The Saanane national park is one of the national parks found in east Africa, particularly Tanzania. It was established as the first animal garden in the country by the government. Its establishment came as a result of the sole need to conserve the environment and natural resources as well as providing education to the society about conserving natural resources and environments as well. So, it was established purposely for the multiple need as explained above.

Establishment;

The Saanane national park was established as an animal garden in 1964 but later on, in 2013 it was declared a national park. The declaration by the government as the national park was a result of the agreement among the national assembly of the United Republic of Tanzania in December 2012 that sat down and agreed to expand the area from being a center for natural resources and conserving the environment to become the national park. Its establishment as an animal garden made it the first garden in the country to be reserved only for animals. It was then, recognized as the forest game reserve in 1991.

The source of the name Saanane;

The Saanane national park was named after the founder of the national park which was initially recognized as an animal garden called, Saanane Chawandi. Between 1964 and 1966 various wild animals were moved to Saanane island. Some of the animals were mbogo, elephant, pofu, zebra, crocodiles, swala pala, nungunungu, ngiri and twiga. Dangerous animals like hippos were also moved in groups and were isolated from other animals.

Size and location;

The Saanane national park has a size of 2.18 square kilometers and it is located about 2 kilometers southwest far from the center of the Mwanza region.

Some of the activities done on the island are like climbing rocks, watching animals, watching various species of birds on the island, walking trips, and canoeing by using native boats through agencies of tourism. These and some more other activities make the area so attractive and enjoyable when someone visits it.

Attractions of Saanane Island

The appearance of the Saanane island;

Saanane island provides a good visual impression whereby more domestic and foreign visitors are attracted to visit the place. This is also influenced by its location where it is not so far from the Mwanza town council. It is almost a walk on foot to the place. No charges are incurred by visitors. So, it is very simple for both domestic and foreign visitors to visit the national park.

Katsunga plain is a dominant feature situated in the heart of Katavi national park stretching over an area of 425 square kilometers comprising of a vast grassy expanse and bush tracts attracting roan and sable antelopes. Katavi national park is also dominated by tracts of bush, wooded savannah, Miombo woodlands and flood plains which habit the animals of the park, in dry season the flood plains are crowded by a huge population of animals which come to drink water and they are best sight to view these animals. Katavi national park comprises of Lake Katavi a seasonal lake covering an area between the range of 100 – 150 kilometers which totally depends on the volume of water in the lake.

Katavi national park is a home to some of the remaining herds of buffaloes on the continent of Africa, the park is also a home to other species of animals such as giraffes, topis, elands, zebras, waterbucks, hartebeests, impalas, topis, duikers, elephants, leopards, lions, hyenas, wild dogs and many more. Animals in Katavi national park inhabit mostly on the banks of Katavi, Katuma and Chada rivers, escarpments of Mlele and Lyamba lya Mfipa in the north and western part of the park. There are also crocodiles in the park and these are found at the riverbed of Katuma River, Ndido falls, Kapapa River and caves near Ikuu Bridge.

Katavi national park is a recognized important birding area in Tanzania hosting more than 420 bird species, these birds include water birds harboring on river banks, raptors and migratory bird species present in the park from November to April. Birds in Katavi national park include herons, plovers, spoonbills, yellow billed and saddle-billed stork, fish eagle, bateleur eagle, white-backed vulture, African spoonbills, little bee-eaters, red billed hornbills, crested barbets, yellow-throated sand grouses, orange breasted bush-shrikes and many more.

History of Katavi National park                                        

Katavi national park was first declared as a protected area in 1911 by the German colonialists in Tanzania, when the German’s rule was overthrown by the British colonialists the park was renamed to Rukwa Game Reserve in 1932. In 1974 the area of the reserve was 1,832 square kilometers and in 1997 the area was extended to 4,471 square kilometers, in 1998 the reserve’s name was changed to Katavi national park  and it was officially opened as a national park.

