Katavi National Park

Get A Free Quote

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.

Katavi National Park Articles

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.

Weather in Katavi National Park

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Green Season

Long Rain Season

Dry Season

Short Rain Season

Let's plan your trip around Katavi National Park

Enquire now, and our safari specialist will get back to you shortly.

Popular Activities in Katavi National Park

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

Walking Safari

Bird Watching

Game Drive

Cultural Tour

Bush Meal

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.

African wild dogs

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

Crocodiles

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!

Cheetah

The cheetah is a large and powerful feline native to Africa and the world's fastest land animal, running 70 miles per hour!

Cape Buffalo

The African buffalos are massive mammals with brown to dark hoofed color and drooping fringed ears. They also have large curved horns and can weigh from 425 to 900 kilograms.

Hippo

Hippos are massive animals that can weigh up to almost 1,500 kilograms. They have enormous heads, stumpy legs, and a nasty temperament.

Giraffe

Giraffes are the tallest living hoofed mammals and the largest ruminant on Earth! You'll be amazed when you see them up close during your game drive or walking safari activity.

Leopard

Leopards are big cats with light colors, and distinctive black spots called rosettes. Poop, urine scents, and tree scratches mark each territory.

Zebra

Zebras are wild and untamable. They have a pretty aggressive streak and are quick to get angry, so it's best to keep a safe distance from them.

Wildebeest

Also known as gnus, wildebeests are part of the antelope family. They are heavily built animals with large box-like heads and curved horns.

Elephant

Elephants are the world's largest land mammals and are among the wildlife you can see in Tanzania. Despite their massive size, they are still gentle creatures.

Birdlife 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.

Grey Crowned Crane

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

Ostrich

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.

Grey Heron

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.

Senegal Plover

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

Snake Eagle

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!

Green Pigeon

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.

Attractions and Landscapes 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.

Lake Katavi

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

Katsunga Plains

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.

Chada Plain

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.

Katuma River

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.

Floodplains

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.

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.

Comfort Plus

Tented Camp

Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge

Katavi National Park

Comfort Plus

Tented Camp

Katavi Wildlife Camp

Katavi National Park

FAQs related to 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.

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.
- 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.

How you can plan your trip to Katavi National Park

Reach out and share your trip wish list with us today.
Our safari specialist will help plan your trip.
Confirm your booking with us and begin packing for your adventure.
Have an incredible safari experience with our excellent guide; take amazing pictures and share them with your friends and families.

Other parks, lakes, and mountains

Tanzania is home to some of the most beautiful and unique national parks in the world, with stunning landscapes, abundant wildlife, and unforgettable adventures.

Do you need help planning your Tanzania Tour?

Our experts are ready to help you plan your tour

Our contact information

Our address:

Ground Floor, New Safari Hotel, Boma Road, Arusha 1912, Tanzania

Call us at:

+255 754 400 141

WhatsApp Us:

+255 754 400 141

Katavi National Park

Get A Free Quote

Katavi National Park

Why Visit Katavi National Park

Katavi National Park Articles

Getting to Katavi National Park

By road

By air

Best time to visit Katavi National Park

Weather in Katavi National Park

Let's plan your trip around Katavi National Park

Popular Activities in Katavi National Park

Walking Safari

Bird Watching

Game Drive

Cultural Tour

Bush Meal

Wildlife in Katavi National Park

African wild dogs

Crocodiles

Cheetah

Cape Buffalo

Hippo

Giraffe

Leopard

Zebra

Wildebeest

Elephant

Birdlife in Katavi National Park

Grey Crowned Crane

Ostrich

Grey Heron

Senegal Plover

Snake Eagle

Green Pigeon

Attractions and Landscapes in Katavi National Park

Lake Katavi

Katsunga Plains

Chada Plain

Katuma River

Floodplains

Where to stay in Katavi National Park

Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge

Katavi Wildlife Camp

FAQs related to Katavi National Park

What is Katavi National Park famous for?

When was Katavi established?

Is Katavi worth the visit?

What are the highlights of a Katavi Park trip?

What are the lodges options in Katavi National Park?

What safari activities can I do in Katavi?

Which is the fastest way to reach Katavi Park?

How much is the entrance fee to Katavi Park?

How you can plan your trip to Katavi National Park

Other parks, lakes, and mountains

West Kilimanjaro

Lake Manyara

Lake Eyasi

Kilimanjaro National Park

Serengeti National Park

Ruaha National Park

Do you need help planning your Tanzania Tour?

Our contact information

Our address:

Call us at:

WhatsApp Us:

Follow us at

Get our directions

Get A Free Quote