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Little has changed at Chada Katavi since the Nomad Tanzania founders arrived 20 years ago. From the air you have to look carefully to spot it, you'll find your eyes are immediately drawn to such wide open spaces. That's the promise of Katavi, total absorption into the natural world.
Chada Katavi is much the same camp that it was when it began - designed to be a stylishly simple bushcamp, small and intimate with just six East African safari tents. Each of them is spacious and comfortable with wide-open fronts giving you panoramic views of the plain and animal life that constantly comes and goes. In fact, you often don't have to leave your tent veranda to see game of all kinds. Elephant are frequent visitors, attracted to the same shady fruit trees as our guests, and vast herds of buffalo graze on the flood plain in front of camp.
Katavi is known for unbelievable game, with vast herds of buffalo roaming the plains; also elephant, lion, leopard, crocodiles and hippo. Chada Katavi offers game drives in open 4WD vehicles, night drives, fly camping under the stars, outstanding birding and viewing of big mammals, daily walking safaris.
Large, airy en-suite tents with a big verandah, twin or double beds with fresh linen and a pioneering style. There's a place to hang clothes, a bureau, chairs on the verandah on which to sit and enjoy the sounds and sights of the bush. Bathrooms are en-suite, and open to the canopy. Safari-style bucket showers lend a sense of adventure and help us keep our environmental footprint small in this area of scarce water. There's also an eco-flush toilet which is both convenient and uses 90% less water than a conventional toilet.
The tents are scattered among a grove of tall tamarind trees, which in turn attract monkeys, elephants and other wildlife. It's not uncommon to watch a herd of impala wonder by while you're enjoying a cup of tea on your verandah, or have an elephant walk past while you have a siesta.
Venture out for a night under the starry sky. Flycamping is a way of shedding amenities without being uncomfortable, and getting as close to nature as possible. The camp is set up by a small team, while you enjoy a guided bushwalk, arriving in time for sunset and a cold gin and tonic by the fire.
Tents are made of heavy duty netting, encasing a deep bedroll, made up with fresh sheets, cosy blankets and soft pillows, so quite comfy.
There's a safari style bucket shower and a short-drop toilet which is located a modest distance away. The camp is lit by paraffin lamps and there are torches and a scout who keeps any curious creatures at a distance.
You'll eat well. A three course dinner and good breakfast is standard (unless you're planning to walk back to camp in time for breakfast).
One night is the norm, and it's essential to pre-book if your interested in fly camping.
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Bar, Communal Dining, Eco Friendly, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Library, Private Vehicle Available
Room Facilities
En-Suite, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Outside Shower, Verandah
Set out to explore Katavi with Nomad Tanzania's expert guides. Game drives typically run in the early morning from dawn until late morning, and in the afternoon from 3:30pm to sunset. Full day game drives are also available but preferably as part of a privately guided safari as most activities are on a shared basis. Private guide and vehicle available if pre-booked and there is a supplement to be paid. Night drives are also possible from Chada Katavi and must be pre-booked.
There's walking and then there's real walking; bush walking in a good pair of boots where you want to keep going on and on. Katavi makes you feel like this, it might be something to do with the endless plains around you and vast open skies. Not to mention what you might see whilst you're out there.
With your guide, and an armed scout, along for the ride, you could find yourself watching elephants from up close marveling at how, despite their size, they can move so quietly; or be meandering along the river line seeing all the different birds around the pools, and crocs and hippos who are a big feature of Katavi life. Animals who would often take flight at the sound of a vehicle, won't even know you're there and that's what makes walking out here such an incredible experience.
Walk out from camp to your flycamp where you will spend a night out under the stars. You'll sleep in a mosquito netted tent, small but with enough room for a bedroll kitted out with soft mattress, sheets and a feather pillow. Nomad don't scrimp on the dining either; you'll sit down to a three-course candlelit meal and a glass of chilled wine. But, these are only the peripheral things, the backdrop to the main event. The whole point about flycamping is being out there at night, lying on your back looking up at the night sky through the roof of your netted tent; listening to the animal sounds, so different from those you hear during the day. Under the careful guard of your guide and armed ranger you can drift off to the bush lullaby and just take it all in.
Without sounding too dramatic, it is hard to imagine your life not being changed in even the smallest of ways after something like this.
