Katavi National Park

s.

Wildlife

Wildlife features include large animal herds, particularly of Cape Buffalo and elephant, plus along the Katuma river, crocodiles and hippos which upon annual dry seasons results in mudholes that can be packed with hundreds of hippos. [ [http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/megaflyover/october/popup_0410.46.html Oct 24, 2004] illustration from National Geographic Megaflyover] Some sources claim a very high biodiversity in the park, although there are also reports of wildlife decline due to illegal hunting and poaching, presumably 'bushmeat' sustenance [ [http://allafrica.com/stories/200709090124.html Sept 2007] regional news report] . In general, what is probably most noteworthy feature of Katavi versus other Tanzania Parks is that it lacks human visitors and jeeps conducting game drives.

Visitors

Visitors to the park on an annual basis is unclear, except that in comparison to better known parks, is very low. From varying website claims, the number of visitors appears to be anywhere from 300-500 visitors/year. A survey of the actual rooms sold by the available 'Safari' style accommodations might reveal the number to be slightly higher, but based on total room count and season length, an upper limit can also be estimated. In addition to a public campsite (located at SO 06'39'19.1 E0 031'08'07.9), [ [http://www.tanzaniaparks.com/accomodations.htm#katavi Campsite info] from tanzaniaparks.com ] as of 2006, there were only two camps permitted to operate at Katavi, namely the Chada [ [http://www.chada-katavi.com/ Chada Camp ] official website ] and the Foxes [ [http://www.tanzaniasafaris.info/Katavi/intro.htm Foxes of Africa] official website ] . These camps each have a visitor capacity limit of approximately one dozen.

Access to the park

Getting to Katavi for visitors will likely be arranged by the hosting camp, with one of the available charter flight services being Safari Aviation [ [http://www.safariaviation.info/home.htm Safari Aviation] official website ] . All flights will require landing on the Katavi grass airstrip which has very minimal services. [ [http://www.huntzinger.com/photo/2006/tanzania/210_refill(4722).jpgCessna Fuel Refilling] at Katavi, June 2006 (from huntzinger.com) ] . It is very approximately a two hour flight from Katavi to Daar Es Salaam via a small, bush-compatible light aircraft.

References

External links

* [http://www.katavipark.org Katavi National Park Official Website] (in english)
* [http://www.photo-hh.com/Photos-I/Pages/Southern_Tanzania.html#51 Personal Website with photos from Katavi]