TANZANIA
REMOTE BIG GAME : KATAVI, RUAHA & SELOUS
The Katavi, Ruaha & Selous National Parks
TANZANIA
SUMMARY
Start Arusha / End Dar es Salaam
Period: June to Mid November
Duration: 11 nights / 12 days
Reserves/Parks: Katavi, Ruaha & Selous
Level: Luxury 5 Star Camps & Lodges
4 nights Chada Katavi
3 nights Kigelia Ruaha
4 nights Sand Rivers Selous
ITINERARY IN BRIEF
Day 1: Flight Arusha to Katavi
Transfer by road to Chada Katavi
Chada Katavi for 4nts - GP shared - arrive for lunch
Overnight: 4 nights Chada Katavi
Day 5: Transfer to Airstrip
Flight Katavi to Ruaha/Msembe
Transfer by road to Kigelia Ruaha
Overnight: 3 nights Kigelia Ruaha
Day 8: Transfer to Msembe airstrip
Flight Ruaha/Msembe to Selous
Transfer by road to to Sand Rivers Selous
Overnight: 4 nights Sand Rivers Selous
Day 12: Transfer to Selous Airstrip
Flight Selous to Dar es Salaam Int Airport
Transfer on to next destination or departure home
ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
2 safari game viewing activities per person per day
Game Drives
Walking Safaris
Boats Safaris
Fishing
REMOTE BIG GAME : KATAVI, RUAHA & SELOUS
OVERVIEW
A safari to the remote Katavi National Park in Tanzania, staying at Katavi Wildlife Camp.
Katavi National Park is wild, remote and little known. The thick concentration of game, especially as the seasonal lakes disappear, will astound even hardened safari-goers.
The camp is unfenced and wildlife wander around freely.
For safety, Maasai guides take guests on short walking safaris between their rooms and other camp areas.
Safaris in Katavi offer a varied and rewarding experience. Drive along crocodile-infested rivers, through arid plam studded sand bars, and skirt seasonal lakes, seeing quantities of game reminiscent of a bygone era.
HIGHLIGHTS
Unfenced Lodge - wildlife wander around camp
Tanzania
Katavi National Park
A wilderness safari camp
6 large walk in Safari tents
Big 5 safari
Game drives in 4 x 4 vehicles
A bar, restaurant and a room with a view
Swimming Pool
This is a remote and less well known park and as such, there are less people, but there is huge concentrations of wildlife.
At a size of 4470km2, its the third largest park in Tanzania and its landscape is dominated by 3 large floodplains strung together by the Katuma River which boasts one of the largest population of Hippo and Croc. The savanna plains fill with huge herds during the day time and the equally impressive selection of predators wait patiently for their return to the woodland towards the end of the day.
Katavi Wildlife Camp is set on the edge of the Katisunga plain, nestled in the woodland that skirt this seasonal lake. Katavi Wildlife Camp blends naturally into it's environment, and enjoys one of the best views in the park.
With only 6 luxury safari tents and a max of 12 guests, this camp offers a more initmate bush experience.
REMOTE BIG GAME : KATAVI, RUAHA & SELOUS
CHADA KATAVI CAMP
Chada Katavi is stylish and wonderfully comfortable unfenced camp.
The game is everywhere in Katavi. So much so in fact, that you often don't have to leave your tent veranda to see all kinds. Elephant are frequent visitors, attracted to the same shady fruit trees as us, and vast herds of buffalo graze on the flood plain, sometimes right in front of camp.
There are six walk in safari tents, raised up on wooden platforms on the edge of the Chada Plain. They have wide-open fronts and lots of shade net windows to let in the passing breeze. The en-suite bathrooms are at the side, also on platforms, and have eco-flush toilets and an urn of cool water to refresh yourself. Safari style showers are located under the open skies and we can think of no better way to wash off the Katavi dust than under one of these.
KIGELIA RUAHA
Ruaha National Park is the largest National Park in East Africa, covering an area of about 20,200 square kilometres. The park is known for its dramatic landscapes, massive baobab trees studding the landscape and the Great Ruaha River.
Kigelia Ruaha is located in an area that is usually full of game and it's not uncommon to find elephants walking along the paths connecting the tents, or browsing on the other side of the dry riverbed.
The camp is very light and has minimal impact on the surroundings, but it is still stylishly furnished with all the comforts you could possibly need.
The six walk in safari tents have large beds and ensuite bathrooms with flush toilets and an ‘open to the sky' safari style shower. There is one family tent ideal for families with children, or for friends traveling together.
The larger “pavilion' style mess tent provides the living space for dining and relaxing, with a bar and library.
REMOTE BIG GAME : KATAVI, RUAHA & SELOUS
SAND RIVERS SELOUS
Sand Rivers Selous has just eight stone and thatched cottages, all are openfronted and raised on decks overlooking the river.
There are five Riverside rooms; each with en-suite bathrooms, hot and cold running water, flush toilets and powerful showers plus three Hillside Suites. The Suites come with a large living space and a small plunge pool.
The main mess is spacious, open-fronted and cool. There's a chill-out area near the library and then acres of dining spots - around the main pool, privately tucked away in a quiet corner of the mess or on the social "managers table".
