Katavi National Park in western Tanzania is remote and wild, a destination for the true safari enthusiast. The park is home to the rare roan and sable antelope species, and is a must-see for the visitor intent on exploring the wilds of the continent.

Despite being Tanzania’s third-largest park, Katavi sees relatively few visitors, meaning that those guests who arrive here can look forward to having this huge untouched wilderness to themselves. The park’s main features are the watery grass plains to the north, the palm-fringed Lake Chada in the south-east, and the Katuma River.

 

Katavi boasts Tanzania’s greatest populations of both crocodile and hippopotamus. Lion and leopard find prey among the huge populations of herbivores at Katavi – impala, eland, topi, zebra and herds of up to 1,600 buffalo wander the short grass plains. The rare, honey-colored puku antelope is one of the park’s richest wildlife viewing rewards. A kaleidoscope of birds flit across the riverbanks, swamps and palm groves while flotillas of pelican cruise the lakes and elephant graze waist-deep in the marshlands.

 

Katavi is best visited in the dry season between July and October. As water becomes limited in the dry season, the animals are drawn to the riverbanks. Hippopotamus in their thousands cram dwindling pools, crocodiles dig riverbank caves. Buffalo and elephant compete for waterholes.  Lion, hyenas and other predators know this and wildlife watching here becomes even more outstanding.

This is a real off the beaten track safari - travel back in time and experience an excellent Tanzania safari without the crowds of people in the more well-known parks.