6 Large Canvas Safari Tents
In this mega-beast land creatures need a really good place to hole up, and Chada Katavi has been man's retreat for a decade, hidden on a shady spit of acacias and tamarinds on the edge of the wide Chada plain. From a distance the camp is invisible against the browns and golds of the surrounding bush. Chada Katavi is a stylish, classy and comfortable camp idyllically placed under large shady acacia and tamarind trees on the edge of the twenty-mile wide Chada flood plain, it accommodates twelve people in large walk in tents. Chada Katavi has evolved into a rather civilized campaign HQ. Come dinnertime, the mess is nothing short of splendid, silverware gleaming and glasses shining. Hidden in the trees that flank it are six guest tents, with crisp white Egyptian cottons on the bed, and thick rugs on the floor. The tents are large romantic and airy, the bathrooms bush-deluxe. The thoroughly good white wine sitting on your porch table is perfectly chilled. The small crew, most of who have been here since the camp first arrived, are meticulous with service and food is of a high standard. The local knowledge of the guides here is unrivalled.
Katavi National Park, Tanzania
June - October; December - March
The best months for travelling to Tanzania are June through the end of October and then December through the end of March. July, August and September, are the busiest times along with the Christmas holidays as this is when school holidays fall. If you prefer to travel when the game is still superb but when it is not so busy then the following months are recommend, June, September, October, November, February, March, April & May.
Nature Walks, Fly Camping & Game Drives
Walking safaris take you even deeper into Katavi´s untamed world. Rare roan and sable antelope, normally skittish and shy, graze openly on these plains. On foot you experience another side of Africa, that which takes flight at the sound of approaching vehicles. The game is unbelievable with sightings of elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah, crocodiles and hippo amongst many others. And at the end of a day of adventure and discovery, return to the creature comforts and welcoming fireside of camp.
Owners & Hosts
Squack Evans's character combines his family's bush background with professional safari credentials. The grandson of the rancher and bush hand Jasper Evans, his family has pioneered camel safaris and conservancy in Kenya for generations. After working as a guide in Zimbabwe, Squack worked for Wilderness Safaris in Hwange and Victoria Falls. Upon returning to Kenya, he ran the Sabuk game ranch in northern Kenya where he led camel and wilderness safaris. Before joining Nomad Tanzania, he furthered his knowledge of wildlife management at the Khalamazi game ranch in Zambia. Squack brings his extensive and diverse bush experiences to the wilds of Katavi.
Mara Thompson was born in Kenya, and spent her early years there before moving to the UK to complete her education. A love of cooking led her to train as a gourmet chef, which then took her to France and a stint of catering at various ski resorts. She has traveled widely throughout South America (helping to build an orphanage and trekking the Inca Trail), India, Nepal, Australia (working on dive boats as a hostess) and New Zealand. Returning to the UK she spent 5 years working as an Events Organizer for the McLaren Formula 1 team, concentrating mainly on the Monaco Grand Prix. Her love of Africa has brought her back to the continent and we welcome her as she joins Squack for the new season at Chada Katavi.
