Katuma Bush Lodge

Katuma Bush Lodge — Katisunga Plains and Resident Elephant Fred

Katuma Bush Lodge is in the centre of Katavi National Park, overlooking the vast Katisunga floodplain — the heart of one of Tanzania's most remote and wildlife-dense parks. The lodge has a resident elephant named Fred, who is "never far from the big game which makes Katavi one of Tanzania's most exciting wildlife destinations." During the dry season (June-October), up to 4,000 elephants and 200 hippos can be seen around the dwindling waterholes of the Katuma River.

A TripAdvisor review from a September visit describes the highlights: guide Yasin was "energetic and very knowledgeable," an all-day safari to Paradise Valley included "breakfast on the edge of the valley, sitting a stone's throw from a hippo pond, with the who's who of grassland animals in the background" and "lunch at a watering hole where we stayed, all alone, for an hour, watching elephants, warthogs, giraffes, waterbuck drinking and getting mudded." At night, elephants, giraffes, impala and a leopard all visited the lodge. The cook Godwin produced exceptional dinners.

Twelve tented rooms are under thatch on raised wooden decks with hardwood floors, en-suite bathrooms (solar hot water), writing desks and fine linen. The main deck has a swimming pool, lounge and dining. The newly built Sable Suite offers enhanced exclusive accommodation. Katuma is described as "a great affordable option for Katavi — perfect for the well-seasoned safari goer."

Accommodation

Twelve tented rooms under thatch on raised wooden decks with en-suite bathrooms (solar heated), writing desks and fine linen. Sable Suite for exclusive experience. Main deck pool, lounge and dining. Game drives twice daily plus optional night game drive. Paradise Valley full-day safari available.