Katavi National Park

Katavi National Park is universally recognized as one of the few truly remote and untouched areas of Tanzanias immense conservation areas.  This is primarily due to its position in the far south west of the country and the associated cost and time involved in reaching the park.  For those who do take the time to visit, an unforgettable safari awaits them.  Being one of the least visited National Parks is a bonus for the few who make it, not a reflection on the experience to be had there it is a place for those seeking the Africa of decades ago.  As the third largest national park in Tanzania , it lies in the remote southwest of the country.

Katavi is predominantly high plains grassland, which becomes swampy wetland during the rains, interspersed with fringes of miombo woodland and scattered acacia.  At more than 1 million hectares, Katavi is the third largest National Park; it has 2 lakes, Lake Katavi in the north and Lake Chada in the south, fed by the Kutuma river.  These lakes are cracked open plains during the dry season from June to November, only filling in the rains.  Kutuma River shrinks to a narrow stream, with pools which become the extremely cramped quarters of hundreds of hippos and crocs.  In fact, Katavi has the highest density of Hippos and the largest Crocodiles in all of Tanzania.

The remoteness and vast ecosystem has meant that the lush floodplains attract a very large biomass and huge herds of wildlife; it is not uncommon to see herds of 1600 Buffalo at a time.  Along with large herds of Topi and Zebra the Buffalo graze the plains during the day when they are less vulnerable to predators, preferring to return to the relative safety of the woodland at night. Their predators maintain the balance by ambushing them as they return to the woodland.

There are over 400 bird species and many of the rarer antelope such as Sable and Roan.  Katavi has a similar climate to its counterpart Ruaha National Park, however it has a completely different topography hence varied game; a safari combining these two parks offers the perfect 'off the beaten track' experience.

Accommodation in Katavi National Park