Katavi National Park

Katavi National Park is in the western area of Tanzania. It is an untouched area. There are dense waterways, thick reeds and houses varied birdlife and hippos. The forest canopies include herds of elephants and buffaloes.

Katavi presents a true wilderness offering a thrilling taste of Africa. It is the third-largest national park. You can choose a safari to go and enjoy the spectacular game viewing in the dry season.

Places of attractions

Game viewing

The Game viewing is plentiful. There are predators in plenty and it includes leopard, lion, wild dog, and cheetah. The Katuma River in the dry season becomes muddy pools as it dries and here hippos cram that there are terrifying fights among the males.

Walking Safaris

Walking safaris is enjoyable and there will be a guided walking fee for a group to be given. The guide comes like an armed ranger and includes paying for bus camping for each person. Walking is permitted throughout the park. You can opt for a short or long walk. The road leading to Lake Katavi is a good route for walking and no need for a vehicle. Walking safaris are not allowed by top-end camps aiming to keep the guests safe.

Riverside Camp

This is the right place to arrange safaris. Even if a person is not available, the staff will escort you and no worries as they know the park like the back of their hand.

Self-drive Safaris

The park does not give vehicles on hire, but there is a charge for a 4WD as the US $200 a day featuring a pop-up roof. Taking a driver or a guide paying $20 ensures the safety and best viewing experience.

Things to do

• The main activity is game viewing as guided safaris or as game drives. In Katavi National Park you cannot come across other humans. Walking safaris offer a great experience to get up close to the African bush, sounds, its sights, and aromas.
• Fly camping is offered. These are normal tents set up as a temporary campsite. It features no flush toilets, no fences, or showers. It is about living in the wild, cooking food on the fire and spending the evening around the campfire chatting. You can listen to the wild animals’ nocturnal calls and the African night sky.
• There are many places of historical and cultural interest. These include sacred sites, Stone and Iron Age sites.

How to access

By car – Katavi is a 2/3-day drive from Dar es Salaam and offers a definite level of adventure-seeking.

By air – It is the easiest way to reach Katavi National Park. There are twice-weekly scheduled flights from Dar es Salaam.

• Charter flights are available from Dar or Arusha.
• Rail transportation and using public transport is possible.

Best time to visit

Katavi National Park offers all-year-round great game viewing, but from June to November/December it reaches its peak owing to the dry season. The animals gather in thousands of water sources.

In the wet season, the birdwatching opportunities are high as the plains become lakes.