Katavi: Africa's Fallen Paradise

Katavi National Park is a sanctuary for the resident lions, hippos and crocodiles, but six weeks have passed without rain. The buffalo herds that provide an abundance of prey for the lion pride, are late. Bull hippos clash in a fight over territory in a dangerously dwindling river, and in blazing heat, cold-blooded crocs must choose between protecting their eggs or staying cool enough to survive.

The natural order of life in Katavi National Park seems to have fallen apart as an extraordinary drought grips Katavi. In the face of mortal violence caused by these dire conditions, both a mother hippo and the lion pride are forced to keep moving in an attempt to protect their young. Distant storms bring not rain but fire, sparked by lightning. Hot winds whip ash into malevolent dust devils.

Katavi’s lush wetlands have been replaced by dusty plains. A rogue lion is trailing the lion pride. In these hellish conditions, the crocs succumb to a deadly virus. At last, the rains return to Katavi. Hippos and crocs rejoice in the deep water, but the rains don’t stop and Katavi is flooded. Finally, things begin to normalize, the buffalo herds return, and lion cubs witness their first hunt.