Nomads Chada Katavi

Chada Katavi is situated in the core of Katavi National Park, in western Tanzania.

It's said to be one of the wildest places on earth. Filing the floor of the Rukwa Valley - a minor fault of the western rift - Katavi National Park spans over a million acres, and due to its remoteness is one of the least visited parks in Tanzania. Across these plains run the last great herds of buffalo in east Africa. Katavi National Park remains one of the greatest wildlife experiences of Africa. Miles from anywhere, it has an almost mythical status and, it’s thought, a greater density of mammals than any other Tanzanian reserve. Rivers groan with hippopotamus and crocodiles, and massed on the plains are the last great herds of buffalo in East Africa, up to 1000 head. Almost everywhere you look there’s something grazing, bellowing, fighting, mating, hunting. This is the place for the wildlife connoisseur, and the traveler who thinks the African bush can offer up no more surprises.

 

The accommodation

In this mega-beast land all animals need a really good place to hole up, and for a decade Man’s retreat has been Chada Katavi, hidden on a shady spitof acacias and tamarinds on the edge of the Chada plain.Hidden in the trees that flank it are just six 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.Days on the hoof in Katavi can be wild beyond belief, and Chada Katavi is the perfect place to return to after a day of safari adventure. Steaming hot showers await, and the thoroughly good white wine on your porch table is perfectly chilled.

 

Things to do

Game drives

There are few humans present in this wildlife paradise. We can drive for miles, we can follow any game anywhere we want for as long as we like, and go as far as the eye can see. Or stay absolutely still watching the procession of animals as they wander across the flood plains in front of the camp. You can spend nights out in lightweight fly camps - bedrolls unrolled under mosquito nets below borassus palms. Fabulous bush cuisine is served in your remote hide-away, and the bucket shower - with piping hot water - leaves you feeling fresh and ready for dinner under the stars.

Walking safaris

Walking safaris take you even deeper into Katavi´s untamed world. Rare roan and sable antelope, normally skittish and shy, graze openly on these plains. And on foot we experience another side of Africa, that which would often take flight at the sound of an approaching vehicle. The game is unbelievable with sightings of elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah, crocodiles and hippo amongst many others.