Katavi National Park: Facts, Safaris, Reviews, Map & Lodges

Katavi National Park: Facts, Safaris, Reviews, Map & Lodges – The guide on Katavi National Park Tanzania. The attractions, safaris, and activities in Katavi National Park – were created in 1974 and are located in Katavi Region. – Everything to Know about this beautiful park. here we give you the latest information on the attractions, activities, best time, location and accommodation facilities around the park.

Tanzania | Katavi National Park – Home of Hippos and lots more

The safari park for safari enthusiasts is Katavi. Katavi National Park, Tanzania’s third-largest national park with a total area of 4,471 square kilometers (1,726 square miles), is also one of the least frequented national parks in the country. There aren’t any opulent lodges in this area; instead, there are a few no-frills safari camps where the sole topic of conversation is safari. Customers are drawn to Katavi because of how secluded it is, and as an added bonus, game viewing can be as untamed as you’ll find anywhere because Katavi is a prehistoric park and a real land of giants. Anyone who visits this wildlife park, which is a true jewel, will leave feeling as though they had a nearly perfect safari experience!

We also go ahead to show you how to best plan your safari as well as offer you sample packages with a free quote to help you plan your Walking and classic safari, 4 of the Big 5 (no rhino), abundant wildlife in the Dry season to Katavi National Park.

Katavi National Park is a Tanzanian national park created in 1974 and is located in Katavi Region, Tanzania. It is a very remote park that is less frequently visited than other Tanzanian national parks. The park is approximately 4,471 square kilometers (1,726 sq mi) in area, which makes it the third largest national park in Tanzania. The park encompasses the Katuma River and the seasonal Lake Katavi and Lake Chada floodplains.

Top Safari Packages in Katavi National Park

Wildlife in Katavi National Park

Katavi National Park offers one of the last authentically wild safari experiences on the continent, and is frequently booked alongside Mahale Mountains National Park. Visitors to Katavi will of course see most of what they will spot in other national parks, with lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, and wild dog just a few of the species that are regularly viewed here. However, what sets Katavi distinct, are the large congregations of numerous species. Elephant populations can sometimes reach in the hundreds, although this is becoming increasingly unusual over the African continent. Herds of buffalo can frequently number in the thousands. With these enormous herds wandering the plains, a sense of complete wilderness—almost prehistoric—is palpable.

Tanzania – KATAVI National Park – SAFARI – Lions, Hippos, Crocodiles, Elephants and many Birds.

Perhaps the most unique wildlife display in Katavi is its population of hippos. The park is home to one of the largest herds of these ferocious animals on the continent, with hippo sightings improving as the dry season draws to a close and the seasonal rivers nearly totally disappear. Because of this, there are fewer and fewer water pools where hippos can live, which can lead to aggressive territorial disputes between the sexes. The abundant crocodile population in the park is also impacted by the water shortage, as the crocodiles frequently create small caves on the banks of the Katuma River to shelter from the sun’s heat. Despite the lack of a natural environment, it is oddly rare to witness hippos and crocodiles fighting. Instead, it is typical to observe several enormous 4.5-meter crocodiles reclining next to a pod of hippos in peace.

This Katavi National Park is nothing short of extraordinary during the height of the dry season, when extraordinarily large numbers of wildlife are concentrating on the park’s few remaining water sources. This park’s incredible wildlife density and the overwhelming sense of wildness are what make it so extraordinary. If you want to get away from the crowds, Katavi is a serious candidate for Africa’s finest game-viewing park. There are upscale lodging options with a dash of adventure.

What you really need to know About Katavi National Park

The first thing to note is that safari fans would benefit most from visiting this park. Serious Africa enthusiasts flock to Katavi, where the topic of conversation at dinner is almost always Africa! The best camps in this area are designed for this type of customer and have a vibe that prioritizes the safari experience over all else. As a result, the top camps in Katavi are basic but luxurious. They should be great guides with a genuine interest in getting everyone outside and enjoying Katavi. This is not a park for luxurious luxury; rather, the style of the campgrounds here perfectly captures the essence of such a wild setting.

Katavi is not a cheap destination, with flights costing a minimum of $1,000 per person and a minimum advised stay of three nights! You will need at least two weeks to go overland to Katavi if you are prepared to put in the time, and you must travel in small groups to make the trip cost-effective.

Best Time to Visit Katavi National Park

Katavi National Park is a typical park for the dry season, with the game getting increasingly better as the dry season draws to a close. With the biggest densities of wildlife on the plains and the only water sources in the park, July through October is considered to be the finest time of year to travel. The game concentrations decrease from November to March, but the birding quality soars, and you are certain to have the park to yourself.

Top travel tips

We strongly advise combining your trip with a visit to the chimpanzees in Mahale Mountains National Park if you are going to be spending this much time and effort coming out to Katavi. One of the best weeklong safaris we ever run, truly a vacation of a lifetime, is this one!