Dar es Salaam to Ruaha National Park: Long Road or Short Flight to the Wild South

Ruaha National Park is in the central-south of Tanzania, in rugged country of baobabs, rocky hills and the Great Ruaha River. Its isolation is part of its appeal, because it sees far fewer visitors than the northern parks.

The same remoteness means getting there takes planning, so this guide explains the options in plain terms.

This guide is part of our Uganda road routes and driving guide. When you are ready to plan, see our Uganda safari packages or the Ameera Africa Safaris Uganda tours homepage.

Flying to Ruaha

The simplest route is a flight from Dar es Salaam to an airstrip near Ruaha. Small aircraft operate on several southern routes, sometimes stopping at other parks along the way, so the flight may be direct or may call at an intermediate airstrip. Check current schedules and the camp transfer with your operator.

Flying saves a very long day on the road and lets you begin game drives soon after landing. Because the aircraft are small, luggage allowances are tight and soft bags are required. See flying safaris in East Africa for what to expect.

Driving From Dar es Salaam

The road follows the main highway west through Morogoro and past Mikumi before climbing towards Iringa, and from Iringa a further stretch leads to the park. It is a lot of driving for one day, so most itineraries split it with a night in Iringa or near Mikumi.

The first sections are sealed and fairly comfortable, and the scenery gradually becomes more dramatic as you gain height. If you are driving, use a proper safari vehicle and an experienced driver-guide. The Iringa to Ruaha route covers the final leg in detail.

A Two-Day Road Plan

Day one: leave Dar es Salaam early, stop for lunch in Morogoro, perhaps spend the afternoon in Mikumi National Park with a game drive, and sleep nearby. This turns a long drive into part of the safari and lets you enjoy elephants, giraffes and zebras on the way.

Day two: continue through the highlands to Iringa, with a break in town, and then on to Ruaha for an afternoon game drive. If you like this style, read the Dar es Salaam to Mikumi route for the first half of the journey.

Combining Road and Air

A popular compromise is to drive one way and fly the other. For example, you could drive to Ruaha via Mikumi and Iringa, enjoy several days in the park, and fly back to Dar es Salaam or on to Nyerere. This saves time at the end of the trip and keeps the scenic experience of the road.

Because Ruaha and Nyerere complement each other, with Ruaha offering dry bush and big predators and Nyerere offering water, many southern itineraries include both. The southern Tanzania safari guide describes how they fit together.

Road and Season Notes

Dry months, roughly June to October, are the most reliable for both road and wildlife. In the rains some tracks within the park can become slow, and travel times lengthen. Ask your operator about conditions at the time of year you intend to go, and be flexible with arrival times.

The Ruaha best time to visit page explains how the seasons shape wildlife, and the Ruaha how to get there page adds access detail.

What to Expect on Arrival

Ruaha delivers dry-country wildlife: lions, leopards, cheetahs, large elephant herds and several antelope that are rarer further north. The landscape is dramatic, and the river is the focus of animal life in the dry season.

Plan at least three nights, as the park rewards slow exploration. See the Ruaha wildlife guide and the Ruaha itineraries for ideas on how to spend your days.

Practical Tips

Carry your passport, keep valuables with you and pack in soft bags. Bring a hat, sun protection and layers, since mornings can be cool and middays hot. If you drive, take water and snacks for the journey.

Allow buffer time on the day you return to Dar es Salaam, especially if you have an international flight. Our Dar es Salaam where to stay guide can help with a night in the city before or after your trip.

Planning a Uganda safari? Send us your dates and we will build the route, permits and transport around what you want to see.

Related Tours, Guides and Resources

• Ameera Africa Safaris homepage: Uganda safaris, tours and holidays
• Uganda safari packages
• Uganda travel guide
• How to book a Uganda safari
• Plan your safari with our team