Katavi national park’s name is derived from a local slag “Katabi” a name from Wabende spirit, according to local legends kitabi was a legendary hunter and tamarind trees dotted around the landscape of Katavi national park are believed to inhabit by the spirit of Katabi. Local people visit and offer offerings at the foot of the Tamarind trees in honor of Katabi spirit.

Tourist activities in Katavi national park

Game viewing

Katavi national park is a home to a big number of wildlife with a variety of species which are seen during a game viewing, animals such as roan antelopes, eland, sable antelopes, zebras, impalas, buffaloes, giraffes, lions, spotted hyenas, reedbucks and many more are sight. Best sites to view these animals are the flood plains, marshy lakes during rainy season, on the banks of Katavi, Chada lakes and Katuma River. Game viewing is offered according to the time and session that are day game drive and guided night game drive, day game drive is done from 06:30 am to 06:30 pm and night game drives are done in the dark hours of the night offering views of predators like lions, elephants, spotted hyenas and many more. The best time to do game viewing in Katavi national park is in the dry season from the month of June – October.

Bird watching

Katavi national park is a prominent bird watching destination in Tanzania offering sights of over 450 bird species, while on bird watching experience expect to enjoy sights of birds like yellow billed and saddle-billed stork, fish eagle, bateleur eagle, white-backed vulture, African spoonbills, little bee-eaters, red billed hornbills, crested barbets, yellow-throated sand grouses, orange breasted bush-shrikes and many more. Bird watching in Katavi national park is excellent throughout the year but the most rewarding experience is got in the period of November to April when migratory birds are present in the park.

Walking/hiking experience

Walking/ hiking experience in Katavi national park is a very thrilling experience enabling tourists to visit almost every part of the park, this experience takes place along the route leading to Katavi seasonal lake beginning at the park’s headquarters. Walking/hiking experience is offered as short and long walking/hiking experience done on different trails, short walking/hiking experience is done of the Sitalike walking trail of 1-9 kilometer long and it takes about 3 hours to completion. Long walking/hiking experience is done Chorangwa hiking trail of 17 kilometers and it takes about more than 5 hours to completion.

Camping

Camping in Katavi national park is an adventurous activity offering the real African wilderness experience, the park consists of various campsites where visitors get to enjoy a camping experience. These campsites are categorized as special campsites, public campsite and flying camping. A public campsite consists of facilities such as toilets, bathroom, kitchen, dining and water. Special campsites maximizes do much on privacy and fly camping is a very prominent model of special camping with top notch privacy and it is more adventurous.

Where to stay while on a safari in Katavi national park

While on a safari in Katavi national park there is plenty of accommodation establishments to choose from ranging from luxury, midrange and budget. Luxury accommodation establishments include         Katavi wildlife camp and Nomad Tented camp, Midrange accommodation establishments include Mbali Mbali Katavi lodge, Chada Katavi camp, Palahala luxury camp and budget accommodation establishments include Ikuu public campsites, HQ public campsites, Katavi picnic site, Chada special campsite, Kapilula campsite, Kapilula 1 campsite and Kapimbye special campsite.

How to get to Katavi national park

Katavi national park is accessed using three transport modes that are air, road and railway. By air domestic chartered flights are offered from Dar-es salaam, Mwanza and Arusha. These domestic flights are offered by several air companies such as Zantas air, Safari air link landing at Ikuu airstrip and Sitalike located inside Katavi national park and Mpanda airport located on Mpanda town. By road, Katavi national park is accessed from various landmarks in Tanzania. From Dar-es-Salaam it is a drive of 1513 kilometers via Mbeya and 1392 kilometers from Tabora, from Arusha it is a drive of 1015.7 kilometers via Tabora and from Mwanza it is a drive of 741 kilometers via Tabora-Inyonga. By Railway, a train is used from Dar es Salaam via Tabora, from Tabora you take a public vehicle or a motorcycle to Sitalike.

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