Sit around the bar at the end of the day, the drinks are cold and there are always good stories to be told. At Sand Rivers Selous, our open-sided 4x4 vehicles are a great way of seeing birds and animals but also for covering a bit of distance when that's what's needed. And of course there are times when they give you the best views, access and photographic opportunities.
The same goes for our boats; just being on the river - never mind the game - is a fantastic contrast to time spent in a vehicle. Drifting silently downstream, gently spiraling in the current, watching the river banks unfold, is an experience that's hard to beat
PACKAGES
PACKAGE INCLUDES
Accommodation
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mineral waters
Soft Drinks
House beers
House Spirits
House Wines
Two shared game drives in an open vehicle with a guide per person per day at each lodge or camp
Boat safari
Walking Safari
Fishing
Airstrip Transfers
Tea and Coffee
Laundry
Light Air Safari connection flights between camps
Airstrip - lodge road transfers
EXCLUDES
Imported Drinks
International Flights
Regional/Domestic Flights
Visas, travel and medical insurance
All items of a personal nature
Optional activities and fees
All items not specified as included
EOE
Pricing is a guideline only and may depend on the number of guests travelling, travel dates, any special offers that may be applicable to guests travel dates, children's ages, room types and other variations. Contact us for a quote and we will see what Special Deals will be applicable for you.
TAILOR MADE, JUST FOR YOU!
We can also TAILOR MADE a package based on your specific requirements.
If this option doesnt suit your budget, interests or wishes, contact us and let us know what you are looking for and we will quote you based on your particular requirements.
BEST TIME TO GO
Katavi enjoys a 6 month dry period from June through to end October. As the park dries out the animals are concentrated into smaller areas contributing to the spectacularly large herds. From November to February the park turns green and lush, still with excellent viewing and better than ever bird populations.
HOW TO GET THERE
International Flights to Dar es Salaam or Nairobi.
Domestic safari light air flight connection
Road transfer from airport to your lodge or camp
ITINERARY
FLY FROM ARUSHA TO KATAVI NATIONAL PARK
Early morning flight from Arusha via the Serengeti (dependent on schedule) and Tabora, for refuelling, arriving in Katavi around mid-day. The safari starts at the airstrip, our guides will take you back to camp in time lunch and a siesta, before a first afternoon of discovery in Katavi.
DAYS 1 - 5 / CHADA KATAVI
Katavi has hardly changed since we arrived in this place twenty years ago. In Katavi we like to explore. We walk out across the plains appreciating the total lack of crowds and vehicles. It's not only having our feet on the ground at the same level as the big game, but the feeling that we are the only people doing so. We take bedrolls and sling them under a borassus palm in our fly-camp. We venture to Paradise Plains by 4WD and appreciate seeing nothing but wild Africa for miles. We don't want to sound too dramatic, but we can't imagine your life not being changed in even the smallest of ways after something like this. Read more about Chada Katavi.
FLY FROM KATAVI NATIONAL PARK TO RUAHA NATIONAL PARK
This morning after an early breakfast, board your scheduled flight southeast to the great Ruaha National Park. Ruaha is rich in big game and herds of over 100 elephant are seen regularly, in addition to the big cats and some more unusual antelope such as sable and roan.
After lunch in camp, head out on an exploratory drive in an open game viewing vehicle, pausing for a sundowner near an iconic Ruaha baobab tree.
DAYS 5 - 8 / KIGELIA RUAHA
In one of Africa's biggest game spots, we explore. We have custom-built open game drive vehicles which are perfect for traversing the varied habitats of Ruaha. You can also get out on foot. Being on your own two pegs gives you a totally different experience. We're great fans of "going out" for breakfast and enjoying a sundowner in the bush. These things are rare treats on a safari and something that you wouldn't do back home, which frankly is the only reason you need for doing them. Whether you're out and about in an open game drive car, treading the game trails with your guide or wondering around the camp in search of birds, this is safari as its meant to be. Read more about Kigelia Ruaha.
FLY FROM RUAHA NATIONAL PARK TO NYERERE (Selous) NATIONAL PARK
Early drive to the airstrip to catch the flight over to Nyerere in time for lunch. Settle in then take a short sundowner boat trip up river before a candelit dinner in the main dining room, or around the pool.
DAYS 8 - 11 / SAND RIVERS SELOUS
Days at Sand Rivers are about exploring. Our open-sided 4x4 vehicles are a great way of seeing things. For covering a bit of distance when that's what's needed. But, we like to retain spontaneity wherever we can. Often the best way to see things, to avoid scattering animals from the lakeshore, or spooking a herd of elephant as they feed, is to hop down and quietly work our way into a good position on foot. And the same goes for our boats. Being on the river is a fantastic contrast to time spent in a vehicle. All in all, days at Sand Rivers aren't about box ticking, or endless driving in search of the next animal. It's a sense of gradual absorption in this corner of the natural world that we'd love you to feel.
FLY FROM NYERERE NATIONAL PARK TO DAR ES SALAAM
Lazy start with breakfast around the pool and maybe a swim, before your departure to the airstrip and onward flight.
GALLERY
A TASTE OF THINGS TO COME
Add a Yacht Charter or Island Resort
YACHTS
Yacht Charters
Charter a yacht and explore the islands of the Indian Ocean
ISLANDS
Island Beach Resorts
Choose from some of the finest island and beach resorts and lodges in the Indian Ocean
