Katavi National Park is a safari park for safari enthusiasts. Katavi, located near the Mahale Mountains in Western Tanzania, is off the beaten path and only sees a few visitors every year.

Katavi is Tanzania’s third-biggest national park, covering 4,471 square kilometers (1,726 square miles), and one of the country’s least frequented. There are no luxury hotels here; instead, there are a few of no-frills serious safari camps where the sole topic of conversation is safari. Katavi’s guests are drawn to it because of its isolation, with the added benefit that game watching may be as wild as you’ll find anyplace — Katavi is a prehistoric park, a genuine country of giants.

Anyone who visits this amazing jewel of a wildlife park will realize that they have just enjoyed an almost unrivaled safari experience!

Location

Katavi National Park is situated in Tanzania’s far west. It is one of the most beautiful and secluded locations in which we conduct safaris.

Katavi’s wildlife

Katavi provides one of the remaining really wild safari experiences on the continent and is frequently rented in conjunction with Mahale Mountains National Park. Visitors to Katavi will witness the majority of the animals that they would encounter in other national parks, including lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo, and wild dogs, to name a few. Katavi, on the other hand, is distinguished for its massive gatherings of diverse species.

Buffalo herds may number in the thousands, while elephant populations can number in the hundreds, something that is becoming increasingly unusual on the African continent. The sensation of absolute desolation is palpable, almost ancient, with these massive herds wandering the plains.

Perhaps Katavi’s most unique animal attraction is its hippos. The park has one of the largest herds of these ferocious creatures anywhere on the continent, with hippo sightings improving around the end of the dry season when the seasonal rivers dry up entirely. As a result, a growing number of hippos are limited to fewer and fewer water pools, resulting in intense territorial clashes between males!

The park’s enormous crocodile population is also affected by the lack of water, with crocs building shallow tunnels along the Katuma River’s banks to hide from the sun. Despite the lack of natural habitat, hippos and crocodiles seldom conflict, and it is not uncommon to see several massive 4.5-meter crocodiles laying peacefully close to a pod of hippos.

This park is nothing short of spectacular during the dry season, with extraordinarily high densities of animals concentrated on the park’s last sources of water. This park’s uniqueness comes from the incredible density of animals as well as the overwhelming sense of remoteness.

Katavi is a serious contender for Africa’s best game-viewing park if you want to avoid the throng. The lodging options are luxurious, yet they have an adventurous feel to them.

 

Browse our Kilimanjaro & Safari Combos
Book Now

Tanzania Safari Itineraries

Wildebeest migration crossing safari

9 Days Wildebeest Migration Crossing, August to October

This 9 day wildebeest migration safari was created to follow the Great Migration of the gnus. The tour takes us
Day tour Lake Manyara flamingos

1 Day Trip Lake Manyara National Park

A day trip to Lake Manyara National Park is a great chance to experience the authentic feel of Africa. Lake
tarangire National Park day trip

1 Day Trip Tarangire National Park

Your Tarangire day trip begins with a drive from your accommodation in Arusha to the Tarangire National Park, which will
Ngorongoro Crater Safari

1 Day Ngorongoro Crater Safari

A day tour to Ngorongoro Crater will provide an opportunity to discover Tanzania wildlife through a one-day game drive activity.
Arusha National Park day trip

1 Day Arusha National Park Safari

Arusha National Park day trips are always rewarding experiences to come from within Arusha town, which is only 45 minutes
10 Days Tanzania Safari

10 Day Tanzania Safari Experience

For 10 Days in Tanzania, this safari covers all the best attractions of the Northern Circuit. This itinerary perfectly blends
Kilimanjaro, safari and Zanzibar

15-Day Kilimanjaro Machame Climb, Serengeti Safari, and Zanzibar

This 15-day safari, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar beach trip include climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, going on safari in the greatest national parks
Northern and Southern Tanzania Safari

21 days Tanzania Safari + Zanzibar Beach - 3 Weeks in Northern and Southern Tanzania

Experience the best of Tanzania's wildlife with a 21-day safari that includes Nyerere National Park, one of the most underrated
Tanzania Photographic safari

12-Day Tanzania Photography Safari

Our 12 days Tanzania Photographic safari takes you through the Northern Safari Circuit, a region renowned for its abundant wildlife,
Tanzania honeymoon safari

12 Day Tanzania luxury honeymoon safari experience with Zanzibar Beach

Embark on a 12 Day honeymoon safari experience with Tranquil Kilimanjaro, where Tanzania's captivating wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and romantic settings
Tanzania honeymoon safari

12 Day Romantic Tanzania Honeymoon safari + Zanzibar Beach

Elope to a romantic adventure with a 12-day honeymoon safari and beach package in the spice islands of Zanzibar. Begin
11 Days Tanzania safari and Zanzibar Beach

11 Days Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Beach

This is an unforgettable 11 days safari and Zanzibar beach escapade through Tanzania's magnificent landscapes and wildlife. Begin in Arusha
Tanzania lodge, tented camp safari and Zanzibar

10 Days Lodge + Camping Tanzania Safari + Materuni Cultural Tour

An incredible 10-day safari adventure in Tanzania combining both lodge safaris and Tented camping safaris at your pleasure, exploring the
great wildebeest crossing

