Searching for big cats in Ruaha
Spend your days in Ruaha searching for their resident big cats - lions lounging in the sun on the rocky kopjes, cheetah stalking their prey through the grassy savannah and a leopard lurking in the boughs of a tree.
Area
Nyerere and Southern Tanzania
Type
Wildlife & Nature
Grade
Standard
Who
Adults
Teens
Difficulty
Moderate
Duration
Half Day
The diverse habitats of Ruaha make it home to a wide variety of wildlife, including plentiful plains game which in turn provide fodder for the big cats here. Cheetah aren't found in the nearby Selous Game Reserve, so heading to Ruaha on safari will give you the chance of seeing these incredible hunters in action. With only a handful of safari camps in the park, it's rare to see another vehicle on a game drive, which really adds to the sense of adventure and reward. There really is an abundance of predators, and in particular a very healthy lion population. It is not uncommon to see a pride of twenty lions or more. Large male lions with magnificent manes are regularly sighted and the rugged terrain means that leopards are particularly drawn to this area too. There are also wild dog and cheetah in the park although these are always more of a challenge to spot as they roam much wider areas. Hyena and Jackals are also present and you will often hear them after dark as they are frequent camp visitors.
Recommended Hotels Nearby
A selection of luxury hotel options in the area, handpicked and recommended by our travel specialists.
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View AccommodationIkuka Safari Camp
High on the Mwagusi escarpment in Ruaha National Park, Ikuka Safari Camp is an intimate, secluded camp with just six tents under thatched roofs. With uninterrupted views across the savannah, Ikuka offers the quintessential African wilderness experience.
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View AccommodationLaba Laba Siwandu
Laba Laba Siwandu, formerly Selous Safari Camp, is a luxury tented camp located on the banks of Lake Nzerakera in the most prolific game viewing area of the Nyerere Game Reserve in Southern Tanzania.
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View AccommodationKiba Point
Kiba Point is a small and intimate private camp in the Nyerere on the banks of the Rufiji river. This authentic safari camp, run by Nomad Tanzania, offers a real bush experience and thrilling adventure for up to eight guests on an exclusive basis.
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View AccommodationSand Rivers Selous
Sand Rivers is situated in the northern part of the Nyerere National Park which is one of the largest protected wildlife areas in Africa. Sand Rivers offers stylish, luxurious safari accommodation on the banks of the Rufiji River.
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View AccommodationLaba Laba Jongomero
Jongomero is a small luxury tented camp in the remote and little visited Ruaha National Park, in Tanzania. With just ten suites, and a villa, this is a perfect place for those seeking the true African wilderness experience without compromising on comfort.
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View AccommodationJabali Ridge
Jabali Ridge is a stylish luxury safari lodge in Ruaha National Park. This gem of a park in southern Tanzania is home to prolific wildlife including plentiful big cats, and Jabali Ridge has some of Tanzania's best safari guides.
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View AccommodationRoho ya Selous
Roho ya Selous is situated in the very heart of the magnificent Nyerere National Park. Perched on a hill overlooking the water, this small tented camp is the perfect place to discover the wonderful wildlife and contrasting landscapes.
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View AccommodationKichaka Zumbua
Combining the wild adventure of an authentic safari experience with a stay in one of just three luxurious suites, Kichaka Zumbua offers a truly memorable experience in the remote, game-rich wilderness of Ruaha National Park.
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View AccommodationKigelia Ruaha
Kigelia is a hard-to-beat luxury bush camp experience in unspoiled Africa, far from the madding crowds. Ruaha is a true African wilderness. Home to incredible wildlife and the perfect national park to visit in combination with the Selous Game Reserve.
More Experiences in This Area
Discover more things to do in the area and chat to our specialists about crafting these experiences into your tailor-made holiday.
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View ExperienceBoat safari in the Selous Game Reserve
Get up close and personal with the hippos in the Selous' mighty rivers and lakes on a boat safari, perfect in the late afternoons when the wildlife often comes to the shore to drink.
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View ExperienceSunsets over the Rufiji
Sunsets on the Rufiji River are some of the most spectacular we have ever witnessed!
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View ExperienceSelous walking safari
Follow your guide on foot as you explore the Selous, focussing on the smaller details that make up the ecosystem which you often miss on a game drive.
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View ExperienceWalking safaris in Ruaha
There's nothing quite like the exhilaration of a walking safari and Ruaha National Park is a prime spot for exploring on foot.
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View ExperienceFishing in the Selous Game Reserve
While in the main the Selous Game Reserve is an arid area, certain sections are blessed by the permanent waters of the Rufiji River and the northern lakes. These water sources are home to great volumes of catfish, and the fierce fighting tiger fish.
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