Birds of Katavi National Park
Katavi is frequently visited during the dry season however, this isn’t the most excellent time for bird watching, nonetheless the rivers support a large number of bird species associated with water including great flocks of storks such as the open-billed, yellow-billed plus the saddle-billed stork. There are also several raptors here such as the fish eagles, bateleur plus white-backed vultures which are particularly common. More than 400 bird species have been recorded yet migratory birds as well can be seen from November up to April.
Notable bird species
Commonly seen African fish eagle
Commonly seen Yellow-billed stork
Commonly seen Yellow-throated sandgrouse
Commonly seen Open-billed stork
Commonly seen Pink-backed pelican
Lilac-breasted roller Lilac-breasted roller
Among the Birding specials are:
The African golden oriole, Bateleur, Black cuckoo-shrike, Crested barbet, Little bee-eater, Paradise flycatcher, Red-billed hornbill, Saddle-billed stork, Spoonbill, Sulphur-breasted bush shrike, White-backed vulture, Yellow-throated sandgrouse
Best time for bird watching
The birdlife within Katavi is excellent throughout the year, however for the finest views its best starting in November up to April as the migratory birds come from Europe as well as Northern Africa into the park. During this time, most of the resident birds are nesting and are in breeding-plumage. In November it begins to rain all the way to the start of June. For those specifically interested in Birding, we recommend you visit from November up to March. The challenge, however, is that most of the roads are in bad condition following the continuous rains, and also the majority of camps are ass well closed from start March to finish of May. For those interested in game viewing; from the middle to the end of the dry season (which is from June to October) is the best time to visit.
All the renowned safari parks provide amazing opportunities for watching birds and also  specials may easily be seen almost everywhere you go. Arusha National Park which is usually overlooked offers a wonderful variety of habitats and prides in an overwhelming list of approximately 400 species living within its small area. Also Lake Manyara presents a great diversity of water associated bird species.
Katavi and its surrounding ecosystems
Covering an expanse of 4471 sq km Katavi National Park contributes greatly to the conservation of nature. It is the life support of the western wildlife area of Tanzania and it constitutes the Katavi-Rukwa ecosystem which covers nearly 12 500 sq km. Rukwa together with Lukwati are Game Reserves commonly used by foreign tourists for trophy hunting. However, the complex Ruaha-Rungwa protected area found to the East plus the Mahale-Ugalla to its North have identical vegetation types and are believed to be linked through wildlife corridors.
Lake Rukwa, a large superficial internal lake of changeable size, is situated south East of this sheltered area complex and it is bordering two different game reserves: Rukwa plus Lukwati. jointly with the neighboring hunting blocks plus forest reserves within this area, they make up one of the largest and most plentiful wildlife areas in the while of Tanzania.
Katavi Safari
When To Visit Katavi
Katavi Weather
How To Get To Katavi
Birding in Katavi