Katavi Wildlife Camp

The fascinating Katavi National Park is in western Tanzania. 

Flying from Arusha to Katavi is the best way of arriving. There is a scheduled, twice-weekly flight connecting Ruaha, Katavi, and Mahale, operated by Safari Air Link.

Mbali Mbali Lodges works with its sister company, Zantasair, providing twice-weekly charter flights between northern Tanzania and western Tanzania, including Katavi National Park.

Note that Kilimanjaro International Airport, which is probably where you will arrive in the country, is about 46km (29 miles) from Arusha. Usually, your chosen tour operator will pick you up and make the necessary arrangements, including the charter flight, to reach the park’s airstrip.

Driving to Katavi is impractical, as it takes two to three days from Dar es Salaam. The journey is very challenging and only for the truly adventurous!

Katavi National Park has huge buffalo populations; some say the planet’s largest. Other species are zebra, giraffe, elephant, lions, wild dogs, cheetah, and many bird species, crocodiles, and hippopotamus. As this park in Tanzania’s western sector is less-visited, it is a genuine wilderness experience with fewer crowds.

The park is 4470 km2 and has three huge floodplains joined by the Katuma River. Katavi has many antelope species, such as sable and roan, often in great numbers. There are nearly 400 bird species recorded here. There is a succession of seasonal lakes, some mountains and scrubland, and other vegetation.

Visitors can expect Katavi to be hot and humid, with temperatures reaching 32°C/90°F during the day and reducing to about 20°C/68°F at night-time.

The Katavi Wildlife Camp is in Katavi National Park. 

Visitors to the Katavi Wildlife Camp often choose the dry season, between July and October. Even though this is high season, the parks in this area are seldom crowded. As the park begins to dry out, the wildlife becomes concentrated, making it easier to view while it looks for water. Between the end of October and February, the park is very green, and this is a good time for birdwatchers to visit.

Guests at the Katavi Wildlife Camp stay in double-bedded tents. 

Accommodation at the Katavi Wildlife Camp features a deck/veranda, power points, extra-long beds, en suite bathroom with shower, battery-charging, laundry service (free), mosquito nets, and room safe.

However, special dietary requirements or allergies must be notified to the Katavi Wildlife Camp when booking. The remote location can make it impossible to accommodate last-minute requests.

No, the water from the tap is not safe for consumption at Katavi Wildlife Camp. Please drink and brush your teeth with bottled mineral water in the bandhas.

Yes, the Katavi Wildlife Camp is a very safe place to stay. However, as this is an authentic wilderness camp, you should not leave your tent or wander around the camp after dark without an escort.

Hippos, elephants, and other wild animals occasionally visit, which can be dangerous. If there is an emergency, you should blow three times on the whistle, which you will find in your accommodation. For your valuables, there is a safe provided.

Yes, the Katavi Wildlife Camp has several activities, trips, and services available, some at an extra charge. These include game drives and birdwatching.

Yes, the Katavi Wildlife Camp offers a laundry service. As all clothes are dried by the sun, the turnaround time depends on the weather.

Yes, though, as it is solar-heated, it may need to run for a few minutes before it is hot.

Guests at the Katavi Wildlife Camp should sign each evening for any drinks consumed during the day, with payments made on departure day. Visa and Mastercard are accepted but are subject to a 3.5% surcharge. Payment in cash is acceptable, either Tanzanian Shillings, US Dollars, Euros, or Pounds Sterling. 

Any drinks consumed at the Katavi Wildlife Camp must be purchased at the camp bar. If you bring a particular drink into the camp, maybe for a special occasion, please discuss corkage charges with the camp manager.