Ruaha National Park: Lunda

 

Near desert like conditions.

The Great Ruaha River runs from the headwaters in the Usangu wetlands up towards the Mtera Reservoir. As the river runs north the landscape becomes lower and drier resulting in an arid near desert with spectacular riverine forest along the Ruaha. The river eventually splits into two and then fans out into a massive wetlands before spilling into the Mtera Resevoir. The northernmost part of the ecosystem is dominated by black cotton soil and whistling thorn acacias. It can be a hostile environment and wildlife densities are lower than other parts of the Ruaha River. Still, there are good populations of eland, zebra, giraffe, and waterbuck, as well as healthy populations of lion and elephant. 

Lunda is seldom visited due to the distance from the heart of Ruaha National Park where the Mwagusi and Ruaha rivers meet. I don't fault most visitors for not wanting to brave the heat for sparse game viewing but the habitat is uniquely different from the wetter parts of Ruaha National Park. If one has the chance it's certainly worth checking out.

Riverine habitat.

Classic Lunda.