10 days Mara river crossing & Great Wildebeest migration, Serengeti safari

This 10 day Mara River Crossing safari itinerary offers a unique opportunity to witness the awe-inspiring event of the great
wildebeest with calves twins

8 Days Ndutu - Wildebeest Calving Season Safari

The 8 day Ndutu Exclusive Calving safari is 100% proof that there is never a dull day at the Ndutu
Tanzania honeymoon safari

7-Day Honeymoon Safari in Tanzania

Choose this romantic and adventurous 7-day honeymoon safari in Tanzania, a perfect way to celebrate your love amidst breathtaking wildlife
7 days Tanzania luxury safari

7 Days Tanzania Luxury Safari

7-day luxury safari in Tanzania where every moment is carefully crafted to offer an unforgettable experience is just for you

7 Days Ngorongoro Crater Rim Walking Safari & Maasai Village Visit

A mesmerizing 7-Day Safari that features Walking Along the Crater Rim and Visiting Maasai Village In this incredible 7-day adventure,
7 days great wildebeest migration safari

7-Day Great Wildebeest Migration Safari in the Western & Central Serengeti

An unforgettable 7-day great wildebeest adventure across the Western Corridor, Grumeti, and Mbalageti to Central Serengeti through Tanzania's wilderness with
Tanzania safari 10 days

10 Days Best of Tanzania Safari

The 10-day Best of Tanzania safari adventure will immerse you in the wonders of this extraordinary East African country, showcasing
Safari and Kilimanjaro

7 days Tanzania Safari

A captivating 7-day Tanzania safari that takes you to the Northern Circuit of Tanzania where you will visit the best
Ballon flying over Serengeti

7 days Tanzania Fly-in Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Luxury Safari + Optional Balloon Safari

This is a 7-day fly-in luxury safari adventure that will take you deep into the heart of Tanzania's most iconic
6 days Tanzania walking safari, ngorongoro crater rim and lake natron

6 days Ngorongoro Crater Rim, Empakaai & Lake Natron Walking Safari

This is an active 6-day safari adventure that combines the best of Tanzania's national parks with an unforgettable hike from
6 days Tanzania Safari

6 days Tanzania Safari

A fulfilling 6 days Tanzania safari that showcases the heavyweights in the Northern Circuit, a journey through Tanzania's remarkable landscapes
Wildebeest calving safari

6 Day Wildebeest Calving season & Migration Safari in Ndutu - Serengeti

The 6 days of wildebeest migration and calving safari welcomes you to the incredible world of wildebeest migration and calving
Tanzania safari

5 Days Tanzania Safari

Welcome to an unforgettable 5-day Tanzania safari adventure! Prepare to be captivated by the enchanting beauty and incredible wildlife of
4 days Tanzania Safari

4 Days Tanzania Safari - Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro

Get on this 4 days Tanzania unforgettable journey through the breathtaking landscapes and abundant wildlife of Tanzania with this 4-day

4 days Ngorongoro & Serengeti Safari

The brief 4 days Ngorongoro and Serengeti safari is an unforgettable journey through the iconic landscapes of Tanzania as this
3 days Tanzania safari

3 days Tanzania Safari - Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara

The 3-day Tanzania safari takes you to some of the country's most iconic wildlife destinations. Begin your journey in Arusha
3 days Tanzania safari from Zanzibar

3 days Tanzania Safari from Zanzibar

Embark on an unforgettable adventure with our 3-day Tanzania safari from Zanzibar. Leave the white sandy beaches of Zanzibar behind
3 days Serengeti Safari

3 days Serengeti Safari

Man, that 3-day Serengeti safari? It's not just a trip; it's like stepping into a National Geographic special, but you're

3 days Ngorongoro Safari

Experience the 3-day adventure safari to the iconic Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. Nestled within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, this natural

Katavi National Park Facts

First and foremost, this park is ideally suited for safari fans. Katavi is a haven for serious Africa buffs, with dinner conversations mainly centered on the continent! The best camps here are designed specifically for this type of customer, with an emphasis on the safari experience above all else. As a result, the greatest campgrounds in Katavi are straightforward yet luxurious. Expect good guidance and a strong emphasis on going out and exploring Katavi on their own.

This isn’t a park for lavish luxury; it’s a place where the camp-style reflects the wildness of the setting.

Katavi is not a cheap vacation, with airfares starting at $1,000 per person and a suggested stay of three nights or more. If you want to go overland to Katavi, you’ll need at least two weeks, and you’ll need to travel in small groups to make it financially feasible.

Katavi National Park has a variety of activities.

  • Driving a game
  • Safari on foot
  • Camping on the wing
  • There will be no night safari.

When is the best time to visit Katavi National Park?

Katavi National Park is a typical dry-season park, with the game increasing better as the dry season progresses.

The optimum time to visit is from July to October when there are the biggest densities of animals on the plains and the park’s sole water sources. From November to March, wildlife densities decrease, but the quality of birding improves dramatically – and you can count on having the park to yourself!

Katavi travel advice

We highly recommend combining your vacation to Katavi with a visit to the Mahale Mountains National Park’s chimpanzees if you have the time and energy. This is one of the best week-long safaris we provide anywhere — a true once-in-a-lifetime experience!