Katuma Bush Lodge, Katavi National Park
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.
For those that want to get even closer to nature, we also offer fly camping – sleeping in the bush with just a mosquito net between you and the stars. With more than 4,000 sq km to explore, fly camping means that you can discover even the most remote and distant areas of this stunning park.
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Accommodation
Located in the centre of the park, on an elevated point over looking the vast plains of Katisunga, Katuma Bush Lodge consists of spacious and comfortably furnished tents, each with writing desks, lamps, fine linen and ensuite facilities offering hot and cold water. The lodge has been designed to blend in with its surroundings to avoid distracting from the beauty of Katavi.
Specific Resources
Activities
Game Viewing is exceptionally rewarding at Katavi due to the sheer abundance of wildlife, and begins early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Game drives are in 4 X 4 vehicles centre around the woodland areas along the seasonal lakes, where most of the game can be found including the big cats. We also offer short guided walking safaris leaving in the late afternoon when the light is at its best.
