Safari Tour 4: The Wild Heart of Tanzania – Mahale & Katavi Adventure
(Mid-range to Luxury | 7 Days | Flying Safari)

Parks visited : Katavi NP • Mahale Mountains NP • Lake Tanganyika
Venture into Tanzania’s most remote and untouched wilderness on this exclusive 7-day flying safari. Explore two of Africa’s least-visited national parks, where vast buffalo herds roam Katavi’s floodplains and wild chimpanzees thrive in Mahale’s pristine rainforests. This is Tanzania’s ultimate off-the-beaten-path adventure.

Day 1: Fly to Katavi National Park – Africa’s Best-Kept Secret :
Your adventure begins with a chartered flight from Kilimanjaro or Arusha Airport directly to remote Katavi National Park in western Tanzania. After settling into your lodge, enjoy an evening game drive through this wildly beautiful park, home to Tanzania’s largest buffalo herds and exceptional lion populations.

Day 2: Full Day Katavi Game Drives :
Spend a complete day exploring Katavi’s diverse ecosystems, from seasonal floodplains to miombo woodlands. The park’s isolation means exceptional wildlife encounters with minimal tourist presence – spot massive buffalo herds (sometimes 1,000+ strong), large pride of lions, leopards, and thousands of hippos and crocodiles congregating in the Katuma River during dry season.

Day 3: Walking Safari & Night Game Drive in Katavi :
Experience Katavi intimately on a guided morning walking safari, tracking wildlife on foot with armed rangers and connecting with nature’s smaller details. After lunch and rest during the heat of the day, embark on an evening game drive to spot nocturnal species including hyenas, honey badgers, civets, and if fortunate, leopards hunting under starlight.

Day 4: Fly to Mahale Mountains – Chimpanzee Paradise :
Take a scenic morning flight over Lake Tanganyika to Mahale Mountains National Park, situated on the lake’s pristine eastern shore. After settling into your lakeside lodge, enjoy a relaxing afternoon boat cruise on Lake Tanganyika – the world’s longest and second-deepest freshwater lake – surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery.

Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking in Mahale’s Rainforest :
Trek into Mahale’s lush montane rainforest to track one of Africa’s largest populations of wild chimpanzees. Spend an unforgettable hour observing these remarkable primates in their natural habitat – watching them feed, play, groom, and interact. The trek difficulty varies depending on chimp location (1-4 hours hiking). Afternoon relaxation on Lake Tanganyika’s beautiful beaches.

Day 6: Second Chimpanzee Trek or Forest Exploration :
Choose your adventure today. Option 1: Trek again to observe the chimpanzees – each encounter offers unique behaviors and interactions. Option 2: Explore Mahale’s rich biodiversity with forest walks to spot red colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, and over 350 bird species. End the day with a traditional canoe ride at sunset, watching the sun descend behind Mahale’s peaks.

Day 7: Departure :
Enjoy a final peaceful morning by Lake Tanganyika before your afternoon charter flight returns you to Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport for onward connections.

• All charter flights (Arusha/Kilimanjaro to Katavi, Katavi to Mahale, Mahale to Arusha/Kilimanjaro)
• Private safari vehicle and boat transfers in the parks
• Expert safari guide and chimpanzee trekking guides
• All park fees, conservation fees, and chimpanzee trekking permits
• Mid-range to luxury lodge accommodation on the shores of Lake Tanganyika
• Full board meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) plus drinking water
• Walking safaris, boat cruises, canoe rides, and all activities mentioned

Accommodation :
Stay in remote eco-lodges and luxury tented camps situated directly on Lake Tanganyika’s beaches. These intimate properties offer stunning mountain and lake views, comfortable ensuite bandas or tents, excellent cuisine, and an authentic wilderness experience far from civilization.

Starting from : €5,850 per person (based on 2 travelers sharing, prices vary by season and accommodation level. Charter flight costs are significant but essential for accessing these remote parks)

Best time to visit : May-October (dry season) offers best chimpanzee trekking conditions and optimal wildlife viewing in Katavi. November-April (wet season) brings lush landscapes but more challenging trekking.

Important to know :

• This is a genuine wilderness adventure requiring moderate fitness for chimpanzee trekking (1-4 hours hiking on steep, sometimes muddy trails)
• These remote parks have limited tourist infrastructure – part of their incredible appeal
• Chimpanzee sightings are highly likely (95%+ success rate) but never guaranteed with wild animals
• Katavi and Mahale are only accessible by charter flight

Extensions available :
Combine this adventure with Northern Circuit classics (Serengeti, Ngorongoro), relax on Zanzibar’s beaches, or extend your Lake Tanganyika experience with additional days at Mahale.

Interested in more details about this Safari ?
Get in touch for free – this specialized safari requires careful planning, and we’ll create a detailed itinerary matching your travel dates and preferences. We respond within 48 hours.