2 Days Safari Katavi National Park
2 Days Tour Overview
The far west of Tanzania gives home to two of Tanzania’s lesser known national parks: Katavi National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park. This western circuit is extremely remote, tricky to access and pretty costly to visit. As a result few people make the effort to come here and so it has remained an untouched, unique experience, and absolutely worth visiting.
Katavi National Park is a name to conjure with. It is one of the best parks in Africa and many safari operations would love to start camps here. However, the logistics and costs are so difficult, that there are only a couple of small, permanent safari camps sharing this 4,500km² of wilderness. You sometimes run across more prides of lion than other people on a game drive.
Day 1: Katavi National Park Safari
Early morning pick up from the hotel in Mpanda town for the journey to Katavi National Park with picnic lunch. Game drive in the park, till late hours when you head out to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Palahala Luxury Camp
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Game drive
After breakfast, Morning and afternoon game drive to Katavi’s inner side exploring animal congregations in the remaining pools of Katuma River. Evening we will drive you back Mpanda town to where you will be dropped off at the place of your choice.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Picnic lunch box
Group Size Price per person per day
- #1. 1 person USD 850 /person
- #2. 2- 4 person USD 730 /person
- #3. 5- 6 people USD 520 /person
- #4. 6- 10 People USD 430/person
How to get to Katavi National Park
The most convenient way to reach Katavi is via a 4-5 hour-chartered flight from Arusha or Dar es Salaam. Depending on your itinerary, your entry point to Katavi will be through Kilimanjaro International Airport (46 km from Arusha) or the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar.
By car, Katavi is a 2–3-day drive from Dar and the road journey from Arusha takes 22 hours. We recommend that you fly to save you from a long road journey.
The only commercial flight is the bi-weekly service between Uaha, Katavi and Mahale which is operated by Safari Air Link. However, most campsites have links with airlines, and
If you book with us, we will organise your transport and accommodation for you.
WhatsApp/Call: +255 759 694 668
When to go to Katavi National Park?
The best time to visit Katavi National Park is during the annual dry season from June to December. During the dry season, the Katuma River is one of the only water sources within the surrounding area, and you will have spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities around the river.
Hundreds of hippos and crocodiles gather around the scarce waterholes, and thousands of topis, impalas, and zebras pass through the plains.
Despite the increase in visitor numbers during the peak season, you will virtually have the park to yourself.
Accommodation in Katavi National Park
Chada Camp
Operated by Nomad Tanzania, Chada Camp is located 50 km east of Lake Tanganyika. Chada Camp offers six safari tents which are surrounded by trees and offer sweeping views of the surrounding plains. The tents are dispersed to maximise your privacy, and the camping experience is suitable for children 12+.
Each tent has a comfortable bed, a writing desk, and gauze windows which allow natural light to shine through. The accommodation is decorated with homely natural fabrics and palm matting. Each tent has an en-suite bathroom with a flush toilet.
Outside your tent, you will find a bucket shower. You can cool off after a day of activities whilst enjoying the scenic views, and you may even see a herd of elephants. There is a large communal tent where guests can relax, read, or watch the elephants, giraffes, and buffaloes wander past. Breakfast and lunch are served in the dining tent.
Guests can choose between dining indoors and al fresco dining under the stars. Before dinner, guests gather at the campfire for snacks and drinks. Chada Camp offers safari activities, including 4WD game drives, picnics surrounded by the animals, bird watching, and guided walking safaris.
Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge
Operated by Nomad Tanzania, Chada Camp is located 50 km east of Lake Tanganyika. Chada Camp offers six safari tents which are surrounded by trees and offer sweeping views of the surrounding plains. The tents are dispersed to maximise your privacy, and the camping experience is suitable for children 12+.
Each tent has a comfortable bed, a writing desk, and gauze windows which allow natural light to shine through. The accommodation is decorated with homely natural fabrics and palm matting. Each tent has an en-suite bathroom with a flush toilet.
Outside your tent, you will find a bucket shower. You can cool off after a day of activities whilst enjoying the scenic views, and you may even see a herd of elephants. There is a large communal tent where guests can relax, read, or watch the elephants, giraffes, and buffaloes wander past. Breakfast and lunch are served in the dining tent.
Guests can choose between dining indoors and al fresco dining under the stars. Before dinner, guests gather at the campfire for snacks and drinks. Chada Camp offers safari activities, including 4WD game drives, picnics surrounded by the animals, bird watching, and guided walking safaris.
