Katavi
National Park is the Tanzania’s third largest National Park, it lies in the
remote southwest of the country, within a truncated arm of the Rift Valley that
terminates in the shallow, brooding expanse of Lake Rukwa.The wilderness of
Katavi National Park, located in the western area of Tanzania, is one of the
most untouched areas in the entire country.
Katavi’s
dramatic scenery is as varied as it is pristine. Flood plains of thick reeds
and dense waterways are home to a huge population of hippos and varied
birdlife. In the woodlands to the west, forest canopies shroud herds of
Buffaloes and Elephants. Seasonal lakes fill with dirty colored water after the
rains and animals from all corners of the park descend in them to drink. The
park is also home to the rare Roan and Sable Antelope species, and it is a
must-see for the visitors intending to explore the wilds of the continent.
WILDLIFE IN KATAVI
Katavi’s
most singular wildlife spectacle is provided by its Hippos. Towards the end of
the dry season, up to 200 individuals might flop together in any riverine pool
of sufficient depth. And as more Hippos gather in one place, so does male
rivalry heat up – bloody territorial fights are an everyday incident, with the
vanquished male forced to lurk hapless on the open plains until it gathers
sufficient confidence to mount another challenge.
Elephants
live here in huge numbers (about 4000 in the park), there are large groups of
Zebra, Giraffe, Hartebeest, Impala and other Antelope and impressive herds of
Buffalo, sometimes numbering thousands. Several prides of Lion follow their
prey around and Hyenas are common. Leopard are plentiful but as with
everywhere, difficult to see.
WHY VISIT KATAVI NATIONAL PARK
1. A true wilderness
2. Almost all the mammals
that are essential to East African plains are present in reasonable numbers
3. An exceptional of rough
natural beauty
4. A great feeling of
solitude because of the very small number of visitors
WHAT TO DO:
1. Walking safaris
2. Game Drives
3. Camping safaris.
4. Near Lake Katavi, visit
the tamarind tree inhabited by the spirit of the legendary hunter Katabi (for
whom the park is named) – Offerings are still left here by locals
GETTING THERE:
1. Charter flights from Dar
or Arusha
2. Drive from Dar es Salaam
or southern regions
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Katavi
National Park can be visited all year round. During the dry seasons (May to October
and December to February), the animals congregate around the remaining water
bodies and can be reached easily. During the wetter months, the extensive
wetlands offer splendid scenery to adventurous visitors.
