Covering an expansive 4,471 square kilometers, Katavi National Park lies about 40 kilometers from Mpanda town in southwest Tanzania, east of the famed Lake Tanganyika. Nestled within a remote arm of the Great Rift Valley, the park extends towards the shallow waters of Lake Rukwa. Unlike many of Tanzania’s more frequented parks, Katavi remains a true wilderness, unspoiled and rarely visited, offering an authentic glimpse into nature’s untouched beauty.

The park’s landscape is dominated by vast Miombo woodlands, punctuated by Acacia trees around the tranquil Lake Chada. The best spots for wildlife viewing include the Katuma River and the floodplains surrounding the seasonal Lakes Katavi and Chada.

During the rainy season, these marshy floodplains transform into lush wetlands, teeming with birdlife and supporting some of the highest concentrations of hippos and crocodiles in Tanzania. As the dry season sets in and water sources dwindle, the Katuma River becomes the lifeline for the park’s wildlife, drawing in massive numbers of animals. Around 4,000 elephants gather in the area, along with herds of over 1,000 buffalo, creating one of the most spectacular wildlife congregations in Africa.