Katavi
Size:
4,471 sq km (1,727 sq miles).
Location:
Southwest Tanzania, east of Lake Tanganyika. The headquarters
at Sitalike lie 40km (25 miles) south of Mpanda town.
How to get there:
Charter flights from Dar or Arusha. A tough but spectacular day’s
drive
from Mbeya (550 km/340 miles), or in the dry season only
from Kigoma
(390 km/240 miles). It is possible to reach Mpanda
by rail from Dar via
Tabora, then to catch public transport to
Sitalike, where game drives
can be arranged. If travelling overland,
allow plenty of time to get
there and back.
To do:
Walking,
driving and camping safaris. Near Lake Katavi, visit the
tamarind tree
inhabited by the spirit of the legendary hunter
Katabi (for whom the
park is named) - offerings are still
left here by locals seeking the
spirit’s blessing.
Wildlife
Eland, Sable antelope, Roan antelope, Hippopotamus,
Crocodile, Lion, Leopard, Eelephant, Zebra, Buffalo, Topi.
Birds (more than 400 species) amongst whom:
Pelican, Waterfowl.
Best time:
The dry season (May-October). Roads within
the park are often
flooded during the rainy season but may be passable
from mid-December to February.
Accommodation:
One seasonal luxury tented camp overlooking Lake Chada.
A resthouse at Sitalike and campsites inside the park. Basic but
clean hotels at Mpanda.
Source: TANAPA.
Download here a pdf with a
more detailed description of this park.
