Katavi National Park, Tanzania: A Comprehensive Safari Guide
It provides unspoiled animal watching in the country’s third largest national park, and in a rural setting away from the beaten track. The national park is Africa at its wildest – unspoiled bush settings, amazing views and plenty of species.
Tanzania’s third largest national park. Found in the distant southwest of the country, in a truncated arm of the Rift Valley that culminates in the shallow, brooding expanse of Lake Rukwa. Katavi National Park lies in the western part of Tanzania and is a wilderness one of the most pristine locations in the whole country.
The scenery in Katavi is varied and spectacular and beautiful. There are thick reed flood plains and dense streams with a large population of hippo and various birds. West, herds of buffalo and elephants hide in the forest canopy of the forests. After the rains, seasonal lakes fill with muddy coloured water and animals from all corners of the park descend in them to drink. The park also has the uncommon roan and sable antelope species and is a must-see for those people who plan to explore the wilds of the continent.
The bulk of Katavi is a hypnotically featureless expanse of tangled brachystegia woods, home to sizable but elusive populations of the localised eland, sable and roan antelopes. The Katuma River and surrounding floodplains such as seasonal lakes Katavi and Chada are the major focus for game watching within the park. During the rains the lush, marshy lakes become a sanctuary for a multitude of water birds and also host Tanzania’s densest concentrations of hippos and crocodiles.
The hippos of Katavi are the most unique wildlife show. In any sufficiently deep pool in the river, as many as 200 persons may flop together toward the conclusion of the dry season. More hippos in one area means male rivalry heats up — bloody territorial conflicts are everyday incidents, with the vanquished male compelled to lurk hapless on the wide plains until he gathers sufficient courage to undertake another challenge.
When to go to Katavi National Park
Katavi National Park can be visited all year round. During the drier months (May to October and December to February), the animals congregate around the remaining water bodies and can be reached easily. During the wetter months, the extensive wetlands offer splendid scenery to adventurous visitors.
It is during the dry season, when the floodwaters retreat, that Katavi truly comes into life. The Katuma, reduced to a shallow muddy trickle, forms the only source of drinking water for miles around, and the flanking floodplains support game concentrations that defy belief. An estimated 4,000 elephants might converge on the area, together with several herds of 1,000-plus buffalo, while an abundance of giraffes, zebras, impalas and reedbucks provide easy pickings for the numerous lion prides and spotted hyena clans whose territories converge on the floodplains.
Getting to Katavi National Park
By Air: Several companies like Zantas air, Safari air link (SAL) arrange charter flight from Dar es Salam, Mwanza or Arusha cities to either Mpanda airport which is located in Mpanda town or to Sitalike and Ikuu airstrips inside the park. Usually every Monday and Thursday. Coastal Aviation Charted flight within the park Ikuu airstrips.
By Road: From either Dar es Salaam via Mbeya (1513Km), Dar es Salaam via Tabora (1392km), Arusha via Tabora (1015.7km) or Mwanza via Tabora-Inyonga (741 km).
By Rail: It is also possible to reach Mpanda by train from Dar es Salaam via Tabora then catch a public transport to Sitalike, where game drives can be arranged.