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The Katavi National Park,
at the foot of the Mlele
escarpment, was established in 1974 covering an area of 2253 square
kilometers. To protect the wildlife the government of Tanzania has
extended the area to include
Uwanda Rukwa Game Reserve and becoming
the third largest National Park in Tanzania. The park's main
feature is flood plain surrounding Lake Katavi and Chada and River
Katuma.
(See
Map of Katavi National Park)
It is about 40
kilometers south east of Mpanda town. Despite of being dissected by the
Mpanda - Sumbawanga road, it is considered by many as difficult to
reach, that makes Katavi one of the unspoiled and beautiful national
parks with variety of game life in Africa. (see
where it is on the map PDF). It is long and tough driving from
Mbeya to Katavi (about 340 miles drive). That is why we prefer
light aircraft from Arusha or Dar es Salaam and combined with either
Ruaha or Mahale together
The main vegetation in the
park is miombo woodland, acacia parkland, grassland plain and swamps
around the River Katuma, which joins Lake Katavi and Lake Chada.
Climate: though it is year round by
plane, the dry season is the best time to visit.
Dry Season: May to October and mid-December to February. Rainy Season: the long rains are from March to May, which makes
the road impassable. Temperature range between 15° C at night and 35° C
during the hottest hours.
Attractions
The lakes (Katavi and Chada) which are joined by
the River Katuma give an excellent attraction to the visitors. Bird
Watching around lakes and swamps provide the safest breeding ground for
the birds, over 400 species of birds have been recorded in Katavi
National Park, among others are pelicans, Water fowl, and
Flocks of open-billed storks, which are easily observed. the park has
one of the largest undisturbed herds of buffalo in Tanzania, hippos,
crocodiles and other sorts of reptiles. Other animals include lions,
leopards, roan and sable antelopes, reedbuck, topi, eland, zebra and
elephants, all are visible during the safari. The Katasunga plains, is much more
of attraction occupied with thousands of antelope, zebra, giraffe, topi,
hartebeest and Defassa waterbuck.
Sitalike is a park Headquarter
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