Chada Katavi
Classic expeditionary tented camp · Chada plain near Katisunga, deep inside the park, under tamarind trees · Nomad Tanzania
Top-end
Inside the park
Safari company
The camp that defines the Katavi ethos: six canvas tents under tamarinds on the edge of the Chada plain, no frills by design, and the wilderness doing the work. Walking and fly-camping are the signature here, and Nomad supports local conservation and school outreach around the park. Note that some older guides still say twelve tents; Nomad's own site says six.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Walking safaris and fly-camping out on the Chada plains
- Deliberately simple canvas camp, unchanged in spirit for 20+ years
- Elephant and hippo regularly wander through camp
- Deep inside the park, under tamarind trees on the Chada plain
- Fully Inclusive Plus rate: meals, select drinks and activities
Cons
- Operator's site unreachable; confirm details before booking
- Closed March to May every year
- Only six tents, so availability is tight
- Top-end price: $910 to $1,190 per person nightly
What the park charges on top
The rate above buys you a bed. Katavi National Park charges its own entry fee for every day you are inside. Here is what that adds up to.
- Park entry$30 plus 18% VAT, charged per 24 hours.
- $35.4per person, per day
- Vehicle$40 plus VAT for a foreign-registered vehicle up to 2,000 kg; most safari 4x4s sit above that and pay $150 plus VAT. A Tanzanian-registered one is about $9.
- $47.2per vehicle, per day
Three nights means three days inside, so two adults sharing one vehicle pay $354 in park fees before anyone pays for a bed.
The full fee schedule for Katavi National ParkRates at Chada Katavi
From $910 pppn. $910 in June shoulder and low season, $1,190 from 15 June to 31 October. Fully Inclusive Plus: meals, select drinks and activities.
What the rate covers is not confirmed. We do not know yet whether meals, drinks and activities are included, so read this as the bed only.
Every figure on this page is in US dollars.
Indicative 2026/27 rates per person per night sharing, gathered July 2026 from operators' own sites and published trade rate sheets. Katavi camps rarely publish prices directly, so always confirm with the lodge. Watch whether a rate includes the TANAPA fees: conservation fee plus concession fee adds about $70 per person per night incl. VAT at a lodge inside the park.
Questions about Chada Katavi
Is Chada Katavi good for families?
Chada Katavi's own site could not be reached during research, and we found no child policy or family units listed in the record either. It is a classic, simple six-tent camp built around walking safaris, which commonly carry a minimum age. Ask Nomad Tanzania directly what policy applies before booking for children.
When is Chada Katavi open?
Chada Katavi runs from around 1 June to mid-February and closes completely from March to May. The nightly rate is $910 per person in June and the shoulder months, rising to $1,190 from 15 June to 31 October. Confirm exact reopening dates each year with Nomad Tanzania.
What does the rate at Chada Katavi include?
Chada Katavi is sold on a Fully Inclusive Plus basis, covering meals, select drinks and activities such as walking safaris and fly-camping on the plains. The nightly rate runs $910 to $1,190 per person. The operator's site was unreachable during research, so confirm whether park fees or laundry are also included.
Can you self-drive to Chada Katavi?
The record for Chada Katavi lists only Ikuu airstrip, deep inside the park on the Chada plain, with no road route given. The operator's site could not be reached during research, so ask Nomad Tanzania directly whether self-drive access exists or whether the camp is fly-in only.
How many tents does Chada Katavi have?
Chada Katavi has six canvas tents for 12 guests, kept deliberately simple in the spirit of the original camp. Some older trade listings still quote twelve tents, but Nomad Tanzania's own page states six, so treat the larger figure as outdated and confirm with the operator if capacity affects your plans.