Katavi

Katavi remains largely untouched, and during my visit in November 2024, I was the only guest in the entire park. In contrast, the Serengeti, which is three times the size of Katavi, hosts over 300 lodges and camps. Katavi, by comparison, has only three tented camps, making it an experience that feels far more exclusive.

Katavi is defined by its vast open floodplains, with seasonal lakes like Katavi, Katisunga, Chada, and Paradise dotting the terrain. These areas provide an abundance of wildlife, but the park is highly seasonal. Katavi is accessible from July to December, with September being the ideal time to visit.

Katavi is surrounded by game reserves as vast as the park itself. And even beyond these, the area is sparsely populated, and the animals roam freely, often as far as the shores of Lake Tanganyika. During the wet season, from December through May, the animals thus spread out over thousands of square kilometers. From June onwards, the dry season forces animals to return to and concentrate in the park. By September, you’ll see elephants daily, and the buffalo population becomes truly spectacular—herds of hundreds, sometimes thousands, grazing across the parched floodplains. Myriads of hippos and crocodiles gather in and around the shrinking pools, and regular battles break out among the hippo bulls. Rare roan and sable antelopes emerge from the miombo woodlands and roam the plains. Large herds of impala and topi are omipresent, while lions, spotted hyenas, and even the elusive wild dogs appear in pursuit. Leopards can also be spotted quite regularly along the Katuma River Channel.

Katavi is one of those places that feels as though it has remained unchanged since the days of the early European explorers. It embodies everything that gives Africa its reputation for vastness, wildness, and abundant big game. In Katavi National Park you can experience the wilderness in its raw, untouched state. If you're looking for true adventure, it’s also an ideal spot for fly camping, which means that you can basically camp anywhere with the only rule being not to leave any trace behind when you depart. I’ve included some pictures of fly camping with my family in the photo-gallery below. It will give you a sense of Katavi’s raw wilderness. To return to the destinations overview please click here.