Katavi vs Mahale Itinerary Explore Tanzania’s Western Gems

This 9-day Katavi vs Mahale safari Itinerary will take you to two of Tanzania’s most spectacular and lesser-known wildlife areas, guaranteeing that you will return home with stories to tell forever. Chada Katavi Camp, located in Katavi National Park in western Tanzania, is the starting point of the journey. Incredible big game viewings await you in this little-known and even less-visited jewel, which is located in a primitive wilderness that will transport you to an era when enormous herds roamed freely.

The Katavi vs Mahale adventure continues at the one-of-a-kind Greystoke Mahale Camp, situated on a golden beach adjacent to Lake Tanganyika, where up-close experiences with our closest animal relatives await after you’ve had your fill of elephants, buffalo, and big cats. As you make your Katavi vs Mahale journey into the canopy of Mahale’s forests, your guides will point out various flora and fauna, including chimpanzees, birds, and butterflies. This is a Katavi vs Mahale trip that will bring you closer to nature than you have ever been before, and it’s perfect for repeat safari goers or anyone looking for a real safari vacation.

A Detailed Katavi vs Mahale Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Arusha | 1 Nights

Arusha, Tanzania

Just outside of Tanzania’s capital city of Arusha lies the quaint and cosy Rivertree Country Inn. In the middle of verdant grounds and shaded by majestic trees, this boutique hotel provides a tranquil haven away from the madding crowds.

Each of the large, tastefully decorated rooms has a private balcony or patio with views of the gardens or the neighbouring mountains, as well as a comfortable bed and an attached bathroom. A swimming pool, a restaurant with food made from ingredients sourced locally, and a spa with a variety of treatments are just a few of the attractions offered by the inn.

Day 2 – 4: Welcome to Katavi | 3 Nights

Katavi National Park, Tanzania

Katavi National Park | Amazing Wildlife Safari at Chada Katavi Camp

Travel to the remote western Tanzanian park Katavi National Park via chartered plane. You will spend the next three nights at Chada Katavi Camp, which is reached after a brief game drive. You will be greeted with warm grins when you arrive and shown to your canvas suite. Visit the lounge tent after you’ve settled in for some high tea and a first game drive.

You will be astounded by Katavi’s extreme isolation right from the start. During the exhausting dry season, a large concentration of animals congregate on the vast, mostly vehicle-free plains that stretch out before you in seemingly unending golden views.

As you settle into a picturesque area, your guide will bring out a picnic basket with of delicious sundowner snacks and refreshing beverages. You toast the untamed beauty and isolation of Katavi as the sun sets beyond the horizon. Get back to the lodge in the wee hours of the morning to find the fireplace surrounded by a comfortable ambiance cast by lanterns and candles. Enjoy a delightful three-course dinner in the library after a refreshing shower.

Day 5 – 8: The Magical Mountains of Mahale | 4 Nights

Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania

Before you soar above the glistening Lake Tanganyika, say goodbye to Katavi. After descending to Mahale airfield, a boat will transport you to Greystoke Mahale, your four-night accommodation, in around 90 minutes.

As the camp, a sprawling thatched building reminiscent of Robinson Crusoe, rises out of the sand and is framed by mountains covered in forest, you will be transported to the role of an early explorer. As soon as you step ashore, you’ll be transported to a world where the sound of forest birdsong fills the air. The lodge and its six guest bandas are built from thatch, driftwood, and antique sailing dhows, so they blend in with the lush surroundings.

Let your toes dig into the sand as you remove your shoes, leaving your cares behind as you immerse yourself in the magic of this wonderful location. The only places to go are along jungle trails and animal tracks because there are no roads nearby. This old forest is home to nine different primate species, but the chimpanzees are the real draw. With the help of a knowledgeable guide, you can go on a trek into their territory and witness firsthand how our closest living relatives act, play, and hunt in a way that is eerily familiar.

Day 9: Homeward Bound

The enchanted days at Mahale must inevitably end, as must all wonderful things. Once you’ve had your last beach stroll, it’s time to head back to the Mahale airfield for your flight to Arusha.

Think back on the incredible voyage you’ve just had as you soar over the vast savannahs and wooded peaks of Tanzania. Everything you experienced in Africa, from the excitement of tracking a pride of lions across vast plains to the profound empathy you felt while meeting the intense stare of a chimpanzee, will stay with you forever, and maybe even inspire you to go back.

End of the 9 Days Katavi vs Mahale Itinerary

Essential Trip Information

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