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The Katavi National Park is Tanzania’s third largest national park and one of its most unspoiled wilderness areas. In 1997 the park was extended to about 4500 m² and, together with the contiguous Rukwa Game Reserve it encompasses a conservation area covering 12500 m². Due to its remoteness and the long journey to get there, the park receives very few visitors and you’ll probably have the place to yourself and are guaranteed to see many animals. So it offers the country’s ultimate and most rugged safari experience!
 

The park comes to life in the dry season, when the river and the enormous Katisunga flood plain dry up and huge herds of buffalos, big elephants, zebras, waterbucks, lions and many more make their way to the remaining pools and streams. The plains are broken by the Katuma River and several seasonal lakes that host some of the biggest crocodiles I’ve ever seen. But the real stars of Katavi are its hippos! Towards the end of the dry season, up to 400 individuals congregate together in any riverine pool. Male rivalry heats up during this time and bloody territorial fights are an everyday occurrence.

Roads are often flooded during the rainy season, so it's best to go there between May and October. Tsetse flies can be a nuisance and towards the end of the dry season it might become very hot! If travelling overland, allow plenty of time to get there. It’ll take you several days from Dar es Salaam via Iringa, Mbeya and Sumbawanga. But It’s worth the effort! Definitely one of my favourites!