The name ‘Katavi’ immortalizes the legendary hunter, ‘Katabi’, whose spirit is believed to possess a local tamarind tree tinged with offerings from locals begging his blessings. Remote and wild, Katavi National Park, is the third largest national park in the country, yet one of the least visited, meaning you can look forward to having this huge wilderness to yourself.

Katavi boasts Tanzania’s largest population of crocodiles and hippos, while lion and leopard find prey among the huge population of herbivores – impala, eland, topi, zebra and herds of buffalo up to 1600 strong. The rare, honey coloured puku antelope is one of the park’s richest wildlife viewing rewards. The park’s main geographical features are the watery grass plains to the north, the palm-fringed Lake Chada to the south east and the Katuma River. These areas are particularly rich in wildlife.

Kaleidoscopes of birds flit across the riverbanks, swamps, and palm groves, while flotillas of pelican cruise the lakes and elephants graze waist deep in the marshlands. Katavi National Park is open throughout the year, but the best time to visit is May to October and December to February.

See Katuma Bush Lodge Information