It is Tanzania's third biggest National Park featuring hippos pods of thousands, denning crocodile, super herds of buffalo and predators. Katavi lies south-east of Mahali Mountain National Park, 40 km east of Lake Tanganyika at Karema, and extends eastwardsaround the northern shoulder of the Ufipa plateau towards Lake Rukwa. The original National Park covered an area of seasonallybesieged flood-plain grassland with an associated series of small lakesand swamps, and areas of miombo woodland to the south and west.

The park has recently been doubled in size to incorporate more of the wide Kafufu river valley to the west and south west. It now adjoins Mlele Game Controlled Area, which is adjacent with Lukwati Game Reserve, which in turn meets Lake Rukwa. The north-eastern boundaryof the park runs along the Mulele Hills which rise outside the park to over 1,500 meters. The western area of the park forms the eastern boundary of the Karema Gap, a zoogeographical boundary between the Tanzania, Malawi Mountains Endemic Bird Area and the Albertine Rift mountains to the north-west.

Birding Specials Treats for Avid Birders

African golden oriole, African paradise flycatcher, African spoonbill, Bateleur, Black cuckoo-shrike, Orange-breasted bush-shrike, Crested barbet, Little bee-eater, Red-billed hornbill, Saddle-billed stork, White-backed vulture, Yellow-throated sandgrouse.

The birdlife in Katavi is good year-round, but at its best from November to April when the migratory birds from Europe and northern Africa are present. At this time, many resident bird species are nesting and are in breeding plumage. The rains usually arrive in November and last until early June. For birding specifically, November to March is the best time. The problem, however, is that many roads become hard to travel after continuous rain. As a result, most camps are closed from March to May. For wildlife viewing, the middle and end of the Dry season from June to October is considerably better.