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SAFARI ADVENTURES

8 Days Katavi and Mahale Mountains National Park in Tanzania

Experience an 8-day Katavi and Mahale Mountains National Park safari in Tanzania. Discover remote wilderness, chimpanzee trekking, wildlife viewing, and Lake Tanganyika adventure.

DURATION

8 days

NUMBER OF PEOPLE

PRICE

Trip Overview

This 8-day safari to Katavi National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park is a once-in-a-lifetime journey through two of Tanzania’s most remote and untouched wilderness areas. It combines classic big game safari experiences with rare chimpanzee trekking adventures along the shores of Lake Tanganyika. The adventure begins in Katavi, a vast and wild national park known for its huge buffalo herds, large elephant populations, hippos packed into shrinking water pools, and dramatic predator action across open plains. With very few visitors, Katavi offers a truly raw and exclusive safari experience. The journey then continues to Mahale Mountains National Park, one of the best places in Africa to observe wild chimpanzees in their natural rainforest habitat. Here you will hike through lush jungle, track chimpanzee families with expert guides, and enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Tanganyika. This safari is perfect for adventurous travelers, photographers, and nature lovers seeking a deep, immersive, and off-the-beaten-path Tanzania experience that combines wildlife, forest, mountains, and lake scenery in one unforgettable itinerary.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania – Fly to Katavi National Park

Your safari begins with a flight from Dar es Salaam or Arusha to Katavi. Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to your camp or lodge.

In the afternoon, enjoy your first game drive across Katavi’s vast plains. Expect sightings of elephants, buffalo, giraffes, and possibly lions and hyenas in this untouched wilderness.

Dinner and overnight at camp/lodge.

Day 2: Full-Day Game Drive in Katavi

After breakfast, spend a full day exploring Katavi National Park. The park is famous for its huge herds of buffalo and dramatic wildlife gatherings around water sources.

Enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush and continue game drives in different areas of the park. Look out for predators such as lions and leopards.

Return to camp in the evening for dinner and relaxation.

Day 3: Wildlife Exploration & Hippo Pools

Today focuses on deeper exploration of Katavi’s ecosystems. Early morning and afternoon game drives give you the best chance to see predator action.

Visit the famous hippo pools where large groups gather in dry season waterholes. Also watch crocodiles, birds, and grazing herbivores.

Dinner and overnight at camp.

Day 4: Final Safari in Katavi – Flight to Mahale

Enjoy a morning game drive for your final wildlife viewing in Katavi National Park. After lunch, transfer to the airstrip for your flight to Mahale.

Upon arrival at Mahale Mountains National Park, take a boat transfer across Lake Tanganyika to your lodge.

Dinner and overnight at lakeside lodge.

Day 5: First Chimpanzee Trekking Experience

After breakfast, begin your first chimpanzee trekking adventure in the rainforest. Guided by expert rangers, you will track chimpanzee families through dense jungle.

Spend time observing their natural behavior before returning to the lodge for lunch. Afternoon is free for swimming or relaxing by Lake Tanganyika.

Day 6: Deep Forest Chimpanzee Trekking

Today is a full chimpanzee trekking day in Mahale Mountains National Park. Explore deeper forest zones to increase chances of different chimpanzee group encounters.

Enjoy picnic or lodge lunch depending on trekking location. Return for sunset relaxation at the lodge.

Day 7: Lake Tanganyika Relaxation Day

Take a break from trekking and enjoy Lake Tanganyika. Activities include swimming, kayaking, boat rides, or beach relaxation. Optional short forest walks may be arranged. This is a peaceful day to enjoy the remote beauty of Mahale.

Dinner and overnight at lodge.

Day 8: Final Chimpanzee Trekking – Departure

After breakfast, enjoy a final chimpanzee trekking or forest walk depending on timing.

Later, transfer by boat to the airstrip and fly back to Dar es Salaam or Arusha, marking the end of your 8-day Katavi and Mahale safari adventure.

Book this 8 Days Katavi and Mahale Mountains National Park in Tanzania trip

INCLUDED

  • Return domestic flights (Dar es Salaam / Arusha – Katavi – Mahale – return)
  • Park entry fees for Katavi National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park
  • Accommodation (7 nights in lodges or tented camps)
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during safari
  • Professional English-speaking safari guide
  • 4×4 safari vehicle for Katavi game drives
  • Boat transfers on Lake Tanganyika (Mahale)
  • Chimpanzee trekking permits in Mahale
  • Bottled drinking water during game drives and trekking
  • Airport and airstrip transfers
  • Government taxes and conservation fees

NOT INCLUDED

  • International flights to and from Tanzania
  • Tanzania visa fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses (laundry, souvenirs, phone calls, etc.)
  • Alcoholic and soft drinks
  • Tips and gratuities for guides, rangers, and lodge staff
  • Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Accommodation before and after the safari in Arusha or Dar es Salaam

Why Choose This 8-Day Katavi & Mahale Safari

This 8-day safari to Katavi National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park is ideal for travelers who want a complete and immersive experience of Tanzania’s most remote and untouched wilderness areas. It combines two very different ecosystems in one journey—open savannah plains in Katavi and dense rainforest in Mahale.

In Katavi, you experience one of Africa’s wildest and least visited national parks, where huge herds of buffalo, elephants, hippos, and predators roam freely without crowds. This offers an authentic, raw safari experience far from mass tourism.

In Mahale, the adventure shifts to a unique rainforest environment where you can track and observe wild chimpanzees in their natural habitat. This is one of the best chimpanzee trekking destinations in the world, offering rare and unforgettable close encounters.

The extended 8-day duration allows for a slower pace, more game viewing, multiple trekking opportunities, and time to fully enjoy both wildlife and relaxation on Lake Tanganyika.

This safari is perfect for adventurous travelers, photographers, and nature lovers seeking exclusivity, diversity, and a deep connection with nature in Tanzania’s most remote parks.

Best Time to Visit 8 Days Katavi and Mahale Mountains National Park in Tanzania

The best time to visit Katavi National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park is during the dry season from June to October, when wildlife viewing and chimpanzee trekking conditions are at their best.

During this period, Katavi offers excellent game viewing as large herds of buffalo, elephants, and hippos gather around shrinking water sources, making wildlife easier to spot. In Mahale, the forest trails are drier and easier to navigate, and chimpanzees are more active and easier to track in lower mountain areas.

The weather is generally sunny and stable, and Lake Tanganyika is calm, making it perfect for swimming and relaxation after safari activities. This season is also the peak period for photography and wildlife encounters.

The green season from November to May offers lush landscapes, fewer tourists, and great birdwatching opportunities. However, heavy rains (especially March to May) can make travel and trekking more challenging.

Overall, June to October is the best time for this 8-day Katavi and Mahale safari, offering the best combination of accessibility, wildlife density, and comfortable travel conditions.

Contact Us Below

  • info@josmactoursarts.com
  • +255 684 772 756
  • Moshi
  • Arusha
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