This itinerary combines Mahale Mountains’ lakeside chimpanzee trekking with Katavi National Park, genuinely one of Africa’s least-visited wildlife destinations — dense hippo and crocodile concentrations in dry-season pools, seen by a fraction of the visitors any northern circuit park receives.
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1
Your driver-guide arranges the connecting flights to Mahale, typically routed via Arusha or Dar es Salaam given the remoteness, followed by a boat transfer along Lake Tanganyika’s shore, the lodge visible only from the water since no road reaches this stretch of coast.
Fly to Mahale Mountains National Park
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeKungwe Beach Lodge
LuxuryGreystoke Mahale
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2
A guided trek into the forested mountains rising directly from the lake, tracking one of the largest known wild chimpanzee populations, habituated over decades of research.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Mahale
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3
A further trekking attempt, since Mahale’s chimps range widely and finding them again isn’t a repeat of the day before, plus free time swimming or snorkelling in Lake Tanganyika’s famously clear water — the world’s second-deepest lake, holding hundreds of endemic fish species.
Second Chimpanzee Trek, Lake Time
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4
A relaxed day at the lodge, with optional fishing or a further forest walk for travellers who want more time in the mountains rather than by the water.
Free Day at Mahale
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5
A light aircraft transfer to Katavi, one of Africa’s most remote and least-visited parks, reachable only by air given the total absence of maintained roads. Afternoon game drive on arrival.
Fly to Katavi National Park
Accommodation Options
LuxuryChada Katavi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6
Exploring Katavi’s dry-season floodplain pools, holding some of the highest hippo and crocodile density anywhere in Africa — during the driest months, hundreds of hippos can crowd into a single shrinking waterhole.
Full Day Katavi Game Drives
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7
Further game viewing across Katavi’s varied terrain, from floodplain to miombo woodland, in conditions genuinely uncrowded even by southern Tanzania standards.
Second Katavi Game Drive Day
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8
Additional game viewing plus an optional guided walking safari, genuinely rare access given how remote and uncrowded this park is.
Third Katavi Game Drive Day, Walking Safari Option
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9
A last morning and afternoon exploring Katavi, your guide taking you toward whichever part of the park has seen the most recent activity.
Final Game Drive
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10
A light aircraft transfer connecting to your onward international flight, typically routed back through Arusha or Dar es Salaam.
Fly to Arusha or Dar es Salaam, Departure
Meals: Breakfast
Permits & Costs
| Mahale chimpanzee permit | ~$100 per person |
| Katavi park entry | ~$30 per person per day |
| Light aircraft transfers | Required, quoted separately |
Who This Itinerary Suits
Serious, experienced Africa travellers seeking genuine remoteness and willing to invest in the logistics required to reach it.Tour Includes
- Professional English-speaking guide at each park
- All accommodation per itinerary
- Meals as specified
- Chimpanzee permit & boat transfers
Tour Excludes
- Light aircraft fares
- International flights
- Visas
- Tips & gratuities
- Travel insurance