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Introduction to Katavi National Park

A relatively untouched wilderness, Katavi National Park is a remote paradise in Western Tanzania and home to the world’s largest buffalo herds.

Here, you’ll enjoy various safari activities and witness rich wildlife sightings without a massive crowd of tourists. Moreover, with the park’s stunning landscape backdrop, your safari experience in Katavi will be intimate and more special.

Why visit Katavi National Park?

Katavi National Park boasts some of Tanzania’s largest buffalo and elephant concentrations.

It’s less frequented by tourists due to its remoteness, making it an ideal destination for a quiet and more unique safari experience.

During Katavi’s dry season, you’ll witness over 200 hippos in Katuma River’s deep pools.

Katavi boasts many habitats, including waterways teeming with crocodiles and hippos, making game viewing more exciting.

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Getting to Katavi National Park

By Road

Katavi National Park can be reached by road from Arusha. The journey from Arusha takes around 1100km/16 hours drive.

By Air

There are scheduled flights to Katavi National Park from Arusha and Dar es Salaam with Auric Air and Coastal Aviation.

Best Time to visit Katavi National Park

Katavi offers a year-round safari experience to safari-goers like the touristy northern Serengeti.

However, if you wish to have the best possible experience without getting too wet, it’s best to go to the park during the dry season, from June to October.

During this period, you will witness huge herds of wildlife grazing or gathering around watering holes, where you’ll most likely see Katavi’s most singular wildlife spectacle.

Let's plan your trip around Katavi National Park.

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Weather in Katavi National Park

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Things to do in Katavi National Park

You may check out all the fantastic and thrilling safari activities below.

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Wildlife in Katavi National Park

This vast expanse of lush savannah is home to a wide variety of incredible animals, from lions and elephants to antelope and wildebeest.

At Katavi, you will likely see many enormous crocodiles basking in the sun or staying in the mud pools. This is a pretty normal sight at this park, which can make your jaw drop!

Crocodiles

Aggressive, enormous, moody, and fast, Cape Buffalos are the animals that hunters are most wary of. These safari creatures have more hunters than any other animal species.

Cape Buffalo

Cheetahs are among the most anticipated wildlife to see at Katavi. They own distinctive spots called rosettes, which makes them unique and captivating.

Cheetah

Katavi is well known to have a huge elephant concentration. You'll see these gentle giants in your wild adventure at Katavi in huge numbers.

Elephant

As the tallest world mammals, giraffes are such a sight to see in the park. Even at a distance, you'll see them towering over some of the trees in the park, making it a fascinating sight to see.

Giraffe

Known as excellent scavengers, you may find hyenas scavenging for their meals during your Katavi trip. If lucky enough, you may see them in action, stealing the kill of other animals.

Hyena

Zebras remain unique due to their fingerprint-like stripes. Interestingly, these animals can sleep even while standing and can communicate with each other non-verbally.

Zebra

Leopards are the most secretive and elusive species of big cats. These animals are pretty fast and strong and can drag a kill that's much heavier than them.

Leopard

The wildebeests can also be found in Katavi. Though not as much in number as in the northern Circuit, these animals peacefully reside in the park's plains, along with other animals.

Wildebeest

Katavi is famous for its hippo population. Almost unbelievably, you get to see about 600 hippos in Katavi's huge hippo pool, particularly during the dry season!

Hippo

Katavi is known for housing endangered animals, including African wild dogs. These social animals usually gather in packs with around 10 to 40 individuals.

African wild dogs

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Birds in Katavi National Park

Birds are a popular sight in the diverse ecosystem of Katavi National Park, one of Tanzania’s most pristine and beautiful natural areas.

With mostly yellowish-green plumage and pointed tail feathers, green pigeons are among the bird species that will likely catch your interest during bird watching.

Green Pigeon

Primarily found in cultivated plains and savannas, you may find one or two snake eagles during a game drive. This makes your safari activity more scenic and enjoyable!

Snake Eagle

These birds are highly noticeable due to their dark brown plumage, streaked neck, and face, and large yellow facial wattles.

Senegal Plover

Grey herons have distinct characteristics that you'll not find in most birds. They are tall with necks with unusually long, long beaks and black and white feathering.

