Katavi National Park

Expert Reviews (8)

Katavi Safaris

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Ariadne van Zandbergen –

Visited: Multiple times

Ariadne is a renowned African wildlife photographer whose work is featured in many well-known guidebooks and magazines.

7 people found this review helpful.

Katavi National Park: Hippo Overload

Overall rating

5/5

Wildlife:

Bush Vibe:

Scenery:

Birding:

Katavi National Park has often been called one of Africa’s best-kept secrets. But like all secrets, they get out eventually. Several new lodges have opened here over the years and, although it’s still off the beaten track, you won’t have the place to yourself anymore as we did years ago.

The grassy floodplains support huge numbers of animals. I’ve seen buffalo herds here in the thousands. Elephants are abundant too, and there seem to be lions lurking around every corner. But what makes Katavi truly unique is the wildlife spectacle that unfolds toward the end of the Dry season when thousands of hippos are tightly bunched up in the last remaining pockets of water of the diminishing Katuma River. Bulls regularly get pushed out and big fights are common. Monstrous crocodiles share the space and can sometimes be found lying on top of the hippos. A fantastic sight, but be warned that the stench is phenomenal too.

Katavi is mostly a pricey fly-in destination, but improved access roads make driving here a viable option too.

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