Ruaha National Park

Lying 130 km west of Iringa, Ruaha National Park is Tanzania's third-largest park providing 13,000 sq. km of pristine wildlife habitat.  Ruaha National Park's name derives from the Great Ruaha River which flows along its entire border, creating spectacular gorges and scenery. 

Ruaha National Park's vegetation represents a wide range of ecosystems from treeless grasslands and swamps to evergreen forests. Typical vegetation of the river valleys comprises tall stands of acacia species, fig species, tamarind trees and clumps of palms as well as patches of open black cotton soil grassland. 

Beyond the valleys and to the north, the landscape is dominated by baobabs scattered throughout scrubby Combretum and Commiphora woodland.

Ruaha National Park harbors one of Tanzania's largest elephant populations along with great numbers of hippo, crocodile, and various fish species inhabit the river.  The park is also known for its concentration of lesser and greater kudu, its roan sable antelope, lion, hyena, leopard populations along with its rich birdlife. Also, 1650 plant species have been recorded in Ruaha.  

Because of such rich biodiversity Ruaha National Park is a wildlife photographers paradise.  This is made even better by numerous photographic blinds placed at strategic places where wildlife congregates.

The best months of game viewing are July and November when the vegetation is at its minimum density increasing viewing distances and the animals are concentrated to areas nearby the limited water sources. 

Ruaha National Park is easily accessible by car and has an airstrip for light aircraft's on the western bank of the river.

Udzungwa Mountains National Park

Udzungwa National Park, Tanzania's newest park (est. 1992), has a total area of approximately 2000 sq. km lying between 300 and 2800 m.  Udzungwa National Park is located 100 km from Mikumi National Park.  Because of such a wide range in altitude and habitat types, Udzungwa National Park has one of the highest degrees of species endemism worldwide.  

Udzungwa National Park supports a large number of game including elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, sable and at least two endemic species of primate, the Iringa Red Colobus Monkey and Sanje Crested Mangabey.  

The Udzungwa mountains qualify to be the richest forest bird habitat in Tanzania and one of the top three most important zones for bird conservation in Africa. Several new species have been identified in recent years including a new member of the Francolin family(Modulatrics O. Sanjei) and rufous winged sunbird.

With no roads entering Udzungwa National Park it is a haven for hikers and backpackers alike.  Numerous breath-taking day-hikes can be organized along with multiple day excursions into the dense rain forest or onto the high plateau.

Mikumi National Park

Mikumi National Park covers an area of 3230 sq. km and is Tanzania's 3rd largest park.  Mikumi NP is bisected by the main road connecting Dar Es Salaam and Mbeya, making it Tanzania's most easily accessible park and only 4 hours from Dar Es Salaam.  

Mikumi National Park's landscape is dominated by its flood plane consisting of open grassland.  The flood plane abuts with mountain ranges to the south and the Selous ecosystem.

Mikumi National Park is rich in a variety of wildlife including buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, elephant, impala, hippo, warthog, lion, sable antelope, African wild dog, and eland can all be seen year-round.

Along with Mikumi's numerous mammals over 300 species of birds can be observed in the Park. Eurasian migrant birds are present from October to April.  

Selous Game Reserve

The Selous Game Reserve is the largest protected wildlife area in Africa at 55,000 km sq. A UN World Heritage site, this pristine, uninhabited area is larger than Switzerland. It is situated in the Southern part of Tanzania and it is the world's largest reserve.  The reserve contains some of the most primitive and untamed virgin bush in Africa.

Because of Selous' vastness it encompasses numerous ecosystems.  These range from open to dense woodlands, mountains, river and river valleys, swamps and hot springs.

The Selous Game Reserve is second only to Serengeti in its concentration of wildlife.  Selous holds Tanzania's largest population of elephants along with large numbers of buffalo, hippo and wild dog.  Other commonly seen species are lion, leopard, bushbuck, impala, hartebeest, sable antelope, reedbuck, waterbuck, giraffe, eland, baboon, zebra, greater kudu, warthogs and crocodiles.

Selous is also unique as it is the only area in Tanzania that one can combine game drives, boat, and walking safaris.

Safari camps, including Rufiji River Camp, Beho Beho Camp, and Mbuyu Safari Camp, provide comfortable accommodations.

The Selous, though inaccessible during the rainy season from March to May due to floods, can be reached by railroad (Tazara Railway Line) and air. The best time to visit the Reserve is from June to October.

M.E.M. Tours and Safaris offers very comfortable trips that you can combine the Southern and Northern Circuits and that which are flexible enough to show you our beautiful country.