Katavi National Park

Description: Isolated, untouched and with few visitors, Katavi is a true wilderness, providing a taste of the untouched Africa.

As Tanzania’s third largest national park it would attract large numbers of visitors, but it is in the remote Southwest part of Tanzania and difficult to reach. It is best to visit during the dry seasons (June through October) when water is scarce and for miles along the Katuma River, animals congregate in unbelievable numbers.

Towards the end of the dry season, up to 200 hippos might gather in one place and as more gather, the male rivalry heats up with ferocious territorial fights.

Location: Western Tanzania, reachable only with shared

Things 2 Do: Game Drives, Walking Safari, Fly Camping

Time: Stay at least 3 or 4 nights. Go in dry seasons: June to October and late-December to early March.

Animals: Thousands of Elephants, several herds of 1000-plus Buffalo and an abundance of Giraffe, Zebra, Impala, Hippos and Reedbuck, not to mention the numerous Lion prides and Spotted Hyena clans.

Accommodations

$
Chief Nsalamba Rest House

$$
Katavi Wildlife Camp
Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge

$$$$
Chada Katavi

Top photo credit: Foxes Safaris

Benu P. (USA)

July 3, 2025

“We are so happy we ultimately chose Access 2 Tanzania as our tour operator. I loved that the guides were all staff members and knew each other. The initiatives to give back to the local community was a big plus for us in choosing A2T. I also liked that it’s a smaller company so I felt the experience we got was completely customized to what we wanted. Everything from the initial sales call to the trip was just so easy and seamless. I will highly recommend A2T to anyone looking to do a trip and hopefully one day will be able to come back ourselves. Africa is a truly special place that we will never forget.”