7 Days Katavi & Mahale Safari – Remote Wildlife & Chimpanzee Encounters

Arrival & Fly to Katavi National Park

Upon arrival in Arusha, you will be met and assisted with your scheduled flight west to Katavi National Park, one of Tanzania’s most remote and least-visited wilderness areas. On arrival, your guide will welcome you and transfer you to camp, with the possibility of a game drive en route.

After settling in, enjoy lunch and time to relax before heading out on an afternoon game drive. Katavi’s vast plains and river systems are home to large herds of buffalo, elephants, and impressive predator populations. Return to camp for dinner and overnight in true wilderness surroundings.

Katavi National Park

Spend two full days exploring Katavi National Park, a true hidden gem known for its dense wildlife concentrations and minimal visitor numbers. During the dry season, the Katuma and Kapapa Rivers attract enormous pods of hippos and large numbers of crocodiles, creating dramatic wildlife scenes.

Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives, with opportunities for guided walking safaris in the cooler hours. Large herds of buffalo and elephants dominate the plains, while lions and leopards take advantage of the abundant prey. With very few visitors, Katavi offers a raw, intimate, and unforgettable safari experience.

Katavi – Mahale Mountains National Park

After breakfast, board a scheduled flight west toward Lake Tanganyika and Mahale Mountains National Park. Upon landing on the lakeshore airstrip, meet your lodge guide and transfer by boat along the crystal-clear waters of the lake.

Arrive at your lodge, set on a white sandy beach beneath forested mountain slopes. The remainder of the day is at leisure, allowing you to swim, relax, or simply enjoy the serenity of this roadless paradise, far removed from modern life.

Day 4: Queen Elizabeth – Game Drives and Kazinga Channel Cruise

Spend two full days immersed in Mahale Mountains National Park, home to some of Africa’s best chimpanzee trekking. Each day includes one guided chimpanzee trekking experience, led by expert rangers through lush forested hillsides.

Once a chimpanzee troop is located, you’ll spend a regulated hour observing their natural behavior, ensuring minimal disturbance. Afternoons are free for relaxation, dhow sailing, swimming, kayaking, or guided forest walks. Evenings are spent enjoying lakeside sunsets, exceptional meals, and the peaceful sounds of nature.

Mahale – Departure

After a final breakfast at the lodge, transfer by boat back to the airstrip for your scheduled flight onward. As you depart Mahale, enjoy final views of Lake Tanganyika and the forested mountains rising behind you.

This marks the end of your safari adventure through western Tanzania, leaving you with lasting memories of remote landscapes, abundant wildlife, and unforgettable chimpanzee encounters.

Main Destination: Lake Tanganyika Airstrip / Onward Travel