Katavi National Park
Overview
The park covering an area of 4,471 square kilometers, Katavi National Park is located about 40km from Mpanda town in southwest Tanzania, to the east of Lake Tanganyika, lying within a truncated arm of the Great Rift Valley that terminates in the shallow expanse of Lake Rukwa. A true wilderness and seldom visited, Katavi is famous for its undisturbed natural face compared to other parks in the country.
The main vegetation of the park is Miombo woodland with scattered Acacia trees near Lake Chada. The main focus for game viewing within the park is the Katuma River and associated floodplains such as the seasonal Lakes Katavi and Chada.
During the rainy season, these lush, marshy lakes are a haven for myriad water birds, and they also support Tanzania’s densest concentrations of hippo and crocodile. During the dry season, when the flood waters retreat, Katuma River forms the only source of drinking water for miles around, and the flanking floodplains support game concentrations that defy belief. An estimated 4,000 elephants might converge on the area, together with several herds of 1,000 plus buffalo, while an abundance of giraffe, zebra, impala and reedbuck provide easy pickings for the numerous lion prides and spotted hyena clans whose territories converge on the floodplains. Also to be seen are elands and the rare sable and roan antelopes.
Climate
Park’s climate is classified as tropical. The average temperature is 24.6 °C. In a year, the average rainfall is 1139 mm.Precipitation is the lowest in June, with an average of 0 mm. Precipitation is the lowest in June, with an average of 0 mm. With an average of 231 mm, the most precipitation falls in December. At an average temperature of 26.2 °C, October is the hottest month of the year. July has the lowest average temperature of the year. It is 22.7 °C.
How to Get There
Charted flight taking off at Ikuu airstrip
By Air: Several companies like Zantas air, Safari air link (SAL) arrange charter flight from Dar es Salam, Mwanza or Arusha cities to either Mpanda airport which is located in Mpanda town or to Sitalike and Ikuu airstrips inside the park. Usually every Monday and Thursday. Coastal Aviation Charted flight within the park Ikuu airstrips.
By Road: From either Dar es Salaam via Mbeya (1513Km), Dar es Salaam via Tabora (1392km), Arusha via Tabora (1015.7km) or Mwanza via Tabora-Inyonga (741 km).
By Rail: It is also possible to reach Mpanda by train from Dar es Salaam via Tabora then catch a public transport to Sitalike, where game drives can be arranged.
Tourism Activities
The park is endowed with various tourism activities that visitors can do during their visit. The activities includes; Nature Walking Safaris (Short Walking Safaris (SWS)), Long Walking Safaris (LWS), , Picnicking, Filming, Camping, Birding, Bush meals, Night Game Drive, Hiking and Game Viewing .
Game Viewing: This activity is conducted from 06:30 – 18:30 HRS, no additional fee for this activity. Four wheel (4X4) drive vehicles are recommended.
Long walking safari (Chorangwa Hiking Trail): Long walking safari (Chorangwa Hiking Trail) It takes more than five hours walking, more than 10kms long.
Short walking safari (Sitalike Walking Trail): Short walking safari (Sitalike Walking Trail) that range from 1-9kms Long, it takes more than three hours.
Birding: Katavi offers an outstanding diversity of birdlife, it has more than 450 species of birds, ranging from turkey sized group hornbill to the tiny sun birds.
Camping: Special campsites: places that are identified as potential with maximum exclusivity for visitors to stay for a night, usually these places don’t have facilities; ensure everything inn should be taken out. Pre booking through park contacts is required.
Public campsites: These are places with all important facilities available like Toilets, Bathrooms, kitchens, Dining and water.
Flying Camping: a very prominent mode of special camping where visitors maximizes privacy, adventurous and unique experience offered as moving safari, by stop and move.
Bush meals: Bush meals exemplifies the available places where visitors can take their food while doing game viewing or after walking safaris.
Filming: Taking recording picture for business purposes, or any official use, Filming fee: US $250 charged per person/day and covers conservation, camping and filming fees. Applicable to all visitors.
Night Game Drive: Night game drive the activity conducted during the night, using open vehicle and special spotlights to observe nocturnal or active during animals during night’ and their behavior. It gives an opportunity to see the range of animals which are generally unseen during the day
Picnicking: They are best places for outing or excursion in which participants carry food with them and share a meal in the open air.
Hiking: Walking through trails to a waterfall It is being practiced in Katavi National Park, 17 Kms walking Trails to an elevated point where it will be easy to view Waterfalls it includes Chorangwa, Lukima and Ndido waterfalls within the parks.