Katavi National Park, Remote national park in western Tanzania
The 4,471-square-kilometer Katavi National Park contains extensive savannas, wetlands, and the Katuma River system supporting large wildlife populations throughout the year.
The Tanzanian government designated this wilderness area as a national park in 1974 to protect its rich ecosystems and abundant wildlife concentrations.
The Sukuma communities near the park boundaries maintain traditional agricultural practices while contributing to regional conservation through sustainable land management.
Visitors reach the park via chartered flights landing at Ikuu airstrip, as ground transportation requires over 20 hours of driving from major Tanzanian cities.
During dry seasons, the Katuma River hosts the highest density of hippopotamuses and crocodiles in Tanzania, with hundreds gathering in remaining water pools.
Location: Katavi Region
Location: Rukwa Region
Inception: 1974
Website: https://tanzaniaparks.go.tz/national_parks/katavi-national-park
GPS coordinates: -6.91667,31.33333
Latest update: May 11, 2025 21:15
Tanzania provides photographers with an extraordinary range of subjects, from the Serengeti plains to Zanzibar's coastline and Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa at 19,341 feet (5,895 meters). The country contains major wildlife reserves including Tarangire, where elephant herds move between baobab trees, and the Ngorongoro Crater, which holds a dense concentration of large mammals within its 100-square-mile (260-square-kilometer) caldera. Coastal regions and offshore islands like Mafia and Pemba offer opportunities to photograph coral reefs, sea turtles, and traditional dhow boats. The Mahale Mountains support habituated chimpanzee groups, while Selous Game Reserve presents riverine landscapes and diverse animal populations. Stone Town's historic quarter features Arab, Persian, and Indian architecture spanning several centuries, including the House of Wonders and the narrow alleys of the former trading port. The less visited Katavi National Park delivers scenes of hundreds of hippos crowding shrinking pools during the dry season. Kondoa rock art sites preserve prehistoric paintings dating back as far as 30,000 years. The active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai and alkaline Lake Natron with its flamingo flocks add geological interest. From the terraced hillsides of the Usambara Mountains to the wildflower meadows of Kitulo National Park, Tanzania covers nearly every photographic interest.
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