Africa

Katavi National Park

Katavi National Park measures some 4500 sq. km in size and its landscape was created as a result of a minor fault in the western Albertine Rift which formed a wide alluvial plain. The park has a central, flat valley floor which forms spectacular floodplains after the rains, attracting huge herds of game from the surrounding hills. At the height of the dry season the broad plain becomes a mass of tall, flowing grasses, extending to the distant mountains beyond.

Despite being the third largest national park in Tanzania, Katavi is also one of the least known. Just a handful of safari enthusiasts visit Katavi each year, meaning that this area remains an unparalleled wilderness, an untouched landscape rich in game and lost in time.

The park’s main features are the great grassy Chada and Katasunga plains in the north and the palm-fringed Lake Chala in the south. As the dry season progresses the Katuma and Kapapa rivers become the only permanent sources of water for miles around. Katavi boasts Tanzania’s largest populations of hippo and crocodile, whilst large herds of elephant also congregate on the riverbanks and in the reedy marshlands. On the plains thousands of zebra, impala, giraffe, topi, eland, hartebeest and Defassa waterbuck gather, with prides of lion, leopard and spotted hyena in constant attendance. Most impressive of all are the enormous herds of buffalo, thousands strong, which wander on the short grass plains.

More than 400 species of bird have been recorded across the lakes, plains, acacia woodland, swamps and palm groves of Katavi with plentiful numbers of pelicans, open-billed storks and crested cranes, as well as the beautiful golden oriole and sulphur-breasted bush shrike.

Our preferred camps are:

Chada Katavi Camp
The Foxes ' Katavi Wilderness Camp