When is the best time to visit Ruaha National Park?
The Ruaha National Park is Tanzania’s second-largest park; you can visit Ruaha all year round. However, wildlife watching is at its best during the dry season period from June to November, which is considered the best time to visit the Ruaha National Park.
The park’s landscape is not only dominated by giant Baobab trees and the Ruaha River, but it is also the meeting place of flora and fauna from East as well as Southern Africa. As a result, the diversity of life is outstanding. Visitors will see high concentrations of predators and prey amidst a wilderness filled with countless plant species.
The best time to visit Ruaha National Park is the dry season, from June to November when you can witness this diversity at its best. The drying landscapes create the perfect wildlife-viewing conditions, as the vegetation is sparse, and the wildlife is forced to congregate near the last remaining water source, the Ruaha River.
It is a time of great hardship for the large herds, but predators, including rare Wild Hunting Dogs, can thrive by hunting along the riverbank.
The dry season offers mild temperatures ranging from 26°C (79°F) to 29°C (84°F), and no rainfall. However, temperatures drop significantly at night, so pack warm clothes for nighttime and early morning drives.
Higher prices apply from June to November, which is considered high season. However, given that Ruaha National Park is enormous, with high concentrations of wildlife yet fewer visitors, it ensures an authentic wilderness experience and a feeling of an older Africa where time has stood still.
Plan your tailor-made safari to Ruaha National Park:
Birding Safaris
When is the high season in the Ruaha National Park?
The high season in Ruaha National Park is from June to November, which coincides with the dry season.
Generally speaking, this period is an exceptional time to visit Tanzania. The weather is dry with mild temperatures, creating the best conditions for exploring the tropical beaches of the Zanzibar archipelago, trekking Mount Kilimanjaro, and enjoying abundant wildlife during a safari.
For travellers on a budget, visiting the Ruaha National Park during April and May is an excellent option as it falls within the shoulder season.
Unlike northern Tanzania, the long rains in this southern park have already ended. Although there is still a chance of rain, the weather is generally good, and the park is beautifully green. Prices are lower, and there are even fewer visitors than usual.
When is the low season in the Ruaha National Park?
The low season in Tanzania’s North and South regions coincides with their respective rainy seasons:
- The low season in Northern Tanzania is from March to May,
- The low season in Southern Tanzania is from December to March.
Therefore, the low season in Ruaha National Park lasts from December to March. By the time the rains arrive in December, the Ruaha National Park has endured six rainless months. As a result, the landscapes absorb the water, giving forth an abundance of life in return.
Hundreds of baobabs burst into leaf, covering their bare, root-like branches. Dormant wildflowers and grasses emerge from the fissured earth. The river is in full flow, clearing the banks of debris, and numerous migratory birds return to the park.
No longer dependent on their dry-season water source, the wildlife disperses into the wilderness. A sense of relief and new beginnings falls over the park.
The low-season weather is unexpectedly hot, with temperatures ranging from 35°C to 39°C (95°F to 102°F) during the afternoon, accompanied by high humidity levels.
However, daily thunderstorms provide relief by cooling the air, and once the storms subside, the sun’s rays return.
The dust-free air, green landscapes and crisp light create perfect conditions for a photography safari. Returning migratory birds mingle with the 570 resident bird species, and nesting behaviour commences, making it the ideal time for a birdwatching safari.
A well-equipped road system in the park allows for game drives even during the rains. Some accommodations may close, so careful planning is important. But there will still be several world-class places to stay at that remain open.
You want to plan your tailor-made Ruaha safari?
Get in touch with us!
How to plan for a safari to the Ruaha National Park
If you have been longing to go on a safari but are still determining the best time to visit Ruaha National Park, we can help you in two ways.
Firstly, you can read our month-by-month weather and wildlife guide below. Alternatively, you can have a no-obligation consultation with one of our country experts. In a short conversation, they can provide you with all the necessary information to plan your safari to the Ruaha National Park.
Best time to visit Ruaha National Park: a month-by-month guide
December to March in the Ruaha: the rainy season & low season
The rainy season in Ruaha starts in December and ends in March. Heavy rainfall can be expected almost every day in passing thunderstorms. Still, the moody storm clouds and golden light create dramatic scenery.
A highlight of this season is the arrival of migratory birds. They come from as far away as Europe and southern Asia to spend their winter in sub-Saharan Africa and are known as Palearctic migrant birds.
At the same time, resident birds also build their nests. The presence of both avian groups creates an exceptional time for birdwatching.
