Overview

Explore Katavi National Park with Saruni Crest

Katavi National Park is one of Tanzania’s most remote and least visited national parks, offering an untouched wilderness experience for true safari enthusiasts. Covering approximately 4,471 square kilometers, it is the third-largest park in the country and is located in western Tanzania near Lake Tanganyika. Its isolation makes it a hidden gem, ideal for travelers seeking authentic wildlife encounters away from tourist crowds.

Location & Landscape

Katavi lies within the western arm of the East African Rift Valley and is characterized by diverse landscapes including vast floodplains, the Katuma River, Lake Katavi, Lake Chada, brachystegia woodlands, and seasonal grasslands. These habitats support some of Africa’s largest wildlife congregations, especially during the dry season.

Wildlife Highlights

Katavi is famous for its massive buffalo herds—often numbering over a thousand—and large elephant populations. Lions, leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, and even African wild dogs are frequently sighted. Along the Katuma River, hundreds of hippos crowd into shrinking pools, and crocodiles bask in the sun. Bird lovers can spot over 400 bird species, including saddle-billed storks, pelicans, fish eagles, and African jacanas.

Day 1 :

Arrival & First Encounter with the Wild

Route: Charter flight from Dar es Salaam or Arusha to Mpanda airstrip → Road transfer to Katavi National Park (approx. 1.5 hours)
Upon arrival at Mpanda airstrip, you’ll be welcomed by your Shaka Adventure guide and transferred to your lodge or tented camp in the park. After check-in and lunch, head out for your first afternoon game drive across the Katisunga Plains, where you may encounter elephants, buffalo, zebras, and giraffes. Enjoy a sunset stopover with refreshments as hippos emerge from waterholes. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 02 :

Full-Day Safari Experience

Route: Game drive and walking safari across Lake Chada and Katuma River plains
Begin your day early with coffee and snacks before heading out for a morning walking safari accompanied by an armed ranger. Track footprints, learn about medicinal plants, and possibly spot antelope or predators in their natural setting. Return for breakfast, then relax during the midday heat. In the afternoon, embark on a game drive through the woodlands, riverbanks, and grasslands, searching for lions, leopards, and massive buffalo herds. Optionally, experience a fly-camp dinner setup under the stars. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Day 03 :

Sunrise Safari & Departure

Route: Early game drive → Transfer to Mpanda airstrip → Flight back to Dar es Salaam or Arusha
Wake up before dawn for a final game drive focused on last-minute sightings of predators and large mammals. After breakfast and check-out, enjoy a scenic drive out of the park with packed lunch. Transfer to Mpanda airstrip for your charter flight back.