Mahale Chimpanzee & Katavi Wilderness Safari
Duration
8 Days
Destination
Tanzania
Style
Western Circuit
Best For
Wildlife & Adventure
Women-Led · Custom-Made Luxury Safaris · Exclusive African Wilderness Escapes
Overview
Tanzania's Western Circuit is the country's best-kept secret: a wild chimpanzee trek on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, paired with one of Africa's last true wilderness parks. This is the itinerary for clients who have done the Serengeti and want somewhere almost nobody else has been.
Trip Highlights
Wild chimpanzee trekking with one of the world's largest habituated communities
Lake Tanganyika kayaking and snorkelling in crystal-clear freshwater
Katavi's legendary dry-season hippo pool concentrations
Enormous buffalo herds and outstanding predator action in Katavi
Near-zero other vehicles in either park
Greystoke Mahale: Africa's most extraordinary remote beach-and-forest camp
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1Arusha or Dar es Salaam – Fly to Mahale
Fly via Arusha or Dar es Salaam to Mahale, accessible only by light aircraft and then a short boat transfer across Lake Tanganyika to camp. The approach by boat, with the Mahale Mountains rising directly from the water's edge, is one of Tanzania's great arrival experiences. Afternoon at leisure on the lake shore.
Day 2Mahale Mountains – Chimpanzee Trek
An early morning trek into the Mahale Mountains forest in search of the habituated M-group chimpanzee community, one of the world's largest. Expert Tanzanian guides with decades of knowledge of the group's territories lead the trek, which typically takes 1–4 hours to locate the family. A one-hour visit with the chimpanzees at close range follows. Afternoon kayaking or snorkelling in the extraordinarily clear water of Lake Tanganyika.
Day 3Mahale Mountains – Second Chimpanzee Trek
A second guided trek in search of the chimpanzee community, with the flexibility to follow a different group or locate the same family in a different part of their territory. Afternoon at leisure: swimming from the camp's private beach, fishing with local guides on the lake, or simply reading in a dhow timber sala over the water.
Day 4Fly to Katavi National Park
A charter flight from Mahale's lake-shore airstrip to Katavi, one of Tanzania's most remote and least-visited national parks. The flight itself covers extraordinary terrain: Lake Tanganyika's southern arm, the Rukwa Valley, and the vast Katavi floodplain. Check in and an afternoon game drive to introduce the park.
Day 5Katavi – Full Day
A full day in Katavi during the dry season (July–October) is unlike anywhere else in Africa. The park's seasonal rivers contract to a handful of pools where thousands of hippos are forced together in extraordinary concentrations. Buffalo herds of 1,000 or more move across the floodplain, and the predator activity that follows them, lion, leopard, wild dog, and hyena, is at its most intense.
Day 6Katavi – Full Day
Another day in Katavi's extraordinary wilderness. Walking safaris from Chada lead through the floodplain edges and riverine forest, where the absence of other guests and the guides' deep ecosystem knowledge creates a genuine sense of discovery. Evening: sundowner on the floodplain as the hippos begin to emerge.
Day 7Katavi – Full Day
A third full day in Katavi, with flexibility to explore different areas of the park or revisit the most productive game-viewing sites. The park's vast size and near-total absence of other visitors mean that each drive covers genuinely fresh ground. Optional specialist photography guidance from Chada's expert team.
Day 8Katavi – Fly Out to Arusha or Dar es Salaam
A final morning game drive before the charter flight back to Arusha or Dar es Salaam for your onward or international connection. End of Saringi Tours services.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- All accommodation on a Full Board basis (as specified)
- All game drives in a 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Expert English-speaking guide and driver
- All national park and reserve entry fees
- Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
- Mineral water during all game drives
- Flying Doctors emergency evacuation cover
Not Included
- International flights and any domestic or regional flights not expressly listed as included in your confirmed quote
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Tanzania visa or entry-permission fees, where required for your passport
- Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
- Alcoholic and premium beverages
- Personal items (laundry, telephone calls, souvenirs)
- Optional activities, extra excursions and upgrades not listed as included in your confirmed itinerary
- Any costs arising from flight delays or itinerary changes
- Meals outside the meal plan stated for each day of this itinerary
- Mainland Tanzania government inbound travel insurance, where required: US$44 per adult, US$22 per child aged 3–17, with ages 0–2 free. Purchase separately before travel; not included in the safari price.
