10 Days | 9 Nights Western Tanzania Safari
Overview
In the safari world, the western safari parks of Katavi and Mahale are considered the “road less traveled.” Due to the region’s relative costs and inaccessibility (a four-hour flight from Arusha/Moshi or a night stopover from the south), only the wealthy and time-rich are able to visit…which is a pity because this is an incredible part of Africa that, in our opinion, deserves to be included among the continent’s all-time great trips. Furthermore, with camps like Katavi Wildlife providing excellent value for money, we would strongly advise spending a week here during peak season; we dare you not to witness at least three things you won’t see anywhere else in Africa! This is the situation.
Travel
10 Days, 3 Parks
Accommodation
7 Nights
Accommodation
7 Nights
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
START/From Arusha or Dar, by shared charter plane (two-hours), fly to Katavi National Park.
Lunch at Chada Luxury Tented Camp
Afternoon game drive and late afternoon/evening walking safari.
Dinner and overnight at Chada Luxury Tented Camp
After breakfast, Morning walking safari to explore the Katavi floodplain. Late morning break for picnic brunch.
Afternoon game drive to Katavi’s inner side.
Dinner and overnight at Fly-Camp.
After breakfast, spend another day exploring the Katavi floodplain.
Late morning break for picnic brunch.
Afternoon game drive to Katavi’s inner side.
Dinner and overnight at Chada Luxury Tented Camp
Day 4 - Depart for the Mahale Mountains
After breakfast, take shared chartered flight (one-hour) to the Mahale Mountains. Transfer in boat along Lake Tanganyika.
Lunch at Greystoke Luxury Camp
Afternoon foot-walking safari in the Mahale Mountains
Dinner and overnight at Greystoke Luxury Camp.
Spend two-full days of bird-watching and chimpanzee tracking in Mahale Mountains.
Picnic lunches in the mountain forest
Afternoon walking safaris in the mountains followed by late afternoon leisure time along the beach on Lake Tanganyika.
Dinner and overnight at Greystoke Luxury Camp
After breakfast depart for Kigoma by boat. Arrive in Kigoma Town in time for lunch.
Lunch at Kigoma Hill Top Hotel
Afternoon and late afternoon of leisure
Dinner and overnight at Kigoma Hill Top Hotel
After breakfast, depart for the Gombe Stream by boat along Lake Tanganyika. After arrival, proceed with game viewing/chimpanzee tracking and climb the Kakombe waterfalls.
Lunch at the Gombe Luxury Tented Camp
Afternoon/late afternoon of leisure.
Lunch at the Gombe Camp
After breakfast, go game viewing, bird-watching, chimpanzee tracking and climb to Jane’s peak in Gombe Stream National Park.
Return for lunch at the Gombe Camp
Afternoon/late afternoon of leisure.
Lunch at the Gombe Luxury Tented Camp
After breakfast, return by boat then 4WD to Kigoma Town.
Lunch at Kigoma Hill Top Hotel
Afternoon/late afternoon of leisure.
Transfer to the airport for 18:00 scheduled flight to Dar es Salaam. Arrive in Dar es Salaam for overnight or for your connecting flight.
Included in cost:
Accommodation Full Board (All Meals)
Transportation with Driver/Guide During Safari
Vehicle Supplement Fee for all Parks
All Park Fees
The price does not include
Costs of a Personal Nature
Tips to your Driver/Guide During Safari
Alcoholic Beverages
Enquire This Tour
General Safari Information
Our safari guides are all well experienced in the field and passionate about showing you the amazing wildlife and culture Tanzania has to offer. All are fluent in English, and if you have a special language request just let us know as many will also have an additional language (e.g. French, Spanish, German). They are also well trained in 4×4 driving so will be able to get you anywhere on the varying road qualities we have here! Please feel free to ask your guide any questions you may have about the wildlife, culture or trip along the way.
All meals will be provided by the lodges you are staying at- if you are leaving on a game drive during the day then a lunch box will be provided. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase at most lodges. We will provide mineral water in the car each day.
4×4 Safari Landcruiser with 7 seats. Our safari vehicles have been specifically modified for wildlife viewing, with a pop top roof which will be open during all game drives and sliding windows. We carry at least one pair of binoculars in each vehicle. Please note our regular vehicles do not have air conditioning or refrigerator. If you would like us to arrange one of our upgraded vehicles with these facilities please just ask us to provide a quote.
Although we do everything within our powers to ensure your maximum comfort, the roads in Tanzania can vary greatly in quality from newly tarmacced to completely rough and muddy or dusty (depending on rainy or dry season!). Driving times can be long, even to cover what may seem like relatively short distances. Although we regularly maintain our vehicles (with a check-up in the garage after every safari) they can and do sometimes pop a tyre or breakdown. Our guides are well trained with lots of experience in car mechanics and 98% of the time can fix the issue themselves- and you’ll be off spotting zebras again in less than 20 minutes! Please be patient if your car encounters a mechanical issue.
A great area of confusion and unease for many tourists, tipping is a generally expected and highly appreciated (although not compulsory) part of your safari tour. It is a great way of saying ‘thank you’ to those that have helped you to have a wonderful experience here. Tips should be given at the end of your safari when saying your goodbyes. If you are part of a group safari it is best to try to discuss with everyone beforehand how you wish to do the tipping. To help you feel at ease we have provided a general guide below but please remember that tipping is a way of you showing your gratitude for your safari staff and is up to you! The guidelines given below are for a group amount, not individually.
Guide: 20-25 USD/ day
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