Katavi National Park
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Katavi National Park
Katavi National Park is the biggest National park in Tanzania, covers a region of around 22,000 km².
Katavi National Park Overview
Katavi National Park is found in the western part of Tanzania, it was formerly a game reserve; the park was established in 1974. It was originally 1,823km2 in 1997 it was extended to 4,471km2. The park is located 40km south of Mpanda town, being Tanzania’s third-largest national park, after Ruaha and Serengeti.

Activities
The park is endowed with various tourism activities that visitors can do during their visit. The activities include; Nature Walking Safaris (Short Walking Safaris), Long Walking Safaris) Filming, Camping, Birding, Night Game Drive, Hiking, and Game Viewing.
Country:
Tanzania
Established:
1951
Annual Visitors:
350,000
Area:
14,750km/2778.151sq Mi
Climate
Park's climate is classified as tropical. The average temperature is 24.6 °C. In a year, the average rainfall is 1139 mm. Precipitation is the lowest in June, with an average of 0 mm. Precipitation is the lowest in June, with an average of 0 mm. With an average of 231 mm, the most precipitation falls in December. At an average temperature of 26.2 °C, October is the hottest month of the year. July has the lowest average temperature of the year. It is 22.7 °C.
Getting there
Distance Travel Time: From either Dar es Salaam via Mbeya (1513Km), Dar es Salaam via Tabora (1392km), Arusha via Tabora (1015.7km) or Mwanza via Tabora - Inyonga (741 km).
Activities
The park is endowed with various tourism activities that visitors can do during their visit. The activities include; Nature Walking Safaris (Short Walking Safaris), Long Walking Safaris) Filming, Camping, Birding, Night Game Drive, Hiking, and Game Viewing.
Long walking safari (Chorangwa Hiking Trail)
Long walking safari (Chorangwa Hiking Trail) It takes more than five hours walking, more than 10kms long.
Short walking safari (Sitalike Walking Trail)
Short walking safari (Sitalike Walking Trail) that ranges from 1-9kms Long, takes more than three hours.
Birding
Katavi offers an outstanding diversity of birdlife, it has more than 450 species of birds, ranging from turkey-sized group hornbills to the tiny sunbirds.
Hiking
Walking through trails to a waterfall It is being practiced in Katavi National Park, 17 Kms walking Trails to an elevated point where it will be easy to view Waterfalls including Chorangwa, Lukima, and Ndido waterfalls within the parks.
Night Game Drive
Night game drives the activity conducted during the night, using open vehicles and special spotlights to observe nocturnal or active animals during the night’ and their behavior. It gives an opportunity to see the range of animals which are generally unseen during the day
Mountain hiking
This is 2 night 3-day adventure using the mountain huts Miriakamba and Saddle huts. It has to be prearranged at the Momella Gate requiring porters and an armed Ranger escort. The hike traverses several vegetation zones including beautiful montane forests. Expect to see wildlife en route including buffalo, giraffes, monkeys, baboons, antelope, and lots of birds.
Walking Safari
Arusha National Park is a great place for walking and a place where one can enjoy natural forests in comfort because of the cool climate. Hiking has to be arranged at one of the 2 Gates. A fee is payable and any walk has to be accompanied by an armed ranger.
Canoeing
Canoeing is possible by prior arrangements on Small Momella Lake, with buffalo, giraffe, bushbuck, waterbuck and hippo saw. Wading and water birds are of course common.
Horseback riding
Horseback trails have been established and can be combined with overnight stays in camps within the Park (but not the horses). By prior arrangement.
Game drive
Game drives are possible on a well-maintained network of roads and tracks. It is an experience that tourists can get in a day game drive from Arusha Town.
Bird watching
The Park has more than 450 bird species including both resident and migratory birds. At Small Momella and Long lakes, both water and non-water birds can be easily sighted.