Introduction to Katavi

By Jackson Shirima, Emmanuel Moshi, Frank Japhet and Maripet Koipa

Located in the western part of Tanzania, approximately 50km east of lake Tanganyika, in the Rukwa area, is Katavi National Park. At 4471sqkm, Katavi is the third largest National Park in Tanzania. Altitudes range from 820m to 1560m above sea level. The highest points are on the adjacent hills of the escarpments surrounding the park. Average rainfall is 932mm per year. The rainy season stretches from November to April. It was first recognised as an outstanding wildlife habitat by the Germans, and in 1927 set aside as a big game hunting reserve by the British. The indigenous people, the Pimbwe, were moved out of the area to “protect them from sleeping sickness”.

“Katavi” is a word derived from “katabi”, which is the name of a spirit who dwells in a Tamarind tree near the Katavi plains. Katabi is believed to have been a legendary hunter, who hunted and herded Hippopotamus on the Chada plains. There is another spirit, female, named “Wamweru” who dwells on the Wamweru hills near Katavi plains.











Tourist numbers in Katavi are still very low, thus making a safari a very “wild” experience and you can have a few surprises on a walk, or on drive. The nature is distinctly different in the wet and in the dry season, but equally beautifull. Fauna is a colourful mosaic ranging from closed to open woodlans, shrublands, grasslands, swamps, seasonal floodplains and riverine vegetation. A huge variety of flowers, trees and grass species can be found. The amount of butterflies, birds and other animals is known to surprise every visitor.

The Katuma river is the lifeline of Katavi, feeding lake Katavi, Katisunga floodplains and lake Chada. Katisunga floodplain with its 425sqkm boasts to harbour a vast number on mammals and Chada plain (lake Chada in the wet season) is a “Mecca” for animals, where you will see hippos in the river or grazing in the plain, crocodiles sunbathing on the sand banks and large herds of elephants and buffalos.

Katavi is a dramatic place and a living thing, where man becomes a detail. This is true wilderness, providing the few inteprid souls who make it here with a unforgettable thrilling taste of Africa.