Katavi belongs to the animals! In this untouched wilderness there are no humans for hundreds of miles and apart from one lodge and its staff, you will encounter no other people. This park is the perfect place to witness an abundance of animals in the wildest possible setting.The park's main features are watery grasslands around Lake Katavi in the north and palm-fringed Lake Chada and Katuma River with scattered woodland in the south. All of which attract considerable wildlife and birds. There is a legend here of a great hunter named Katabi and his spirit is said to reside in a tamarind tree. To seek his blessing for a successful hunt, you should place an offering at the base of the tree.

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.

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

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 and It was gazetted in 1974. It is a tough day's drive from Mbeya 340 miles (50km) away or a charter flight from Arusha or Dar es Salaam.