Katavi National Park
Katavi National Park
Overview
It offers un-spoilt wildlife viewing in the country’s third-largest national park, in a remote location far off the beaten track. The national park is Africa at its most wild — unadulterated bush settings, spectacular views, and rich wildlife.
Tanzania’s third largest national park; it lies in the remote area southwest of the country, within a truncated arm of the Rift Valley that terminates in the shallow, brooding expanse of Lake Rukwa. The wilderness of Katavi National Park, located in the western area of Tanzania, is one of the most untouched areas in the entire country.
Katavi’s dramatic scenery is as varied as it is pristine. Flood plains of thick reeds and dense waterways are home to a huge population of hippo and varied birdlife. In the woodlands to the west, forest canopies shroud herds of buffaloes and elephants. Seasonal lakes fill with dirty coloured water after the rains and animals from all corners of the park descend in them to drink. The park is also home to the rare roan and sable antelope species, and it is a must-see for the visitors intending to explore the wilds of the continent.
The bulk of Katavi supports a hypnotically featureless cover of tangled brachystegia woodland, home to substantial but elusive populations of the localised eland, sable and roan antelopes. Nevertheless the main focus for game viewing within the park is the Katuma River and associated floodplains such as the seasonal Lakes Katavi and Chada. During the rainy season, these lush, marshy lakes are a haven for myriad water birds, and they also support Tanzania’s densest concentrations of hippos and crocodiles.
Katavi’s most singular wildlife spectacle is provided by its hippos. Towards the end of the dry season, up to 200 individuals might flop together in any riverine pool of sufficient depth. And as more hippos gather in one place, so does male rivalry heat up – bloody territorial fights are an everyday incident, with the vanquished male forced to lurk hapless on the open plains until it gathers sufficient confidence to mount another challenge.
FAQs Katavi National Park
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Katavi National Park is generally June to October, during the dry season. Wildlife gathers around shrinking water sources, making animals easier to spot, while the dry weather provides excellent conditions for game drives.
Getting There
Katavi National Park is a remote destination in western Tanzania. The easiest way to reach the park is by scheduled or chartered flight from Arusha, Dar es Salaam, or other major Tanzanian destinations to nearby airstrips such as Mpanda or Ikuu. It can also be reached by road, although journeys are long due to the park's remote location.
Climate
Katavi National Park has a tropical climate with warm temperatures throughout the year. The park experiences a distinct dry season from June to October and a wet season from November to May, when the landscape becomes lush and green.