Tanzania
Katavi National Park
It's the third largest national park in Tanzania, and its inaccessibility contributes to its pristine wilderness and low visitor numbers,
offering an incredibly exclusive and authentic safari experience.
Introducing: Katavi National Park
At 4471 square kilometres, Katavi National Park is Tanzania’s 3rd largest wildlife reserve. The inaccessibility of Katavi National Park makes this prohibitively expensive for many people visiting this remarkable country. However, it is well worth the effort and expense once you get there. This is the park for the seasoned safari-goer and it never fails to fill visitors with wonder. It is one of the few places left in Africa that is literally off the beaten track and hence, one of Tanzania’s hidden gems. Due to the effort it takes to get this far west, people often combine it with seeing the chimps at Mahale Mountains.
Katavi is legendary for the sheer numbers of hippos and crocodiles, especially during the dry season. As waterholes shrink, hundreds (sometimes thousands) of hippos gather in shrinking pools, creating a dramatic spectacle of raw nature. Crocodiles also congregate in large numbers. Its remote location means minimal human disturbance, offering a true sense of exploration and an immersive wilderness experience. You are unlikely to encounter many other safari vehicles.
Experience the Katavi National Park
Known for its diverse landscapes and abundance of game, Katavi National Park's drawcard is its remoteness. This has ensured that the area has remained completely unspoilt. With so few visitors around, a Katavi safari is guaranteed to make you feel like the only people on earth! With large populations of elephants, lions, hippos and more, game viewing is beyond spectacular, especially during the dry season when water sources dwindle.
Located in the Rukwa Rift Basin, which forms part of the Central African Rift Valley, Katavi National Park boasts steep highland cliffs and escarpments, floodplains, vast grasslands and seasonal lakes, interspersed with woodlands.
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.
Roan antelopes at the Katavi National Park 
Lions at the Katavi National Park Locate the Katavi National Park
Katavi National Park Wildlife
The sheer number of game here is staggering. In particular, the elephant and buffalo herds are huge. Lion prides are plentiful and interactions between lion and buffalo can often be seen here. Enormous crocs and hippo pods can be found in the lakes. Whilst you can also be out for a day in parts of Selous and not meet another human soul, the same applies in Katavi ten-fold. It is a fact that concentrations of wildlife here surpass even the Ngorongoro crater but without a line up of cars next to a kill! The birdlife is also unsurprisingly good with plenty of storks from open-billed, saddlebilled to spoonbilled. Beautiful golden oriels and paradise flycatchers can also be found in abundance.
The park is named after the Wabende spirit, Katabi, who according to local legend lives in a tamarind tree near Lake Katavi. Locals looking for blessings from his spirit still leave offerings at the foot of the tree.
Katavi National Park Birdlife
Katavi National Park has magnificent birdlife, and over 400 species of birds are recorded in the park. Katavi is considered a top destination in Tanzania for birdwatching activities and a home to the rare Eleonora’s Falcon, found during the months of December and January.Other species of birds include bee-eaters, raptors, hornbills, Egyptian goose,Red -billed Teal, African black duck, helmeted guinea fowl, scaly francolin, little grebe, Namaqua dove, yellow- throated sandgrouse, fiery -necked nightjar, alpine swift , Jacobine cuckoo, black crake , white bellied bustard , Great Egret, European night-jar ,Hadada ibis, Bateuler , lizard buzzard scarce swift, Livingstone’s Turacogrey go away bird among others.
Find Similar Top Destinations in Tanzania
Tanzania's smallest but most renowned national parks, globally famous as the site of Jane Goodall's groundbreaking chimpanzee research.
Gombe National Park
It's the third largest national park in Tanzania, and its inaccessibility contributes to its pristine wilderness
Katavi National Park
One of the few places in Africa where lions are regularly seen climbing and lounging in trees.
Lake Manyara National Park
known for its chimpanzee trekking, offering an unparalleled opportunity to observe these incredible primates
Mahale Mountains National Park
Mikumi National park is home to a unique species of giraffe compared to its counterparts, with a mix of the Masai giraffe and the reticulated giraffe
Mikumi National Park
Its most famous feature is the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, often referred to as the "Eighth Wonder of the World."
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Formerly the vast northern part of the Selous Game Reserve, is Tanzania's largest national park and Africa's largest protected area.
Nyerere National Park
A wild and untamed gem, representing one of Africa's most authentic and rewarding safari experiences.
Ruaha National Park
Renowned for its incredible wildlife density and, most famously, the annual Great Wildebeest Migration
Serengeti National Park
Famous for its enormous elephant herds, iconic baobab trees, and its role as a dry-season refuge for a vast amount of wildlife
Tarangire National Park
How to reach us
We are easy to reach. You can call us on +254 115 351564 | +254 106 355764. Send us emails on info@viagensafricasafaris.com and you will receive a prompt response from us.
