Thirty years since we first set foot in Ruaha and how this park has remained such a secret, delights and mystifies us in equal measure. Ruaha is remote, vast and wild and the beauty of its landscape is jaw-dropping. Innumerable herds of buffalo, a profusion of predators, ancient baobabs, immense boulders, sweeping sand rivers... and not a soul in sight.
This private walking safari takes you on a unique 3-night walking adventure in lesser known areas of Ruaha swapping creature comforts for private wilderness.
Our lightweight, roving camp, Charlie, is fully mobile; A-frame tents that pack up and move allowing you to explore areas otherwise unaccessible. This is a camp designed with mobility at heart and swapping luxury for location.
We believe the dry season in Ruaha is nothing short of magical and wildlife of all kinds abounds. Days spent exploring quietly on foot make a safari experience in Ruaha unbeatable. So we only offer our multi-day walking safaris from July to October to ensure the best walking experience and game viewing.
It is also a wonderful time of year to combine with our gorgeous bush camp, Kigelia. Head there for a couple of nights after your walking safari and you've got an epic safari combo.
Ruaha is a little visited and scenically stunning park that offers some of the best dry season game viewing in Tanzania.
This is the trip of lifetime so you must have a good camera (or phone) to capture those wonderful memories. More importantly is a decent pair of binoculars - essential for your time in the bush. Sunscreen and insect repellant should be in the bag as well as a good water bottle, although you will be provided with a Nomad water bottle as part of your stay - hydration is really important on safari and in dry climates. Check your luggage restrictions with your tour operator as there are restrictions on luggage allowance for domestic flights in Tanzania. Also, if you react to insect bites be sure to bring antihistamines. It is a good idea to carry loperamide (commonly sold as Imodium) just in case.
Tanzania is a year round destination, especially in Northern Tanzania. So your visit often depends on family schedules or particular wildlife experiences on the bucket list. We love January to March in Ngorongoro and southern Serengeti Plains when the air is clear, nice temperatures and the migration arrives in town for calving season. This is an extraordinary time to be there.
Yellow Fever vaccinations are required if you are arriving from endemic countries. Other recommended vaccinations include tetanus, diptheria, polio, hepatitis A and typhoid. You will also need to consider hepatitis B and malaria prevention medicines. In all cases, you must seek advice from your medical professional.
We advise against drinking the tap water in Tanzania and as such, we provide safe drinking water in all camps and vehicles so guests can remain well hydrated throughout their trip.
The cost of a safari does vary, from simple bush camps or tented camps to high-end luxury or private houses. In Tanzania, there is a wide spectrum of accommodation allowing travellers to mix and match, building tailormade itineraries to suit a budget. Specialist tour operators are able to advise on the best options for your budget. Included in the safari cost is access to the wild, expert guides and unique experiences.
Usually it is 15kg per person in a soft-sided bag. This is not a hard and fast rule so do check with your tour operator or aviation company. These are small bush planes, and is a good way of making sure you pack light.
Not all travellers into Tanzania require a visa. You must have a single entry tourist visa or business visa, is the general rule but there are country exemptions from this. On the most part, single entry or business visas can be obtained on arrival but we recommend where possible, to process the visa online ahead of travel - just make sure you allow enough time to do so!
It depends, some are short hops, others can be full-day journeys. Often, the journey is the experience and can become the ultimate game drive as you traverse different areas of National Parks.