Katavi National Park

The sheer number of games in Katavi National Park is staggering. In particular, the elephant and buffalo herds are huge. Lion prides are plentiful and interactions between lions and buffalo can often be seen here.

Enormous crocs and hippo pods can be found in the lakes. Whilst you can also be out for a day in parts of Selous and not meet another human soul, the same applies in Katavi ten-fold.

It is a fact that concentrations of wildlife here surpass even the Ngorongoro crater but without a lineup of cars next to a kill! The birdlife is also unsurprisingly good with plenty of storks from open-billed, saddle-billed to spoon-billed. Beautiful golden oriels and paradise flycatchers can also be found in abundance.

Katavi National Park is named after the Wabende spirit, Katabi, who according to local legend lives in a tamarind tree near Lake Katavi. Locals looking for blessings from his spirit still leave offerings at the foot of the tree.

The main activity, of course, is game viewing, which can be done on both game drives and guided walking safaris. The bonus of game drives in Katavi National Park is that you’re unlikely to come across any other humans. Walking safaris are an experience not to be missed to get up close to the African bush and experience its sights, sounds, and smells.

Fly camping is offered. This is the ultimate definition of bush camping, where normal tents (don’t expect luxury!) are set up in the bush at a temporary campsite. No fences, no flush toilets or showers. It’s living in the wild; cooking food over a fire and spending evenings chatting around the campfire, staring up at the breathtaking African night sky, and listening to the nocturnal calls of wild animals.