Name: Katavi National Park
Address: Tanzania

Overview

Katavi is an exceptionally remote park and the oldest national park in Tanzania. Animals are plentiful, especially along the seasonal Katuma River and lakes Katavi and Chada. Found inside this wilderness are waterfalls, woodlands, shrublands, grasslands and seasonal river floodplains. Four of the Big Five are present. Many species of medium to large mammals, including zebra, buffalo, impala, elephant, giraffe, lion and leopard, make their home in Katavi, and crocodile and hippo are known to flounder and snap in its seasonal rivers and lavish marshes. Elephant, too, is abundant. Leopard sightings are more hit-and-miss.

High Season

July to October

Best Time to Go

August to October

Pros & Cons

The dry season is the best time to visit for the wildlife viewing experience
A bloat of hippos, a bask of crocodiles, a parade of elephants
Unusual antelope species, like sable and roan
Very exclusive and it doesn't get crowded

Relatively remote and there are very few budget options
Animals are dispersed during the Wet season
Most lodges are closed from March to May

Map in Tanzania

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Gallery Images

Explore the stunning beauty of Katavi National Park through our curated collection of photographs showcasing its landscapes, wildlife, and natural wonders.

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Wildlife & Animals

Wildlife incorporates enormous animal herds, especially of Cape Buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, and elephants, in addition to along the Katuma river, crocodiles and hippopotami which upon yearly dry seasons result in mudholes that can be loaded with many hippos. Carnivorous animals that wander this park are cheetahs, wild dogs, hyenas, leopards, and lions.

Wildlife Highlights

In the dry season, water is scant, so animals are attracted to the Katuma, Kavu and Kapapa Rivers. The wide Chada floodplain is a world-renowned hub for natural life with watering elephants, innumerable crocodiles, and hippos in huge numbers – in the stream, yet brushing on the banks in units. At the point when the waters retreat hippo swarm into the excess pools, crocodiles resign to collapse the mud dividers of the riverbank, and buffalo and elephants are attracted to the streams to drink. Wildlife epicureans can see sable, roan pronghorn and puku.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

The best time to visit for Wildlife experiences is in the Dry Season from June to October. Wildlife is simpler to spot since vegetation is more slender and animals assemble around predictable water sources. Travellers willing to make the long trek by vehicle, railway or chartered plane should visit during the dry season (between May and October); park roads often flood during the rainy season (October to April).

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Birds

Katavi is oftentimes visited during the dry season. However, this isn't the most brilliant time for bird watching, in any case, the rivers support countless bird species related to water including incredible herds of storks, for example, the open-billed, yellow-billed in addition to the saddle-billed stork. There are additionally a few raptors here, for example, the fish eagles, bateleurs plus white-backed vultures which are especially normal. More than 400 bird species have been recorded at this point. Migratory birds also can be seen from November up to April.

Best Time for Birding

Katavi can be visited year-round for birding, but at its best from November to April when the migratory birds from Europe and northern Africa are present, and many resident birds are in breeding plumage. This makes it the best time for bird watching. The best time to watch wildlife is during the Dry season, which is from June to October.

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Best Time to Visit – Katavi National Park

High Season

July to October

Low Season

Seasonal rains can affect access in some areas

Best Weather

Typically during dry months; check local patterns

Worst Weather

Peak of Wet season; very hot months vary by region

May to October (Dry Season)

Less vegetation and animals concentrate around water, making them easier to spot
The skies are clear, rain is rare, and there are fewer mosquitoes
Even though most tourists visit during the Dry season, the parks still feel uncrowded, except for the bustling Chobe riverfront area