During the rainy season, the green Ruaha National Park is the definition of abundance with:
- One of Tanzania’s largest populations of elephants
- 10% of the global lion population
- Rare species, such as Wild Dogs, and Roan and Sable antelopes
- Over 1,650 plant species
- And 570 bird species
Although the concentration of wildlife may be lower than in the dry season, there is still a vast array of wildlife in the park.
However, some camps close during the rainy season and not all areas of the park are accessible. The rainy season is generally not considered the best time to visit Ruaha National Park, especially if it is your first time on safari.
April and May in the Ruaha: the green season & shoulder season
Tanzania’s popular northern safari circuit experiences heavy rainfall in April and May. However, the rainy season has subsided in the south, and it is a great time to visit the southern parks.
April and May belong to the best time to visit the Ruaha National Park, located in the south. The long rains that start in December conclude by the end of March, leaving behind a lush green park. Hence, why April and May are described as the “green season.” Prices are lower, and there are fewer visitors than usual.
The weather is pleasant during this time, with a chance of light rain in April. By May, the risk of rain is minimal. Afternoon temperatures climb to 32°C (89°F), but they drop significantly to 15°C (59°F) at night.
Therefore, it’s advisable to pack warm layers, which can be taken off as the temperatures rise quickly in the morning.
The lush vegetation and abundant water allow the animals to disperse into the wilderness. Although the wildlife numbers are less concentrated than during the dry season, visitors can still spot multiple species, including numerous big cats.
June in the Ruaha: the dry season & high season
June marks the beginning of the dry season. However, the park is still green, with towering baobab trees in full leaf and the Ruaha River is relatively full. The weather is dry, with low humidity levels and temperatures of 26°C (78°F).
However, the temperature drops considerably at night, so it’s important to pack warm layers. There are fewer visitors this month, so it’s an ideal time to enjoy the great weather and peaceful surroundings.
July in the Ruaha: the dry season & high season
During July, the landscapes start to turn golden in colour. It is the coolest month, with temperatures up to 25°C (77°F), low humidity, and no rainfall. However, the evenings and early morning game drives can be pretty cold.
As the landscape dries out, the numbers of wildlife increase throughout the month and begin to assemble by the river.
August in the Ruaha: the dry season & high season
As the dry season sets in, the landscape transforms to reveal its rugged beauty. The giant baobab trees shed their leaves, and the river’s water level recedes. With a high concentration of prey near the river, visitors can witness the drama of a hunt along the riverbanks.
The weather is perfect, with comfortable temperatures averaging 26°C (78°F), low humidity, and no rain. Despite this being peak season, the park offers a serene atmosphere due to low visitor numbers. Many regard August to be the best time to visit Ruaha National Park.
September in the Ruaha: the dry season & high season
During September, large herds of herbivores gather near the river, and predators seize the opportunity to target the weak and the old from their numbers. With high numbers of lions, leopards, cheetahs, and wild dogs in the park, the likelihood of witnessing a hunt is high.
Temperatures rise to 28°C (82°F); however, the weather will feel comfortable, allowing you to enjoy your safari.
October in the Ruaha: the dry season & high season
Looking at the best time to visit Ruaha National Park, October is definitely far up on the list. It is the fifth month without rain, leading to sparse vegetation. The Ruaha River is the last remaining water source in the vast landscape, making it the ideal place to see an array of wildlife.
There is also a high likelihood of spotting some rare species, such as Wild Dogs and Sable antelope. The temperature rises to 29°C (84°F), and there is a minimal risk of rain.
November in the Ruaha: the short rains & high season
November marks the end of the dry season, an extraordinary time to be in the park. The herbivores face great adversity as little vegetation is left to browse on, and the once-mighty Ruaha River has dwindled to a small stream. Yet, the barren landscape, with sculpture-like baobabs, creates dramatic scenery.
As a result of this hardship, vast numbers of wildlife mass near the river. As the month progresses, the humidity and temperatures increase, and storms can be seen in the distance. The end of the dry season is tantalisingly close.
When is the best time to visit Ruaha National Park? Conclusion
The best time to visit Ruaha National Park also depends on which other activities you would like to do while in Tanzania. If you would like to combine your southern Tanzania safari with a beach holiday on Zanzibar or a climb up Mt Kilimanjaro, we recommend June to October as the best time to visit Ruaha National Park.
Get in touch with one of our travel experts to start planning your trip!
Author: Colin Javens
Crédito: Link de origem
Comments are closed.