Katavi National Park

Pros & Cons

• Good general wildlife viewing in the Dry season
• Hippo pods converge in spectacular numbers in the Dry season
• Unusual antelope species such as sable and roan
• Very exclusive and doesn't get crowded
• Difficult to get to and accommodation options are limited
• Animals are scattered during the Wet season
• Most camps close for part or all of November to May

Wildlife

There might not be the widest variety of wildlife on the average game drive, but sightings tend to be spectacular, and you’ll mostly have them to yourself. Lion and elephant are common, and you can also expect to see thousand-strong herds of buffalo. Even more remarkable are the park’s hippos, which are forced to gather together in their hundreds in small pools as the rivers dry up, leading to regular fights between the highly territorial males.

• More about Katavi's wildlife

Scenery

The habitat is mainly grassland savannah and miombo woodland in the east of the park. After the rains, the dusty floodplains typical of the Dry season are transformed into lush marshes and shallow lakes.

Activities

The main activity in the park is game drives. These generally focus on the floodplains and watercourses, which tend to support the most wildlife and be free of the tsetse flies that haunt more densely wooded areas. Night drives and walking safaris are also available.

Weather & Climate

Katavi is a hot place. The average daytime temperature is 31°C/88°F, but peak temperatures are much higher. Evenings are generally mild with temperatures around 18°C/64°F. It is mostly dry from May to October (the Dry season), but afternoon showers can be expected in the Wet season (November to April) when the humidity tends to be really high.

• More about the weather and climate

Best Time To Visit

It’s best to visit Katavi from July to October, which is during the middle and end of the Dry season. At this time, animals gather on the floodplains to get a drink and the thin vegetation won’t shield them from your view. During the Wet season and at the beginning of the Dry season, from November to May, many game-drive tracks are impassable. Most camps close for part or all of the months of November to May.

• More about the best time to visit

Want To Visit Katavi NP?

Katavi Safaris

• Katavi Safaris & Tours
• Tour Operators for Katavi