Katavi Tented Camp

Katavi Tented Camp stands alone in just under two thousand square miles of one of Tanzania's most unusual wilderness areas which is truly untouched by tourism. The Katavi National Park belongs to the wildlife and the game is abundant. On the fertile wetlands, vast herds of buffalo graze in their thousands amidst flocks of water birds and plains game. In the rivers, hippo and crocodile battle for space and elephant emerge from the woodlands by evening. This is a place for the wildlife connoisseur, as the mix of East and Southern African vegetation is home to some of the region's rarer mammals such as puku, sable and roan antelope.

THE CAMP

The camp accommodates 8 people and is set in the heart of the Katavi National Park looking across the Chada plains towards the Mulele Hills.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Accommodations consist of 4 tents in classic old bush style, furnished with two beds, blankets, sheets and mosquito nets. Each tent has its own hot bucket shower and long drop loo, while an exotic bathhouse with a view of the swamps is the setting for a unique hot dip in the heart of the wilderness. Meals are served in a mess tent or in the open air.

LIGHTING.

By paraffin lamps and candles. Video batteries can be charged in camp.

ACTIVITIES.

Game drives, bush walks with an armed ranger and the opportunity to spend a night under the stars away from camp in a lightweight fly-camp consisting of a bed and mosquito net slung under a fig tree.

TRANSFERS.

Usually by the camp's light aircraft from Tabora or Mahale or private charter. There is a small strip beside the camp suitable for Cessna 206's or similar. Another strip, 45 minutes' drive from the camp, is suitable for larger aircraft up to 10 seaters. It is a 45 minute flight from Mahale, 4 hours from Nairobi and 3 hours from Arusha.

It is also possible to get to Katavi from Mahale by taking a 20 mile boat ride in the dhow to the southern park boundary and then transferring to a landrover for a day's drive through virgin bush to the camp.

SEASONS

Mid-May to mid-October and mid-December to mid-February.