Skip to main content

tanzania wildest safari

8-Day Chimp Trekking and Wildlife Safari to Katavi & Mahale National Parks

In Tanzania’s Mahale Mountains National Park, spectacular peaks rise from crystal clear Lake Tanganyika. On the slopes, thick forests provide the perfect home for our closest living relatives – the chimpanzee. Here, you’ll spend your days trekking these fascinating creatures, watching their daily routines and comic antics. Miles from anywhere, far away from crowds, you’ll also enjoy the undisturbed wilderness of Katavi National Park, home to predators like lions and leopards, as well as elephants, hippos, and many other animals. Tanzania Wildest Safari is the perfect off-the-beaten-path vacation.

Contact Us

Itinerary

Start Planning Your Tanzania Safari

Day 1 – Arusha/Katavi National Park: From Arusha, fly to remote Katavi National Park in southwestern Tanzania. You’ll be met at the airstrip and driven to Chada Katavi, an exclusive luxury camp in the park with panoramic views of the Chada plains. Enjoy lunch, then an afternoon game drive or walk in this unspoiled, uncrowded reserve. In the evening, relax around camp and enjoy a gourmet dinner. Overnight at Chada Katavi.

Chada Katavi: Hidden in the trees are just 6 guest tents raised up on wooden platforms. The tents are large, romantic and airy. The deluxe ensuite bathrooms are at the side, also on platforms. Days in Katavi can be wild beyond belief, and this camp is the perfect place to return to after a day of safari adventure. Steaming hot showers await, and the thoroughly good white wine on your porch table is perfectly chilled.

Days 2, 3 & 4 – Katavi National Park: Enjoy three more days exploring pristine Katavi, home to buffalo, elephants, lions, hippos, hyena, leopards and many other animals. Spanning over one million acres, Katavi National Park is reputed to be one of the wildest places on earth. You can choose from game drives and walks. Overnights at Chada Katavi.

Day 5 – Mahale Mountains National Park: After breakfast, fly to Mahale National Park. On this scenic trip, you’ll see the lovely plains and mountains of western Tanzania. Then, near the shores of Lake Tanganyika, you’ll land at the airstrip. Enjoy a boat transfer (there are no roads here) to Greystoke Mahale, a deluxe tented camp on the shores of the lake. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon swimming or boating. Overnight at Greystoke Mahale.

Greystoke Mahale sits on a pristine, white sandy beach overlooking the turquoise water of Lake Tanganyika, with the forested slopes of the 8,000 ft. Mahale Mountains rising behind. There are just 6 wood and thatch bandas set on the edge of the forest line at the base of the mountains. Each one has an ensuite bathroom – accessible by a short boardwalk – with hot and cold running water, strong showers, flush toilets, a dressing room and an upstairs chill-out deck. Dine in the main banda on the beach and enjoy sundowners in the bar on the rocks at the end of the beach. Greystoke Mahale is an AAC favorite, making our top camps to visit before you die list.

Days 6 & 7 – Mahale Mountains National Park: Enjoy two splendid days and nights in Mahale. This pristine park is home to the largest concentration of wild chimps in Tanzania. Although wild, some groups have been habituated, giving visitors the chance to see them up close. You’ll spend your mornings tracking some of the family groups here. At times, the terrain is steep and thick with brush and trees, but your hard work will be rewarded when you see our closest living relatives. Return to camp for lunch, then choose from swimming, boating or relaxing in the afternoons. Dinner and overnight at Greystoke Mahale.

Day 8 – Mahale/Arusha: After breakfast, bid farewell to Greystoke Mahale. Transfer by boat, then fly back to Arusha.

Interested in this trip? Give us a call or drop us an email.

Quick Facts

Perfect for:

  • Perfect for Chimpanzee Trekking
  • Perfect for Big 5/Wildlife Sightings
  • Perfect for Adventure Seekers
  • Duration 8 days
  • Departures Contact us
  • Accommodations Deluxe tented camps
  • Fitness Rating Moderate
  • Activities Game drives, nature walks, chimpanzee trekking
  • Safari Type Primates
  • Style Deluxe
  • Land-Only Price* $$$

*Pricing is per person and an estimate. Contact a Journey Specialist for a customized quote.
$ = Call for Pricing | $$ = $5,000 – $9,999 | $$$ = $10,000 – $20,000 | $$$$ = >$20,000

Contact a Journey Specialist

LET OUR JOURNEY SPECIALISTS HELP CREATE YOUR TRIP OF A LIFETIME