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.
Stone Age and Iron Age sites (one iron kilns site is
just north of Sitalike) testify the early settlement of
human ancestors in this area. Up until now, sacred sites
and places of worship exist inside the Park’s boundaries
