Katavi National Park, located in the western region of Tanzania, was originally designated as a game reserve before being officially established as a national park in 1974. Initially covering an area of 1,823 square kilometers, the park was significantly expanded in 1997 to encompass 4,471 square kilometers. Situated approximately 40 kilometers south of Mpanda town, it ranks as Tanzania’s third-largest national park, following the renowned Ruaha and Serengeti parks. The area is historically significant as it was originally home to the Rungwa, Manda, and Kimbu peoples, who were the first custodians of this land, contributing to the area’s cultural heritage. It is a very remote park that is less frequently visited than other Tanzanian national parks. [2] The park encompasses the Katuma River and the seasonal Lake Katavi and Lake Chada