Mpanda is home to the famous Katavi National Park located in the southern highlands of the region. ‘Katavi’ is derived from the name of a legendary hunter, ‘Katabi’, whose spirit was believed to possess a tamarind tree used for traditional rituals. Driving across lush green marshlands, populated by hippos, flocks of water fowl and elephants on abundant foliage; gives a real picture of Katavi National Park the ‘Eden’ of the southern highlands of Tanzania. Not forgetting ‘Katuma river and seasonal lake ‘Chada’.