Katavi is one of Africa's last truly wild parks. It lies far out in western Tanzania, with no big roads and only a handful of camps, so you can drive for hours without seeing another vehicle.
Discover Katavi National Park
The heart of the park is a series of floodplains and seasonal lakes fed by the Katuma River. As the dry season goes on, the water shrinks and the wildlife comes to it — buffalo herds that can number in the hundreds or more, and hippos packed tightly into the remaining pools.
All that prey attracts predators. Lions, leopards and spotted hyenas are regular sightings, and the crocodiles of the Katuma are famous for sheltering in mud caves along the banks.
Katavi suits experienced safari-goers who want something raw and different. It pairs perfectly with chimp trekking in Mahale, a short flight to the west.
Wildlife in Katavi National Park
- Huge buffalo herds
- Hundreds of hippos in the dry-season pools
- Lion, leopard and spotted hyena
- Elephant and giraffe
- Crocodiles along the Katuma River
- Roan and sable antelope (less common)
Every drive is different — sightings are never guaranteed, and your guide reads the bush as you go.
Excursions and activities in Katavi National Park
Floodplain game drives
Long, quiet drives across open plains such as Katisunga, with wildlife gathering near the water.
Hippo pools
In the late dry season, watch hundreds of hippos crowd and jostle in the last pools of the river.
Walking safaris
Guided bush walks with an armed ranger — an exciting way to read tracks and feel the wilderness.
Combine with Mahale
Add chimpanzee trekking on Lake Tanganyika for one of the most special journeys in Tanzania.
Travel time to Katavi National Park
- Arusha → Katavi: by scheduled or charter light aircraft (several hours, often via other parks).
Travel tip from our guides about Katavi National Park
Plan Katavi early — there are only a few camps and flight seats, and the best months fill up fast.
How long to stay? Three or four nights to enjoy the space and the big dry-season gatherings.
Best time to visit Katavi National Park
Jun–Oct, and especially Aug–Oct, when wildlife crowds around the last water.
- Jun–Oct: the dry season. Aug–Oct is the peak, when animals crowd around the remaining water.
- Nov–May: wet and green; many camps close during the long rains and some areas become hard to reach.
Would you like to add Katavi National Park to your itinerary? Browse our Tanzania safaris for inspiration, or contact us for personal advice.