Chada Katavi

Accommodation at Chada Katavi consists of just six large Meru style safari tents, with ensuite bush bathrooms. It is a unique bush camp, with an elevated vantage point rising out of the miombo woodland, and perfectly positioned for panoramic views over the Chada plains.

The central tented mess area is hidden under a canopy of acacias, kigelias and tamarind trees which also provide popular shade and food for the abundant bird and animal species which inhabit the region. Guests can choose from game drives in open 4-wheel drive vehicles, night drives, bush walks with an armed safari guide, or flycamping under the stars. Alternatively, guests can take the opportunity to relax outside their tent with a bottle of chilled wine and soak up the total privacy and isolation.

Miles from anywhere, in Western Tanzania, Katavi National Park has an almost mythical status and is thought to have a greater density of mammals than any other Tanzanian reserve. Massed on the plains are the last great herds of buffalo in East Africa, up to 1,000 strong, and the rivers groan with hippos and crocodiles.

Chada Katavi has just six large guest tents with fine wooden furniture, woven rugs and beds spread with crisp white Egyptian cottons. The tents are large, romantic and airy and the bathrooms bush deluxe, with an outside bucket shower.

Chada Katavi is not suited to very young children and therefore only caters for those over 12 years of age. It should also be noted that only children of 12 and over can go fly-camping, or go on walking safaris.

Meal times and food can be tailored to suit children, and drives can be adapted to keep the children entertained and interested.

Game viewing is the daily activity from Chada Katavi and guided game drives are taken in 4WD vehicles a couple of times a day. Also to be enjoyed is fly camping under the stars, outstanding birding, and walking safaris. It is recommended that fly camping is booked in advance and this is at an additional cost.

Katavi is closed in mid November to late May.

The dry season, which runs from June through to end October, gets more and more intense as the temperatures rise. As the season progresses, the river - life blood to so many of its animals - starts to dry up; the pools and watering holes fill up with pods of hippo almost stacking up on top of each other to try and get into the water. The savanna grass is golden and the sunsets are dusty, the heat shimmers like a mirage over the plain.

The rains usually come mid November and go through until early June. Katavi then undergoes a complete transformation. Almost as soon as the first rains hit the ground, everything goes green; long green and lush grasses sprout from what was just dry and cracked earth. The rivers flow again, the pools overflow and there is space for all. It's a birders paradise as all the migratory birds flock back. Grass as high as an elephants eye, but there is still so much to see.