Katavi is Tanzania’s third-largest national park, covering about 4,470 km² in the far west of the country. It sees only a few hundred visitors a year. For travellers who want a true wilderness safari, it is one of the best parks in Africa.
What makes Katavi special
- Hippos. In the late dry season, hundreds crowd into the shrinking pools of the Katuma River, and males fight for space.
- Buffalo. Herds of hundreds, sometimes more than a thousand, cross the Katisunga and Chada floodplains.
- Predators. Lions follow the buffalo, and leopards and spotted hyenas are common.
- Crocodiles gather in caves and mud along the river.
- Solitude. You may not see another vehicle all day.
Landscapes
Open floodplains, palm-fringed lakes and seasonal rivers lie among miombo woodland. Lake Katavi and Lake Chada fill in the rains and dry to grassland later in the year.
When to go
| Months | Conditions |
|---|---|
| June–October | Dry season; wildlife concentrates at water. Best, especially August–October. |
| November–March | Rains; some camps close and roads flood. |
| April–May | Most camps closed. |
Getting there
Scheduled light aircraft fly from Arusha or Dar es Salaam, often stopping at Ruaha or combined with Mahale. The flight takes several hours. Driving is possible but very long. Read about domestic flights in Tanzania.
Combine with Mahale
Katavi pairs well with chimpanzee trekking at Mahale Mountains on Lake Tanganyika. See Mahale chimps and read about birding in Katavi.
Frequently asked questions
In far western Tanzania, between Lake Tanganyika and Lake Rukwa.
June to October, especially August to October, when animals gather at the last water.
Usually by light aircraft from Arusha or Dar es Salaam, often combined with Mahale.
