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Chimps, Big Cats & Game Safari

A beautiful safari in the remote western side of Tanzania. Search for big cats; including leopard, lion and cheetah, and big game, before tracking the chimpanzees of Mahale.

Itinerary Summary

Duration
8 Days
Price
£8500
When
Year round
Destination
Tanzania
Type
Tailor-Made
Duration Price When Destination Type
8 Days £8500 Year round Tanzania Tailor-Made
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About this trip

This eight day itinerary heads straight to Katavi National Park where you will explore via game drives and walking safaris. This area is excellent for the big cats, as well as elephants, crocodiles and more, and it is so peaceful, you are almost guaranteed to see no other tourists during your stay. From here you head to the Mahale Mountains, home to one of the largest troops of habituated chimpanzees, spend a few days tracking them and some time relaxing on the beach before you fly back to Arusha for your international flight home. This is a short itinerary that can easily be combined with Tanzania's incredible beaches or other destinations in East Africa.

 

What makes this trip extraordinary?

  • Track habituated chimpanzees at Mahale National Park.
  • Stay in the luxurious Greystoke Camp, directly on the beach and backed by jungle.
  • Venture to Katavi, virtually untravelled and rich in incredible African wildlife.
  • See the abundance of wildlife via game drives and walking safaris.
  • Enjoy a luxurious dinner under the stars in the bush, surrounded by wildlife.
  • Experience a night fly-camping.

Embedded Video Overview

An 8 day itinerary searching for big cats and game in Katavi, before heading to Mahale Mountains to track chimpanzees   
from $10,934 per person sharing, excluding international flights

Mosaic Gallery

Day by day

Day by day

Day 1

Arusha - Katavi

This morning, you are met at your hotel of choice in or around the Arusha area. You are transferred the short distance to the Arusha Airstrip in order to catch your internal flight across the plains of Tanzania to the remote Katavi National Park. Upon arrival, you transfer from Ikuu Airstrip by 4x4 to the wonderful Chada Katavi Camp. This afternoon you have your first opportunity to explore this remote wilderness.

Overnight: Nomads Chada Katavi Tented Camp (L, D)

Days 2-3

Katavi National Park

Katavi is one of the few true remaining great wildernesses of Eastern Africa. Vast savannah plains stretch into the distance and you are almost guaranteed not to bump into any tourists during your stay. Lakes Chada and Katavi provide watering holes for huge herds of savannah game including hundreds if not thousands of hippo, as well as elephant, lion, leopard and crocs. This really is the adventurer's choice of safari, almost completely inaccessible by road, as you sit back and relax at camp during the evening you can finally appreciate what true nature is. Enjoy a variety of game drives and walking safaris through the savannah plains, taking in the wonderful views and abundance of game. One night, you can enjoy an exhilerating fly camping experience.

Overnight: Nomads Chada Katavi Tented Camp (B, L, D)

Day 4

Katavi - Mahale

A short morning game drive before setting off this morning, with a picnic lunch in hand, back to Ikuu Airstrip to fly to Mahale Mountains National Park at the shores of Lake Tanganyika. Upon landing at the foot of the Mahale Mountains, you have a pleasant cruise on a traditionally constructed (but very comfortable) dhow along the shores of the lake and to the private retreat of Greystoke Mahale Camp. A beautiful camp located at the foot of the Mahale Mountains with a private beach and direct access to one of the largest habituated troops of chimpanzees. Accommodation is in exotic wooden bandas overlooking the beach with adjoining bathrooms and imaginatively designed interiors.

Overnight: Greystoke Mahale (B, L, D)

Days 5-7

Chimpanzee Tracking

Your days are spent setting off into the forested foothills of the Mahale Mountains to track the famous chimpanzees. Lush tropical jungle surrounds you as you follow the frenetic pant hoots of the chimps off in the distance. It is only when you finally come across them that you realize how privileged you are to spend time with these intelligent apes in their natural habitat. Sometimes sitting in the middle of the group it is difficult not to feel part of the family. A truly amazing experience. The rest of the time is yours spent at leisure relaxing on the soft sands of the private beach or swimming in the gin clear waters. Other activities include forest walks, birding, boat trips, kayaking and fishing. A perfect end to the day with cocktails and dinner served on the dhow.

Overnight: Greystoke Mahale (B, L, D)

Day 8

Depart Mahale

After breakfast, you transfer by boat back to the Mahale Airstrip where, with packed lunch in hand, you catch your internal flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport in order to meet your international flight back home.

Mosaic Gallery

Suggested Safari Accommodation

Talk to one of our specialists for further details on our Tanzania wildlife safaris.

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