It is hard to beat a national park with an area named ‘Paradise Plain’. Although small, Katavi in southern Tanzania’s Rukwa Rift packs a punch in terms of good wildlife populations and few visitors, making Katavi Wildlife Camp a good option for those wanting to get off the beaten track.

Unfenced and set on the pristine Katisunga Plains, the camp harkens back to the golden days of safari with Meru tents, flickering lanterns and the unfiltered calls of lion, cackles of hyena and rumbling of elephant. The rustic interiors favour comfort and practicality while outside nature is allowed to hold centre stage from the viewing deck and fire pit. This is a birder’s paradise with 373 recorded species so bring the binos!