Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge

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, Easy Travel Tanzania 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!

If you are coming from Kigoma, you can book a seat on the vehicle transfer to reach the Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge. The cost is $200 per person (minimum of two seats required). Vehicle transfer from Ikuu Airstrip to the lodge (0.5 hrs), Mpanda to Katavi (2 hrs), and Kigoma to Katavi (7 hrs; at this time, Mbali Mbali strongly advises against this last option as the road conditions are very uncomfortable and unpredictable).

Flights to the closest airstrip to Katavi (called Ikuu Airstrip) take about three hours from Arusha every Monday and Thursday. Book a seat on this Mbali Mbali Shared Charter to fly in or out of Arusha or the Northern Circuit destinations (minimum four seats all year round). Another option is the Mpanda Airport, which receives three weekly flights from Dar es Salaam.

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.

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 Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge is in the middle of Katavi National Park. 

Visitors to the Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge choose the dry season between July and October. Even though this is high season, the parks in this area are seldom crowded. Many lodges in this region are closed in April and May due to poor accessibility.

Guests at the Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge stay in safari tents. These are doubles, twins, or family tents (max three guests.)

Accommodation at the Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge features a deck/veranda, power points, lounge area, desk, extra-long beds, en suite bathroom with shower, laundry service (free), mosquito nets, tea/coffee.

The Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge offers a bar, free Wi-Fi, mobile connectivity, battery charging, a free laundry service, round-the-clock security, a library, and a restaurant. The lodge accepts credit cards, and free airport transfer is available to the nearest airport. (Other transfers can be added at an extra charge.)

Yes, the Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge welcomes children of all ages. 

Yes, though, special dietary requirements or allergies must be notified to the Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge at the time of booking. The remote location can make it impossible to accommodate last-minute requests.

Please note that a limit of three house beverages per person per day is included in the rate. (Additional drinks are chargeable.) Unlimited water and soft drinks are included.

No, the water from the tap is not safe for consumption. Please use bottled mineral water for drinking and brushing your teeth.

Yes, the Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge is a safe place to stay.

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

The Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge rate includes accommodation, three daily meals, three house beverages per day (all extra drinks are chargeable), unlimited water and soft drinks, and laundry (limited service). Game drives and airport transfers can be added at extra cost.