A Guide to Visiting Katavi National Park

A Guide to Visiting Katavi National Park

Katavi, a rugged wilderness in the western safari circuit, is one of the least known. Spanning 4,471 km², this national park boasts a diverse array of habitats: open grasslands, flood plains, seasonal swamps and lakes, woodlands, rivers, and forests. That means every animal, especially the African mega-beasts, finds its favorite habitat. If you are looking for a place that sees fewer vehicles per year, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we explore Katavi National Park.

How do I get to Katavi National Park?

That can be tricky. Because Katavi is very far from the main entry points like Arusha and Dar es Salaam. But there’s a way through. The convenient way is to fly on a charter from Arusha or Dar es Salaam, which is a 4-5-hour flight.

Airlines offering charter flights to Katavi include Coastal Aviation and Auric Air. Safari Air Link flies twice a week from Ruaha to Katavi (Monday and Thursday). Another alternative is to fly into Mpanda Airport in Katavi or Songwe International Airport in Mbeya, then drive to Katavi.

Driving is possible but not recommended. But if you can stay on the road for 16 hours from Arusha, it’s okay.

When to visit Katavi?

We recommend the dry season (June through October). The grass has dried and withered, giving you clear visibility to spot animals. Animals also gather near rivers like Katuma and Kavu to drink. There’s no crowd and high inflation like in the northern parks.

What is unique about Katavi?

• Home to the largest herds of buffalo. Here, explorers can come across 400-strong buffalo herds grazing in the Chada floodplains.
• Home to the highest concentration of hippos. The seasonal lakes and rivers teem with large bloats of these heavy creatures.
• Rugged, untamed wilderness. Here, it’s just wildlife, vegetation, and you, the explorer. No vehicles, no pollution. Animals still act naturally.
• Home to large mammals—elephants, hippos, buffalo, lions, hyenas, etc.

What to do in Katavi National Park?

Game driving.

Explore an array of habitats to find animals. These excursions on an open-sided safari vehicle go through Chada floodplains, where there are many grazers. Witness giant herds of buffalo staining the golden plains black. Wildebeests, zebras, elands, and other antelopes are also common.

If you want to explore the park, a night safari is a great way to do so. Expect to spot nocturnal species like lions, leopards, porcupines, mongooses, jackals, and birds like owls and nightjars.

Hot air ballooning

You can gently glide over the expansive floodplains and open grasslands. This aerial adventure takes you slowly from the launch site in the direction of the wind. You will see elephants as smaller objects moving along the Katuma River. Upon landing, you enjoy a celebratory bush breakfast.

Visiting the legendary tamarind tree.

In Katavi, there’s a giant tamarind tree where locals leave offerings at the base. According to them, a great hunter, Katabi, was buried under that tree. So, they usually pay a tribute by leaving offerings, hoping to remove misfortune and get healed.

You can embark on this explorative walk towards this famous tree. Along the way, you will discover small creatures, medicinal plants, and more.

Walking safaris.

In places in the north (like Ngorongoro Crater), walking isn’t allowed. In Katavi, you can just walk the way you wish—only that you have an armed ranger as your companion to protect you from lions and other animals.

Guided walks can be as short as 30 minutes and can last for about two hours. During these trips, you realize that exploring Katavi on a safari jeep isn’t enough because there are small creatures you can’t see from a car.

Fly camping.

Your camp will set a simple fly tent near a river for your African night. After a sundowner and dinner, you will be walked to your tent. Sleep under the stars, as the rustles, ripples, and roars decorate your dreams. Safety is guaranteed because a ranger will be on watch till morning.

Birdwatching.

It’s hard to ignore the presence of an ashy starling on a tree as you drive through the vast wilderness of Katavi. And there are more than 400 bird species. You can spot kingfishers, vultures, and cranes.

Where to stay in Katavi National Park?

Nomad Chada Camp

This camp is one of the best in Katavi. With just six safari tents set on the edge of the Chada floodplain. Each of the tents has an en-suite bathroom. The camp is open from June to November. Families are welcome (child age limit is 12 years). It offers game drives, delicious meals, bush walks, and fly camping.

Katavi Wildlife Camp.

Set on the edge of Katsunga Plains, this camp boasts only 6 Meru-style tents. Here, you will enjoy guided drives, sundowners, and bush walks. Private drives are available on request.

Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge

Set in a remote setting, this lodge features 10 tents—6 doubles, 2 twins, and 2 family tents. Families with children of all ages. Here, you can enjoy drives, delicious meals, and bush walks.

The bottom line.

Katavi is a must-visit. Whether it’s your first time in Tanzania or you’re a seasoned pro, this hidden gem will blow your mind. We are here to help you. Let’s start planning.