When we first pushed into Katavi way back, no one had signed the park guestbook for a decade; camp was three bedrolls and a fire. We went feral in the freedom of being amongst such concentrations of beasts. Though we've upgraded since then, with comparative luxuries like showers and silverware - we stay faithful to how that felt, and our outpost still sits amongst the elephants, bellowing hippos and tamarind trees.
Large, airy, spacious and classic. Our six tents at Chada Katavi lie deep in the heart of Katavi National Park.
Visitors of all shapes and sizes join us in camp at Chada Katavi.
Set under large and shady Tamarind trees, the camp sits in the heart of the action.
The location of our classic expeditionary camp in Katavi hasn't changed in 20 years.
Walking the wide Chada plain
Crocodiles aestivate in deep caves dug in the river banks in Katavi National Park.
Elephants on a morning drive
An epic moment captured right in front of camp at Chada Katavi.
Katavi has a special kind of magic that means that we live alongside wildlife as we weren't even there.
Dining al fresco in Katavi National Park. With so much space, why not?
Birdwatching from the banks of the river
Giraffe along the river line.
Photo: Henrik Egede-Larsen
The big boys of the bush.
That heart-stopping feeling of being on foot with wildlife, on their turf.
At home in the wilderness.
Set out on foot in the late afternoon, pausing to watch life happening around you.
Shedding
Health & wellbeing
Beds for Meds
We hold dentist outreach clinics to the far-flung areas of western Tanzania where oral healthcare is hard to come by. Our dentist professionals visit schools outside Katavi National Park, as well as giving the Chada staff the once over. The professional team fly into Chada, use it as their base before spreading smiles across the remote areas of western Tanzania.
Life long learning & growth
Investing in education
Using Chada as our base and Nomad vehicles for transport, we facilitate specialist teacher training workshops in the village schools surrounding Katavi National Park. The training aims to equip teachers with skills and tools to better cope with the harsh teaching environments they deal with daily.
The training was conducted by an education organisation from Arusha, The Foundation for Tomorrow. We’re delighted to join the dots for them and give them access to the remote schools in western Tanzania.
Conservation & environment
Supporting conservation partners
Based in western Tanzania, the Landscape and Conservation Mentors Organisation (LCMO) supports communities around Katavi, running conservation, environment, and education projects.
We support the LCMO with intern programmes for conservation field work, fund seat on planes and beds in camp for them and we also invest in their village ambassador programmes.
Our camps bring a safari of extraordinary contrasts. Katavi is about remote, expeditionary safaris. Mahale takes you further off the map, to meet our chimpanzee cousins. Put simply, this is the pinnacle of life-changing safaris.
Many people underestimate how immersive a safari experience is. Time in the bush can be tiring – most mornings you will be up before sunrise as the wild wakes up your day continues into long evenings spent under the stars. If you’re travelling with children, we always recommend a private guide and exclusive vehicle (included as standard with Nomad) that means a lie in here and there is always possible.
There is no rule for the number of days on safari but we would recommend taking your time in each location and not rushing through safari parks. Give yourselves time to stop and immerse yourself in the area. Many travellers consider a pit stop at the beaches of Zanzibar or Mafia Island to re-charge post safari and before they head back to the real world.
Yellow Fever vaccinations are required if you are arriving from endemic countries. Other recommended vaccinations include tetanus, diptheria, polio, hepatitis A and typhoid. You will also need to consider hepatitis B and malaria prevention medicines. In all cases, you must seek advice from your medical professional.
Yes you can charge your devices whilst on safari. Most camps have connection points in the tent or room. Also, in most safari vehicle there is charging points available so you can keep all your cameras and phones topped up and never miss that wonderful sighting.
Our lodges offer a more solid retreat, while our tented camps have canvas walls that let the sounds of the bush filter through. Both can offer comfortable beds and en-suite bathrooms. The choice comes down to personal preference. If sleeping under canvas appeals, a tented camp could be for you. For a simpler experience of safari as it once was, our Charlie expeditionary camps take you into remote wilderness, away from the busier safari routes.
Pack lightweight is the first tip. Next neutral colours are great - khaki, beige and olives - however not every item needs to be khaki by any means. There is no harm in a splash of colour in the bush. Long sleeves and trousers are a necessary addition to protect you from the sun and insect or mosquitoes in the evening. You are on the move a lot so always have a pair of comfy, sturdy shoes whether that be walking boots, trainers or safari style boots. This is especially important if you are embarking on a walking safari. Bring a light, warm jacket for those early mornings and sometimes even a beanie may be required depending on the time of year. Finally, do bring a good hat - wide brimmed or just a baseball cap - needed to protect you from the African sun.
Not all travellers into Tanzania require a visa. You must have a single entry tourist visa or business visa, is the general rule but there are country exemptions from this. On the most part, single entry or business visas can be obtained on arrival but we recommend where possible, to process the visa online ahead of travel - just make sure you allow enough time to do so!
Usually it is 15kg per person in a soft-sided bag. This is not a hard and fast rule so do check with your tour operator or aviation company. These are small bush planes, and is a good way of making sure you pack light.
The driving distances on a Tanzania safari can vary depending on the area you are visiting and also your appetite for driving. Northern Tanzania allows for a full driving circuit with National Parks within reasonable distances. We love to drive when we can as we believe it allows for an exciting adventure through towns and villages and you learn so much about Tanzania and its wonderful people.