Katavi National Park

A remote park of floodplains, swamps and lakes in western Tanzania. In the dry season, July to October, wildlife crowds onto the shrinking water of the Katuma River and Lakes Katavi and Chada, with large buffalo herds and dense pods of hippo.

Best time
July to October, the dry season. The park is only accessible in these months.
Time to allow
At least three days

Katavi was gazetted in 1974. Through the long wet season the animals spread over a huge area in and around the park. As the dry season sets in they are pushed back to the swamps and lakes, and that is when the park is open to visitors.

Lion, hyena, elephant and crocodile are also present. More than 400 bird species have been recorded, with migrants from November to April. Walking safaris are possible.

Katavi is reached by light aircraft and is about 30 minutes' flying time from Mahale, so the two are often combined.

Wildlife

  • Buffalo
  • Hippo
  • Nile crocodile
  • Lion
  • Spotted hyena
  • Elephant