Good to Know
Your route covers Mahale Mountains & Katavi National Park. The arrival arrangements on Day 1 and the final-day transfer form part of this itinerary; share your flight times with us before booking so we can check the connections.
Entry documents: check the passport, visa and entry-permission requirements for Tanzania before travel. Requirements depend on your passport and can change. We confirm the planned crossings and arrival points with your itinerary.
The proposed route includes flight transfers on Day 1, Day 4 and Day 8. Ask us to confirm the exact flight legs, fares and baggage allowance in your quote; an itinerary reference alone is not confirmation that an airfare is included.
Allow time for the road journeys shown in the daily plan. Driving times are estimates, with stops, road conditions affecting the day. Tell us about mobility needs or a preference for shorter travel days while we plan the route.
Trekking is planned on Day 2 and Day 3. Confirm the required permits before fixing your travel dates. Forest conditions and walking times vary; bring broken-in boots and rain protection, and tell us about any fitness or mobility concerns.
Your written quote will confirm the chimpanzee permits for this route, availability for your dates and whether their costs are included. Confirm these arrangements before booking flights.
Ask us to confirm the scope and validity of any operator-arranged emergency evacuation cover for this route. Keep your own comprehensive medical and travel insurance suitable for the countries and activities in your itinerary.
Last checked 9 October 2026: mainland Tanzania's mandatory inbound travel insurance began on 1 October 2026. Eligible travellers must arrange the applicable NIC policy before travel; your usual private travel insurance does not replace this entry requirement.
Your first Tanzanian arrival on this route is in mainland Tanzania. Use the official NIC portal to arrange the applicable policy before travel.
Standard insurance rates are US$44 per adult aged 18 or over, US$22 per child aged 3–17, and free for ages 0–2, subject to the insurer's eligibility rules and checkout. Insurance age bands may differ from lodge child rates. Cover is for up to 92 days, with the actual dates shown on your certificate. Keep the certificate and QR code accessible throughout the trip.
Residents of EAC and SADC member states qualify for the mainland exemption under NIC's published rules. This is residence-based, not simply a passport exemption. Confirm eligibility with NIC before departure.
The government policy is purchased separately and excluded from this safari price. Keep comprehensive personal travel insurance suitable for your activities, medical needs, cancellation risks and other countries visited. Government cover has limits and exclusions; any separately arranged evacuation service does not replace it. Rules and rates can change, so recheck the official portals before travel.
Book This Safari
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What Our Clients Say
Rated 5 stars on TripAdvisor by travellers from across the world.
An excellent trip to parts of Kenya that are not on the main tourist routes, northern Kenya. Everything went smoothly Victor and Abdi, took care of everything. The choice of accommodation provided a great range of experiences. I would recommend Saringi to anyone.
read moreGot to see lots of animals and the experience was out of this world .
read moreI had an absolutely wonderful time in Kenya, all thanks to Millcent / Saringi Travel. From the incredibly friendly and reliable communication, to the flexible and thoughtful travel planning, all the way to the outstanding care on the ground, everything was simply perfect. I always felt well taken care of and in the best hands. What impressed me most was not only their professionalism, but also the sheer beauty of the entire experience. I'm still completely in awe! Thank you Millcent and thank you Letaloi!!!
read moreI booked my birthday trip to Diani with Saringi Tours, and it was an unforgettable experience for my friends and me. From start to finish, Saringi Tours impressed us with their professionalism and warmth.
read more8 days of fun and fantastic experiences. The whole trip was amazing. Mike was an excellent driver and guide with great knowledge of the area. Highly recommend Saringi Tours.
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