3 days Katavi Safari Tanzania

Katavi Safari: A 3-day safari in Katavi National Park offers an immersive experience in the heart of Africa’s untouched wilderness. It is a place where wildlife gracefully roams, and the landscapes exude a timeless allure. For those seeking an escape from the beaten path, a Katavi safari provides a sanctuary that embodies the spirit of adventure. It stands as a testament to the raw beauty of Tanzania and serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving these wild spaces for future generations.

This 3-day Katavi Safari offers a diverse and rewarding game viewing experience, driving along rivers teeming with crocodiles, seasonal lakes, and plains inhabited by an abundance of game animals. Katavi National Park boasts an exceptional volume of wildlife, surpassing many other Tanzanian parks. Research supports that Katavi has a higher concentration of animals than the renowned Ngorongoro crater. Despite its wealth of wildlife, Katavi receives a limited number of visitors, making it an ideal destination for a honeymoon safari.

While on game drive during this 3 days katavi safari you will encounter large prides of lions, immense herds of buffalo, and gatherings of hippos and crocodiles unlike anywhere else in Africa. Other frequently spotted animals in Katavi include zebras, topis, giraffes, leopards, hyenas, and waterbucks. The rare African wild dog is also occasionally seen in the park.

While the cost of a Katavi Safari may be higher compared to northern Tanzania safari destinations, it is precisely this reason that attracts fewer travelers, resulting in an uncrowded experience unlike the popular parks in the north. Additionally, there are a limited number of accommodation options available, providing quality lodging at a reasonable price.

Katavi – The Wildlife
Katavi stands out as one of the premier locations for witnessing thrilling buffalo and lion confrontations; game drives here can be incredibly intense! The park is also renowned for its vast populations of crocodiles and hippos—at its peak, the impressive hippo pool can host up to 600 hippos, and it’s unique in Africa for its crocodiles’ hibernation in dens. The wildlife in Katavi seems to defy conventional behavior patterns! Large herds of elephants, along with substantial numbers of zebras, giraffes, topis, leopards, waterbucks, hyenas, and the occasional wild dog, elevate this park to compete with some of the best safari experiences worldwide.

Katavi – The Activities
Daytime game drives are the primary activity in Katavi, as night safaris are not allowed. Some camps provide walking safaris, while Nomad Tanzania’s Chada Camp offers remarkable short fly camping excursions, allowing visitors to sleep under the stars.

Katavi – When to Go
Similar to the Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Park, Katavi is best experienced during the dry season, with wildlife viewing becoming increasingly rewarding as the year progresses. As the water sources and rivers begin to dry, animals descend from the surrounding highlands to congregate around the dwindling waterways, greatly enhancing the viewing experience. The peak season runs from July to October, although an increasing number of travelers are exploring Katavi during the off-months for a chance to enjoy the park with fewer crowds.

Katavi – Where to Stay
Nomad Tanzania’s Chada Camp is the most renowned and our favorite choice in the park. Featuring only six classic safari tents, it encapsulates the true spirit of a remote safari experience, with guiding and overall quality meeting the high standards associated with Nomad. Also, Foxes Katavi Wildlife Camp, despite being larger and less refined than Nomad, boasts one of the best locations in the park and has improved in recent years, offering a more budget-friendly alternative to Chada.

3 day Katavi Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Mpanda

Pick up from Mpanda Airport and transfer to Katavi national park for check in at Katavi Wildlife Camp where you will stay for the entire days. After a short break and breakfast you will then departs into the bush for a game drive exploring this pristine park. Dinner and overnight at the camp.

Day 2: Game viewing in Katavi

Breakfast in the lodge then depart for a full day game drive in Katavi National Park with picnic lunch. Katavi’s dramatic settings is as diverse as it is pristine. Several ponds and lakes are home to the largest population of hippo and varied birdlife. The western part of the reserve which its vegetation is mostly woodlands and bush veld is the best place to spot large herds of buffaloes and elephants. During the dry season the seasonal lakes remain as the source of water for the animals so it attracts animals from different corners of the park to come and drink. The Katavi national park is among the few places in Tanzania where you can see the rare roan and sable antelope species. With the help of your guide you will spot several species of predators include lions, leopard, hyena and more. Late afternoon drive out of the park for dinner and overnight at Katavi wildlife Camp.

Day 3: Game viewing in Katavi

Spend the morning and afternoon viewing the games in the park along the shallow lakes. During dry season animals tends to congregates near the lakes searching for green pastures and water. You will also spot hippos, crocodiles and different species of birds during the game drive. Evening drive back to the camp for dinner and overnight.

On the following day we will offer you a transfer to Mpanda airport for your flight back to Dar es Salaam.

Katavi Safari Tanzania Cost

Price Includes:

Park entry fees and Government Taxes

Air ticket Dar es Salaam – Mpanda – Dar es Salaam

Pick up from the Airport / Bus terminal

Transport in 4×4 modified Safari vehicle with pop up roof

Salary for a driver guide

Full board accommodation at Katavi Wildlife Camp 

Price excludes

International flights & Domestic flight

Fees for passport, visas, immunizations and insurance

Tips for staff such as driver cum guides/chef/porter

Expenses of personal nature (like souvenirs)