Safari
Katavi & Mahale — 8 Days
Tanzania's wildest safari, and chimpanzees to finish.
Katavi is the emptiest big park in Tanzania — hippo crowded into shrinking rivers, enormous buffalo herds, and almost no one to see it. Paired with Mahale's chimpanzees it makes the most remote week the country offers.
Highlights
- Katavi in the dry season, when the game concentrates
- Hundreds of hippo in the drying river channels
- Chimpanzee tracking at Mahale
- Two of the least-visited parks in Africa
The itinerary, day by day
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01
Arusha to Katavi
A long charter flight west, and an afternoon game drive.
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02
Full day in Katavi
The Katuma river and the Chada floodplain.
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03
Full day in Katavi
Buffalo herds, lion, and the hippo pools as the water drops.
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04
Katavi — walking safari
On foot with an armed guide, then an evening drive.
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05
Katavi to Mahale
A short flight north to the lake, then a boat to camp.
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06
Chimpanzee tracking
Into the forest after breakfast to find the group.
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07
Chimpanzee tracking and the lake
A second attempt, then the afternoon swimming.
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08
Fly back to Arusha
Boat to the airstrip and the flight east.
What is included
- All park fees and chimpanzee permits
- Charter flights as described
- Full board accommodation
- Game drives, walking safaris and tracking
Not included
- International flights and visa
- Drinks and personal items
- Tips
- Travel insurance
Questions about this trip
When should I go?
Late in the dry season, August to October, when Katavi's rivers have shrunk and the game is packed around what water is left.