruaha, but also possibly the most intense for wildlife. The diminishing water and green vegetation encourage game to congregate along the still- green river lines and the birding is also excellent.
Hot, dry, short grass.
November
Return of the rains, wildlife still excellent
LOW season rates, plus free nights when combined with Sand Rivers Selous
The bush will not green up for a while so it’s still a great month to view wildlife and birds alike as they congregate around available water sources. Walking is good now as the grass is short, though you can expect the odd shower.
The rains return this month, normally early in the mornings, and it can be humid in the afternoons.
December
Rains return but still worth a visit
LOW season rates, plus free nights when combined with Sand Rivers Selous
There is still plenty to see and so it’s worth getting out and about in search of big and small game alike.
Walking is still possible as the grass is still short, despite the green flush that may be evident. Weather is still warm during the day but more humid.
Ruaha is one of Tanzania's most exciting National Parks, not to mention the largest park in the country. Ecologically this area sees the meeting of the Eastern and Southern African biomes, resulting in a melting pot of species unlike anywhere else in Africa. This is most exciting for birders, as many southern and eastern species can be found here. Ruaha is beautiful; plains interspersed with baobab forests, hidden corners of woodland and dry snaking river beds criss-crossing the park. The dry season runs from June to the end of October and this time sees herds of buffalo gathering in their hundreds, followed close behind by impressively large prides of lion; Ruaha is home to 10% of Africa's lion population so they are never too far away.
When the rains arrive in November the park is transformed. The grass bursts to life shortly after the first rains fall, and the trees and shrubs begin to flower. Many antelope species have their youngsters over the rainy season, making the most of the abundant food in the park. Birding is at its best with many migratory species arriving and donning their impressive breeding plumage - an incredible array of startlingly bright colours flitting through the bush.
