6 Day Mahale Chimpanzees and Katavi Safari
A luxury fly-in safari to Tanzania's wild west, pairing Katavi's huge buffalo herds and hippo pools with chimpanzee trekking in the forests of Mahale.
- Duration
- 6 days
- Route
- Arusha – Katavi National Park – Mahale Mountains National Park – Arusha
- Start / end
- Starts and ends in Arusha (Arusha Airport); transfers from your Arusha hotel or Kilimanjaro Airport can be arranged
- Best time
- The dry season from about June to October is usually best, when Katavi's wildlife gathers at the rivers and Mahale's forest trails are easier to walk.
- Trip style
- Luxury fly-in safari using scheduled or charter light aircraft, with stays in small high-end tented camps. Activities in Katavi and Mahale are guided by the camps and shared with other guests unless a private guide is booked.
Tour overview
Few places in Africa feel as untouched as western Tanzania. This luxury fly-in safari takes you by light aircraft to Katavi National Park, a vast wilderness of floodplains and palm-fringed rivers that sees only a handful of visitors each year, and then on to the Mahale Mountains, where forested peaks drop straight into the clear water of Lake Tanganyika.
In Katavi you explore with expert guides on game drives and walks, watching enormous buffalo herds, packed hippo pools, lions and crocodiles along drying rivers. In Mahale the focus shifts to the forest: three nights give you multiple chances to trek to one of the best-studied wild chimpanzee communities in the world, then relax on a white-sand lakeshore beach in the afternoons.
This trip suits experienced safari travelers, photographers and anyone looking for intimate, low-density wildlife encounters in high comfort. Flights operate on scheduled days, so departure dates are set in advance; our team in Arusha handles all the logistics so you can simply enjoy the journey.
Highlights
- Trek to wild chimpanzees in the rainforest of Mahale Mountains National Park
- Game drives and walking safaris in remote, rarely visited Katavi National Park
- Huge buffalo herds, crowded hippo pools and big crocodiles along the Katuma River
- Boat transfer along the shores of Lake Tanganyika, one of the deepest lakes on Earth
- Swimming, kayaking or dhow trips from a lakeside beach camp
- Small, exclusive luxury camps with all meals and guided activities
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Fly from Arusha to Katavi National Park
After an early transfer to Arusha Airport, board your light-aircraft flight west across the heart of Tanzania. The journey takes several hours, typically with a short stop along the way, and gives you a sweeping view of the country's vast interior. On landing at the Katavi airstrip your camp guide meets you for a short game drive to camp. Settle into your spacious tent, enjoy a late lunch overlooking the plains, and head out for an afternoon game drive as the light softens over the floodplain.
Day 2Full day exploring Katavi
Spend a full day in one of Africa's wildest parks. In the dry season the Katuma River and its pools shrink, drawing buffalo herds that can number in the hundreds, along with elephant, giraffe, zebra and the lions that follow them. Hippos crowd into the remaining mud wallows and large crocodiles shelter in riverbank caves. Depending on your interests, combine game drives with a guided walking safari for a closer look at tracks and smaller creatures. Return to camp for sundowners and dinner under a sky full of stars.
Day 3Katavi to Mahale Mountains by air and boat
Enjoy a final morning game drive before your short flight north-west to the Mahale airstrip on the shore of Lake Tanganyika. From here a boat carries you along the lakeshore for roughly 1.5 to 2 hours, passing fishing villages and forested slopes that rise steeply from the water. Arrive at your beach camp in time for lunch, then spend the afternoon relaxing on the sand, swimming in the clear water or kayaking. Your guide will brief you on chimpanzee trekking etiquette for the days ahead.
Day 4Chimpanzee trekking in Mahale
Set out in the morning with your guide and the park trackers, who keep in touch to locate the habituated chimpanzee community. Treks can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours on steep forest trails. Once you find the chimps you spend up to an hour watching them groom, feed, call and play, often at close range. Along the way look for red colobus and red-tailed monkeys, forest birds and butterflies. Return to camp for lunch and a lazy afternoon on the beach, perhaps followed by a sunset dhow cruise.
Day 5Second chimpanzee trek and Lake Tanganyika
A second day in Mahale gives you another chance to spend time with the chimpanzees, and every encounter is different. You might find the group high in a fruiting tree or moving noisily along the forest floor. If you prefer, swap the trek for a forest walk to a waterfall, fishing from the boat, or snorkeling among the lake's colorful cichlid fish. The afternoon is free to enjoy the camp, and your final evening is spent with dinner on the beach as the sun sets over the mountains of the Congo across the water.
Day 6Return to Arusha
After breakfast take the boat back along the lakeshore to the Mahale airstrip for your light-aircraft flight back to Arusha. The flight usually includes a stop en route and arrives in the afternoon. On arrival you are met and transferred to your Arusha hotel, or to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward international flight. If you are continuing to Zanzibar or another part of Tanzania, we can connect you with your next flight. This is the end of your remote western Tanzania adventure.
What is included
- Scheduled or charter light-aircraft flights Arusha – Katavi – Mahale – Arusha
- Boat transfers between Mahale airstrip and camp
- All park and conservation fees, including chimpanzee trekking permits
- 5 nights' luxury tented accommodation as listed or similar
- All meals as listed, plus soft drinks and house beverages at the camps
- Game drives and guided walks in Katavi with camp guides
- Guided chimpanzee treks with park trackers in Mahale
- Camp activities such as kayaking, snorkeling and dhow trips (weather permitting)
- Arrival and departure transfers in Arusha
- Drinking water throughout
Not included
- International flights
- Tanzania visa
- Travel insurance (compulsory)
- Tips for guides, trackers and camp staff
- Premium spirits and wines
- Personal items and laundry beyond what the camps include
- Accommodation in Arusha before or after the trip
Good to know
- Light aircraft have strict luggage limits, typically around 15 kg in a soft-sided bag including hand luggage.
- Chimpanzee trekking is usually limited to visitors aged 12 and over, and you should not trek if you have a cold or other infection.
- Flights to western Tanzania run on set days of the week, so travel dates follow the flight schedule.
- Pack long trousers, sturdy walking shoes, a rain jacket and neutral-colored clothing for the forest.
Frequently asked questions
How fit do I need to be for chimpanzee trekking in Mahale?
A reasonable level of fitness is enough, but the trails are steep and can be slippery. Treks vary from a short walk to several hours depending on where the chimpanzees are. Your guide sets a comfortable pace and you can turn back at any time.
Are chimpanzee sightings guaranteed?
Sightings can never be guaranteed with wild animals, but the Mahale community is well habituated and the trackers usually know their general location. Spending three nights in Mahale gives you several opportunities, which greatly improves your chances.
Can I combine this trip with a northern safari or Zanzibar?
Yes. Many guests add a few days in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro before, or relax on a Zanzibar beach afterwards. We can plan the connecting flights and accommodation for you.
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