Katavi National Park in western Tanzania receives only a few hundred visitors a year. In the dry season, its floodplains and shrinking rivers concentrate wildlife dramatically: buffalo herds of more than a thousand, crowded hippo pools and lions that follow them.
With just a handful of camps and no crowds, Katavi is for travellers who want a truly wild safari, and it combines naturally with Mahale for chimpanzees.
Highlights
- Huge buffalo herds
- Hippo pools on the Katuma River
- Walking safaris
- Total solitude
Wildlife & what you'll see
- Buffalo
- Hippo and crocodile
- Lion and hyena
- Elephant and giraffe
Things to do
- Game drives
- Walking safaris
- Fly-camping
Best time to visit
July to October, when water is scarce and wildlife concentrates.
Getting there
Flights from Arusha or Ruaha, often paired with Mahale.
Experiences in Katavi
FAQs about Katavi
Can Katavi be combined with other parks?
Yes — most often with Mahale for chimpanzees, or with Ruaha on a southern and western safari.
