Superb dry season game in remote and unspoilt location
Guide Price: From: $485 To: $650
Chada Camp in Katavi is a place to touch the heart of the wild. Located in the remote wilderness of Katavi, Chada is a small, stylish and yet traditional safari camp. For the purist, it offers one of Africa's most authentic safari experiences.
This is a camp with great character in an exceptional location on Katavi's game rich Chada flood plain. In many ways this is the definitive bush camp and a place to immerse yourself in the wild as nowhere else. Chada was originally built by Roland Purcell as a place to escape to in the middle of nowhere in the days when few tourists came this far west in Tanzania. Today it's had a substantial upgrade from its original very basic form, but critically, it retains it's spontaneous, pioneering feel.
Despite a good dose of luxury replacing the more Spartan aspects of Roland's original camp, the focus does still remain on substance; great game, great service and a really authentic bush experience. This isn't a hotel experience, but somewhere you come to experience a fantastic contrast to daily life. Katavi is somewhere you really feel a part of the wilderness. Animals are never far away and sleeping here is always entertaining and rarely quiet.
From within your tent, the noise of hippo stumbling around in the dark on the flood plain in front, brawling like paranoid drunks whenever they meet, blends with the hyenas whooping and the lion roaring. In the dry season a group of young bull elephant regularly visit the camp and work their way from Tamarind to Tamarind hoovering up all the seed pods, so it's not unusual to look out from your tent and see an elephant on your doorstep.
Like many of Tanzania's best camps, this probably doesn't suit every body, but for those who enjoy a truly authentic bush experience, with the opportunity for more activities than simply game driving, it's nirvana.
We had the most fabulous time and are still desperately missing the Bush, especially the sounds that one can't possibly explain to others. I had considered taking a little hand recorder with me but decided against the idea on the grounds of weight. I so wish I had done so.
BC Sep 08
Katavi was as far away from it all as it is possible to get, without falling off the edge. The Wilderness Camp was wonderful - real safari - and we did lots of walking which was a good change from the vehicle in Serengeti. Here the game highlights were the huge herds of animals especially elephant and buffalo, the number of hippos and again the great diversity of bird life. Service in the camp was first rate and we will never forget our evenings dining outside and then chatting (and drinking) around the fire.
H & NH August 2008
Everything went really smoothly, with Katavi being the clear high light. The guide and staff were great, as was the solitude, just the right level for us. We saw every thing to tick all the boxes, including leopard in the last 10 minutes. All your help was greatly appreciated.
DM June 2010
The original Katavi bush camp with 6 comfortable tents
From: 485 To: 650
Superb dry season game in remote and unspoilt location
Price includes accommodation, food, drinks, laundry, activities and transfers.
Katavi National Park is remote, undeveloped and, at certain times of year, bristling with big wild animals. Until just a few years ago Chada Camp was the only place to stay and it was very little visited with the only access being via one of two little planes that ground their way between here and Arusha (one flown by the then owner of Chada, Roland Purcell, and the other by Alex in pre Natural High days). Read more?
Tanzania safaris rival a safari any other country in Africa in terms of sheer wilderness, formidable landscapes and volume of wildlife. At Natural High, we have travelled all over the country, worked in some of its best Tanzania safari camps and lodges and flown all over as bush pilots so we feel qualified to venture such opinions. Read more?
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Catherine's long experience of, and enthusiasm for Africa, makes her a mine of travel information. Add to the mix her vivacious character and inscrutable attention to detail and there are few people you'd rather have plan your holiday.
At Natural High, we've had long experience putting together trips in Africa that really work. Whether it's intimate bushcamps in out of the way places, or a private lodge in one of Africa's top-billing wildlife areas, light mobile camping or remote island escapes, we know there is a lot to choose from. We're absolutely confident that we can recommend the right places for you.
