 Ruaha National Park is a vast wilderness area which hosts one of the largest elephant populations in Africa. In addition to the elephants, which are estimated to number at least 12,000, the park has large herds of buffalo, as well as greater and lesser kudo, Grant's gazelle, wild dog, ostrich, cheetah, sable antelope, and more than 400 different bird species. The Great Ruaha River flows through the eastern side of the park and is home to hippo, crocodile and many water birds.
With an area of almost 13,000km 2, Ruaha National Park is Tanzania's second largest, and is part of an extended ecosystem that also encompasses the adjoining Rungwa and Kisigo game reserves. Much of the park is undulating plateau averaging about 900m in height with occasional rocky outcrops, and mountains in the south and west reaching to about 1600m and 1900m, respectively.
Large areas of Ruaha are unexplored and undeveloped; one of park management's goals is to preserve as much of the territory as possible in a pristine and undisturbed state. Due to Ruaha's vastness and character, you should set aside as much time as you can spare to visit; it's not a place to be discovered on a quick in and out trip.
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