Created in 1974, Katavi National Park is situated in the Katavi Region in southwestern Tanzania. It is located north of the ‘Rukwa Rift’, an extension of the Western Rift Valley. With an area of roughly 4,471km², Katavi is the third-largest national park in Tanzania. The park is home to the Katuma River, Lake Chada floodplains, and the seasonal Lake Katavi.

There are only 3 permanent camps in Katavi National Park: Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge, Chada on the Chada Plain, and the Foxes on the Katuma Plain. Each camp has the capacity to host 12 visitors, a limit which adds to the sense of exclusivity.

Katavi National Park is home to an abundance of wildlife, including wildebeest, giraffes, elephants, zebras, African buffaloes, lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Crocodiles and hippos are frequently spotted on the banks of the Katuma River. During the dry season, hippos relax in mud-holes and cover themselves in mud sunscreen to protect their sensitive skin. Katavi is also a refuge for wild dogs, a critically endangered species.

Getting to Katavi National Park

The most convenient way to reach Katavi is via a 4-5 hour-chartered flight from Arusha or Dar es Salaam. Depending on your itinerary, your entry point to Katavi will be through Kilimanjaro International Airport (46 km from Arusha) or the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar.

By car, Katavi is a 2–3-day drive from Dar and the road journey from Arusha takes 22 hours. We recommend that you fly to save you from a long road journey.

The only commercial flight is the bi-weekly service between Uaha, Katavi and Mahale which is operated by Safari Air Link. However, most campsites have links with airlines, and

If you book with us, we will organise your transport and accommodation for you.