Katavi National Park

Katavi National Park makes part of the Tanzania national parks visited by the various visitors on Tanzania wildlife safaris. Katavi National Park is not much visited and thus is one of the best Tanzania national parks with untamed beauty and wilderness, as well as give travelers a chance to enjoy the park almost alone and not as crowded as the northern circuit Tanzania national parks.

Location and Size of Katavi National Park

Any possible traveler to the park would wonder in which region Katavi National Park is, and its size. Katavi National Park is located in the Katavi Region in South-western Tanzania. Katavi National Park covers a total size of about 4,471 square kilometers, making it the 3rd largest Tanzania national park.

Attractions and Activities in Katavi National Park

There are a number of attractions in Katavi National Park that any traveler on a Tanzania wildlife safari can enjoy. Attractions in Katavi National Park include Katuma River, Lake Chada floodplains, Lake Katavi that the park gets its name, a variety of wildlife, birds and amazing scenery and landscape.

What animals are in Katavi National Park?

There are a variety of animals in Katavi National Park that anyone of a wildlife safari Tanzania can enjoy. Katavi National Park is home to abundant wildlife including wildebeests, giraffes, zebras, elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, African buffaloes, and much, much more.

Crocodiles and hippos in Katavi National Park are usually spotted along the banks of Katuma River; during the dry season, hippos are seen in the mud-holes covering themselves in mud as sunscreen to protect their sensitive skin. Katavi National Park is also a great habitat for African wild dogs, which are critically endangered.

There are so many things to do in Katavi National Park for any traveler on a Tanzania safari tour. Some of the activities in Katavi National Park include;

Game Drives

Game drive are most common in the park, as it allows travelers  chance to cover more ground with a safari vehicle, enjoying extensive game viewing. Game drives can be done all throughout the day, with early morning and late afternoon game drives being the most rewarding.

Guided Walking Safaris

Katavi National Park
walking Safaris

Guided walking safaris are the best way to come up-close with nature and wildlife in Katavi National Park. Walking safaris involve hiking through the savanna park in the company of armed ranger guides. The guided walk takes travelers through scenic areas along Lake Katavi, a seasonal floodplain where you should look out for amazing wildlife views like grazing hippos and crocodiles.

Bird Watching

With over 400 birds in Katavi National Park, bird watching is one of the best activities to enjoy, allowing travelers after bird watching a wide variety of species to look out for.

Getting to Katavi National Park

Getting to Katavi National Park is possible by road and by air. By air, you can get to Katavi National Park by flying from Arusha or Dar es Salaam. While by road is possible, it is very long as it is about 2-3 days on a direct drive. The best way thus is by flying to the park, using airlines by Safari Air Link, among others.

When to Visit Katavi National Park

Katavi National Park can be visited all throughout the year, given the animals in the park are residents. The best time to visit Katavi National Park is during the dry season which is the months of June to December, during which time the Katuma River is the only water source in Katavi National Park attracting a variety of animals in Katavi National Park. It easy to see more animals then as they gather for a drink or dip. The short grass also helps in seeing animals more easily.

Accommodation in Katavi National Park

There are not many accommodation options in the park. For travelers on any Tanzania safari tour, accommodation in Katavi National Park to look out for include Chada Katavi Camp by Nomad Tanzania, Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge and Katavi Wildlife Camp.

Katavi National Park is unlike the northern circuit parks of Tanzania that are most sought after by travelers, including the much sought after Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater Tanzania, Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara National park. Reach out to your trusted tour operator to help you pitch an amazing wildlife safari in Tanzania including a visiting Katavi National Park.

book a trip