6 Days Safari To Katavi And Mahale Mountains National Park

Day 1: Transfer to Katavi National Park

Your safari begins with a flight from Dar es Salaam or Arusha to Katavi National Park via connecting airstrips. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred to your lodge or tented camp.

In the afternoon, enjoy your first game drive across Katavi’s vast wilderness. Expect to see large herds of buffalo, elephants, giraffes, and antelopes, with possible sightings of lions and hyenas. Return to camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2: Full-Day Safari in Katavi National Park

After breakfast, spend a full day exploring Katavi’s remote landscapes. The park is famous for its untouched wilderness and dramatic wildlife gatherings, especially around seasonal rivers and floodplains.

You will enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush and continue game drives in different areas of the park, searching for predators, large herbivores, and birdlife. Return to camp in the evening.

Day 3: Deep Exploration of Katavi

Today focuses on exploring less-visited sections of Katavi National Park. Early morning and afternoon game drives give you the best chance to witness predator action and large wildlife herds.

You may also visit hippo pools where hundreds of hippos gather in dry season water sources. The day offers excellent photography opportunities and an authentic wilderness experience.

Day 4: Katavi – Transfer to Mahale Mountains National Park

After breakfast, transfer by flight or boat journey to Mahale Mountains National Park along the shores of Lake Tanganyika. Upon arrival, check into your lodge and enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the beach or lakeside.

Depending on arrival time, you may take a short forest walk or simply enjoy the stunning views of the lake and mountains. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking in Mahale Mountains

After an early breakfast, head into the forest for a guided chimpanzee trekking experience. Mahale is one of the best places in Africa to observe wild chimpanzees in their natural habitat.

You will hike through lush rainforest while tracking chimp families and observing their behavior up close. In the afternoon, relax by Lake Tanganyika, swim, or enjoy optional boat activities.

Day 6: Morning Relaxation – Departure

Enjoy a relaxed morning at the lodge with views of Lake Tanganyika and the surrounding mountains. After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your flight back to Dar es Salaam or Arusha.

This marks the end of your unforgettable 6-day Katavi and Mahale safari adventure.

Why Choose This 6-Day Katavi & Mahale Safari

This 6-day safari to Katavi National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park is perfect for travelers who want a rare combination of classic big-game safari and unique primate trekking in some of Tanzania’s most remote wilderness areas.

In Katavi, you experience vast untouched savannahs with very few tourists, giving you an authentic safari atmosphere and excellent chances to see large buffalo herds, elephants, hippos, and predators like lions in dramatic natural settings. In Mahale, the experience shifts completely to lush rainforest and Lake Tanganyika, where you can trek wild chimpanzees in their natural habitat—one of the most special wildlife encounters in Africa.

This itinerary is ideal for adventurous travelers, photographers, and nature lovers who want diversity, exclusivity, and a deeper connection with nature. It combines game drives, boat or lake experiences, forest trekking, and breathtaking scenery, making it one of the most unique safari combinations in Tanzania.

SAFARI ADVENTURES