Walking Safari, Game drives, Night Game Drives, Biking Safari, Canoeing Safaris
Katavi National park makes Tanzania to have full of “don’t miss” wildlife destinations that safari enthusiasts will just have to accept the fact, that they cannot all be done in one safari. Beyond that, Katavi plains are a must for the enthusiast and being far away and isolated. Besides that, in just 3hrs drive to Mahale Mountains National Park where you will be able to do chimpanzees Safaris. It is important to know that, Katavi remains as an idea, to be combined well with the Mahale Mountain National park. Since Mahale is now accessible by road from Katavi. For this reason, the western Tanzania adventures becoming more interested.
Katavi is 4471 sq. km large and protects only part of an even large ecosystem. Being part of Malagarasi valley Katavi is, therefore, an extensive open plains alternate with board-leafed woodlands, flat-topped acacia bush country, and wide swamps and lakes. It's river flow to the might Lake Tanganyika, therefore, it becomes the best combination for Safari.
What is the best time to visit Katavi?
This is a highly seasonal place only accessible in the dry months of June to October. As a matter of time, Katavi will be accessible all year round after an improvement of game drive roads. It is extremely remote and this is very remoteness is its strength for during the long wet season from October to May (8 months) the wild animals have free territory over a massive hinterland of several thousand square kilometers both within and outside the park, virtually untouched by man. Of course, they can move on with their lives and multiply here. As the dry season arrives they are forced slowly back to the swamps and lakes of Katavi, from here on, they get more and more concentrated.
Large areas of the park are hardly ever visited such as the Mlele escarpment with its waterfalls, lake paradise and the country between Katavi is one of those places that have not changed since early European explores first started entering Africans interior and it is the kind of place that gave this continent its reputation for being impenetrable, of huge scale and swarming with the big game you will need at least three days. This area makes it the heaven for bird watchers and canoeing safaris.
Which animals are found in Katavi National Park?
By September, elephants can be seen daily and the numbers of buffalo are phenomenal with heard upon heard of 1000 strong grazing the dried out flood plains. Hippo and crocs numbering in 1000s yet increasingly confined to shrinking pools and mud wallows, with regular fights erupting amongst the hippo bulls. Large herds of topi also concentrate into the flood plains.
The predators are here in force, especially lions and spotted hyenas. Male lions are characterized by very short manes but large powerful bodies. A little bit different from what is found in Norhern Tanzania.
In the hinterland are vast expanses of acacia and broad-leaved woodlands (miombo), and it is here that roan and sable antelope are found, as well as Lichtenstein’s hartebeest.
What to do in Katavi National Park?
Game driving by vehicle is the main activity, but guided walking safaris with a night game drive with just an overnight or two in a lightweight fly camp, and canoeing safaris are also popular,
Near Lake Katavi, visit the tamarind tree inhabited by the spirit of the legendary hunter Katavi (for whom the park is named- offerings are still left here by locals seeking the spirit’s blessings.
