ANIMALS AND BIRDS

Great clouds of dust rise from the feet of over 3,000 buffaloes moving across the short grass plains and woodlands of Katavi. These comprise the largest herds of buffaloes on earth. You can be sure that where there are buffalo there are predators, and lions prefer buffalo meat above all else. Leopards prefer smaller prey like impala while hyenas are content with zebras.

Of the more aquatic creatures, Lake Chada in the south of the park is said to contain the largest population of hippos and crocodiles in Tanzania with hippo pods containing up to fifty individuals.

Considerable numbers of waterfowl can also be seen here including many pelicans. About 400 different species of birds have been noted in this region.

SEASONS

The dry season is the best time to visit.
Dry Season: May to October and mid-December to February are the dry months.
Rainy Season: the long rains are from March to May and which time it is inadvisable to visit.

KATAVI SPECIALITIES

• Undisturbed African wilderness
• Large numbers of crocodiles and hippos in Lake Chada
• Largest herds of buffalo on earth
• Lots of predators

FACTS
The park covers an area of approximately 2,780 miles² (2,253 km²) in the west of Tanzania.
It is Tanzania's third largest park.
It was gazetted in 1974.
It is a tough day's drive from Mbeya 340miles (50km) away or a charter flight from Arusha or Dar es Salaam..