If Mikumi leaves you wanting more of southern Tanzania, the highway points the way. West of the park the road follows the Great Ruaha River through the Baobab Valley, climbs the escarpment to Iringa, and from there a gravel road leads to Ruaha National Park — at roughly 20,000 square kilometres one of the largest protected areas in East Africa.
Ruaha is dry, rocky and dramatic, with baobab-studded hills above a sand river. It is known for large elephant herds, big lion prides, leopards and both greater and lesser kudu, and it receives a tiny share of the visitors of the northern parks.
Top things to do: Ruaha National Park
Game drives along the Great Ruaha River
In the dry season the river shrinks to pools and the wildlife of a vast area comes to it. Drives along the banks are the heart of a Ruaha safari.
Look for predators
Ruaha is an important stronghold for lions and also has leopard, cheetah and wild dog — a wider range of big predators than Mikumi.
Drive the Baobab Valley
The stretch of highway between Mikumi and Iringa, where thousands of baobabs line the Ruaha gorge, is one of the most scenic roads in the country and a highlight of the overland route.
Make it a southern-circuit trip
A classic road itinerary runs Dar – Mikumi – (Udzungwa) – Iringa – Ruaha and back, in five days to a week or more. See the multi-park safaris that include Mikumi and Ruaha.
How to get to Ruaha National Park
- By road from Mikumi, it is roughly three to four hours to Iringa and another two to three on gravel to the park gate — a full day. Most itineraries break the journey in Iringa.
- Light aircraft link Ruaha’s airstrips with Dar es Salaam and other parks, which is how most upmarket camps receive their guests.
Insider tips
- Allow at least two full days in the park to justify the journey.
- June to October is the prime game-viewing season; the park is green and quiet in the rains and some camps close.
- Iringa, at about 1,600 m, is pleasantly cool — bring a layer.
Best tours & safaris: Ruaha National Park
These experiences are the easiest way to see Ruaha National Park:
Multi-park safari from €1066 From Dar es Salaam: Mikumi and Ruaha National Parks 4-Day Safari
Mikumi sits on the highway between Dar and Iringa, which makes it the obvious first stop on the way to Ruaha — a much bigger, more remote park. Four days is tight for the distances, so expect long drives. No reviews yet when we last checked.
- Mikumi as the stop on the road west
- Remote Ruaha National Park
- Long but scenic overland route
Multi-park safari from €2043 Dar es Salaam: 7-Day Southern Tanzania Safari Tour
A full week in the south: Mikumi, the Udzungwa Mountains and Nyerere National Park, with game drives, the Sanje Waterfall hike and a walking safari. This is the trip for people who have decided on the quieter southern circuit instead of the Serengeti. No reviews yet.
- Mikumi, Udzungwa and Nyerere in one week
- Hike to the Sanje Waterfall
- Game drives plus a walking safari