Grey Heron

Large and flightless, ostriches are the world's largest birds you can encounter in Katavi National Park. They can be as tall as 9 feet and weigh up to 320 pounds.

Ostrich

The grey-crowned ones have grey bodies, erect golden feathers on their heads, white wings, and feathers that range from brown to gold.

Grey Crowned Crane

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Landscape in Katavi National Park

Being the third-largest park in Tanzania, Katavi boasts a wide range of landscapes that include but are not limited to floodplains, the Usangu Plateau, and more.

The remote floodplains in Katavi are teeming with wildlife. It's mainly located in Tanzania's far west corner, giving a panoramic view of the massive herds of zebras, buffaloes, and elephants.

Floodplains

The Katuma River sustains life in the park, which is why it's called the park's lifeline. On top of that, the river is also the center of animal viewing.

Katuma River

Lake Chada is currently the habitat of huge numbers of wildlife. Here, you can quickly spot Chada's 16 pride of lions, buffalos, and huge herds of elephants.

Chada Plain

Katsunga Plains are rich with a wide range of wildlife bases. It's one of the best places in Tanzania for wildlife viewing, right after the world-famous Serengeti plains.

Katsunga Plains

According to the famous local legend, the park's name is derived from the Wabende spirit, Katabi, who lives in a tamarind tree close to Lake Katavi.

Katabi Tree

Lake Katavi is an excellent birding destination for many water birds and supports most of Tanzania's densest crocs and hippos.

Lake Katavi

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Where to stay in Katavi National Park

With comfortable accommodations, amazing views, and world-class hospitality, Katavi National Park has several spectacular spots to choose from.

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Reviews of Katavi National Park

Top questions answered for Katavi National Park

Ruaha National Park is unlike anywhere you’ve been before. So, you have questions. We’ve been visiting for decades. So, we have answers.

What is Katavi National Park famous for?

Katavi National Park is famous for its vast herds of a comprehensive animal range, including some of the biggest concentrations of Cape buffalo, elephants, crocodiles, and hippos. Around 4,000 elephants are known to converge on Kituma River banks in search of water sources.

When was Katavi established?

Katavi National Park was established in 1974 in the Katavi Region of Tanzania. It’s a less-frequented park, yet those who venture here are among the luckiest!

This is because it will feel like you have the entire park by yourself. Besides, you can do many thrilling activities at the park, like game drives, camping, canoeing, and walking safaris.

And stunning landscapes as a backdrop, making your trip to Katavi one of the most memorable memories in your life.

Is Katavi worth the visit?

Katavi is worth visiting despite its remote location, particularly during the dry season from June to October. Many animals congregate around watering holes during this time to refresh and quench their thirst.

You’ll see, in particular, up to 600 hippos and crocodiles in the Ikuu hippo pool fighting for a free spot to plunge their bodies, avoiding the sun’s intense heat.

What are the highlights of a Katavi Park trip?

Beautiful remote location with refreshingly low numbers of visitors.
Varied habitats, ranging from open grasslands and wooded areas to rivers and seasonal lakes.
A wide array of big games is present at the park, including vast herds of thousand-strong buffalo.
Incredibly high populations of crocodiles and hippos.
Experience real bush via walking safaris.
The superb presence of over 400 bird species at the park.
Historical and cultural sites, including the legendary Katabi Tree, where the park’s name is derived from.

What are the lodges options in Katavi National Park?

Among the options are the Chada Camp, Mbali Mbali Katavi, Katavi Wildlife Camp, Katuma Bush Lodge, and more. For more info, you may contact us today.

What safari activities can I do in Katavi?

The park boasts many exciting safari activities, including fly camping, guided game drives, walking safaris, boating or canoeing, bird watching, and more.

Which is the fastest way to reach Katavi Park?

The fastest way to reach Katavi National Park is to travel by air. It takes about 4 to 5 hours to get to Katavi by plane from Arusha or Dar es Salaam.

How much is the entrance fee to Katavi Park?

Katavi National Park entrance fee is $20. However, the entrance fee is included if you get a tour package.

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