#9–10 / 2020 TF
KATAVI
NATIONAL
PARK
BIRD WORLD
Most of the Katavi Park, located
in the west of the country,
is occupied by the Katisunga
grassy plain with an area of 425
sq. km; and the Katuma river
and the floodplains of the Katavi
and Chad lakes, which are
flooded during the rainy season.
Small rivers and swamps support
a large population of crocodiles
and hippos, and the Katavi
River is home to over 400 bird
species that are watched in the
park. It is best to come to Katavi
during the dry season, especially
in September-October,
when the plain dries up and
elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras,
eland antelopes and topies
gather around the remaining
water bodies. At this time hippos
move in one large muddy
swamp — you can see a thousand
individuals there at a time!
Besides, Katavi Park is home
to perhaps the largest herd
of buffaloes in Africa.
The park is easily accessible
by air from the airport
in the nearby town of Mpanda;
in addition, there are two runways
within the borders
of Katavi.
115