Ruaha National Park
July 6, 2021Ruaha National Park
July 6, 2021
Katavi National Park has one of the highest concentrations of game in Africa & Tanzania, so a safari here is guaranteed to be a thrilling and unforgettable experience.
Katavi is untamed, wild and remote. Located in the far in the west of Tanzania, south of the Mahale mountains and close to Lake Tanganyika, this is one of the best safari experiences anywhere in Africa. With one of the highest concentrations of game on the continent and some of the lowest visitor numbers, Katavi is a safari aficionados dream!
With vast grasslands to explore the park is simply superb in dry season, from July to October, with thousands of buffalo grazing the plains, hundreds of hippo gathered together in vast pools, and huge lion prides. From November-March the park boasts amazing bird watching and even fewer visitors, making Katavi's massive wilderness of 4,500 square kilometres one of the only places where you can still have a have truly top wildlife viewing almost to yourself.
Katavi is expensive to get to and thus we do recommend spending at least 3-4 nights in the park, taking in the game drives, walking safaris and fly camping. Really if you are coming this far you should combine Katavi with a similar amount of time in the Mahale Mountains. In fact, as a week long experience the combination of stunning safari in Katavi and Chimpanzee trekking and relaxing at Mahale, makes for one of the very best weeks you could have anywhere on the continent!
There are just two accommodation options in Katavi one on each of the parks massive plains - the lodge of Katuma Camp, overlooking the Katisunga plains, and the smaller bush camp experience of Chada, overlooking the plains it shares its name with.
Katavi National Park FAQs
Katavi National Park is one of the best dry-season parks in Tazania, which is from August to October. The lesser-visited Katavi has great prides of lions that prey on large buffalo herds, which make for quite the spectacle.
November to May is the period between the long and short rains and this is a birders paradise with all birds coming into their breeding plumage.
From November to April, it is hot and humid but also wet in most months. Afternoon and evening thunderstorms are the norm, but this is the time for superlative bird-watching in incredibly beautiful landscapes. Many camps are closed during this period as game viewing can be quite tricky with flooded and marshy plains.
Katavi National Park is situated in the Western Circuit of Tanzania not too far from Lake Tanganyika and Mahale Mountains National Park. What sets Katavi apart, is its untamed and remote nature. It is one of the best safari experiences you will have in Africa.
- The greatest season is the remoteness of the location with refreshingly low numbers of visitors
- A great array of large game, including large lion prides and impressive herds of buffalo
- Tanzania's most dense populations of hippo and crocodile
- You can enjoy a real bush experience with walking safaris which are allowed at Katavi
- Incredible birdlife with over 400 species, especially from November to May
- Varied habitats from wooded areas to open grasslands to seasonal lakes and rivers
- The legendary Katabi Tree which forms part of a number of cultural and historical sites
Katuma Camp, overlooking the Katisunga plains, and the smaller bush camp experience of Chada, overlooking the plains it shares its name with. Both of these camps offer a great mix of luxury and an authentic safati feel. As mentioned there are very few visitors all year-round, which makes for a great experience.
KATAVI NATIONAL PARKCAMPS
Chada Camp is a small and intimate safari camp overlooking the Chada plains with expert guiding. There are six East African styled and simple safari tents with wide open fronts and panoramic views. A dining tent and library to relax in and enjoy the tranquil bush, as well as a nearby campfire for evening drinks. Activities at Chada include 4 x 4 game drives, birdwatching, walking safaris and the option of fly-camping overnight under the stars ... Read more
Katuma Camp has been designed to blend in with its surroundings to avoid distraction from the beauty of Katavi National Park. The lodge depicts an African simplicity and is an idyllic base for exploring the spectacular wildlife of this remote and wild park. Daily movements can be watched of game between grazing on the plains and the last remaining pools of water in the Katuma during the dry and witness the dramas unfold ... Read more
