8-Day Chimp Tracking and Wildlife Safari to Katavi & Mahale
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 tracking 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. The exclusivity make our Tanzania Wildest Safari the perfect off-the-beaten-path holiday.
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 Camp, an exclusive luxury camp in the park with panoramic views of the Chada plain. 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 here.
Chada Katavi: Hidden in the trees that flank it are just six guest tents, raised up on wooden platforms. The tents are large, romantic and airy. The deluxe en-suite bathrooms are at the side, also on platforms. Days on the hoof 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 Camp.
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 Camp, a deluxe tented camp on the shores of the lake. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon swimming or boating. Overnight here.
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 six wood and thatch bandas set on the edge of the forest line at the base of the mountains. Each one has an en-suite bathroom – accessible by a short boardwalk – with hot and cold running water, strong showers and flush toilets and a dressing room and upstairs chill-out deck. Dine in the main mess banda on the beach and enjoy sundowners in the bar on the rocks at the end of the beach.
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 Camp.
Day 8 – Mahale/Arusha: After breakfast, bid farewell to Greystoke Camp. Transfer by boat, then fly back to Arusha.
Interested in this trip? Give us a call or drop us an email.
Departures
Departs Thursdays between June to November 15
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
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