8 Days Fly-in Safari Adventure to Mahale & Katavi National Park

Detailed Overview

Overview

Tanzania's third largest national park "Katavi N. P." is located in the remote southwest of the country and is Tanzania's least visited national park. Here you can still find pristine wilderness and a varied landscape, which is characterized by wide swamps and grassy areas, dense forest, shrubland, lakes and rivers. This is how one imagines the original Africa at the time of the explorers. Most of Katavi is covered with dense Miombo dry forest, which provides shelter for groups of elen, sable and roan antelopes. The real attraction for wildlife watchers is the Katuma River with its alluvial plains, to which the seasonal lakes Katavi and Chada belong. During the rainy season, these swampy lakes attract countless numbers water birds and they feed Tanzania's densest populations of hippos and crocodiles. During the dry season, the Katuma River becomes a trickle and there is a huge gathering of animals. Thousands of elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras and impalas are now drawn to the only remaining source of drinking water, making them easy prey for lions and herds of spotted hyenas. At the end of the dry season there is an extraordinary spectacle when over 100 hippos crowd tightly together in small river pools.

Like its northerly neighbor Gombe N. P., Mahale Mountains National Park is home to last remaining wild chimpanzees in Africa. Around 1,000 of these fascinating animals roam the isolated rainforest of Mahale, a chain of dramatic peaks draped in lush vegetation falling to Lake Tanganyika’s beaches far below. Tracking the Chimps of Mahale is a magical experience. While the Chimpanzees are the star attraction, the slopes of Mahale support a diverse forest fauna, including readily observed troops of colobus, red-tailed and blue monkeys and kaleidoscopic array of colorful forest birds. On a hike on the trail of the chimpanzees, you can trace the Tongwe people’s ancient pilgrimage to the mountain spirits, trekking through enclaves of rainforest with grassy ridges crisscrossed with alpine bamboo. Mahale Mountains National Park is not only specialized in chimpanzee tracking, but offers many other activities such as boat tours, fishing, kayaking and snorkeling. Lake Tanganyika is the second largest freshwater lake in the world in terms of volume and the second deepest lake after Lake Baikal in Siberia.

Tour Highlights

• Enjoy original wilderness and remoteness
• Exclusive safari camps with excellent guides
• Extraordinary nature experiences away from regular tourist routes
• Experience wild chimpanzees in their natural environment
• Enjoy clear Water & relax on white sandy beaches
• Do activities like Boat trips, fishing, kayaking or Snorkeling

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arusha – Katavi National Park

In the morning transfer to the airport in Arusha and flight with a light aircraft to the Katavi National Park. You will arrive at the National Park airstrip around noon, where you will be picked up in an off-road vehicle and driven to your accommodation. On the way you can already assimilate first impressions of the wonderful wild nature and with a little luck you will see the first wild animals. After lunch we have enough time to relax, before we start off with our first game drive in an open safari vehicle. – Day 2 + 3: Katavi National Park In the next days you will enjoy exciting game drives by day and night, walking safaris and bird watching if you like. In this national park everything is more leisurely, slower and much quieter than in the more popular and frequented northern national parks. The day is structured but not overloaded. You have time to enjoy your safari. In the evening, sit comfortably with a sundowner in your hand and watch the infinite vastness and uniqueness of the landscape in front of you and let the eventful day pass in review.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Possible Accommodation: National Park Bandas (basic), Katavi Wildlife Camp (mid-range), Mbalimbali Lodge (luxury)

Day 4: Katavi National Park – Mahale National Park

After a relaxed breakfast you will be driven to the airstrip and land after a 45 minutes flight over the savannah near Mahale National Park. A boat will now bring you to your accommodation in the park. You will already have lunch in the lodge's restaurant on the beach of Lake Tanganyika. All offered lodges are located directly on the beach of Lake Tanganyika. From your terrace you have a wonderful view of the lake. The national park's bandas are basic and are close to the headquarters. In the afternoon there is the first opportunity to go chimpanzee trekking. – Day 5 – 7: Mahale National Park Now every morning you have the chance to meet the chimpanzees in their natural environment. Enjoy the moments with these fascinating animals. Observe how the chimpanzees communicate with each other using different sounds, facial expressions and their posture. See how the youngsters swinging through the tree branches and the females grooming each other. Sometimes you can also see a confrontation between two males. You will return to your accommodation at noon. The afternoon you can spend with various activities or simply relax on the white sandy beach. Activities in Mahale could include a kayak or dhow trip on Lake Tanganyika, fishing or snorkelling.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Possible Accommodation: Mahale Mango Bandas (budget), Kungwe Beach Lodge or Mbalimbali Lodge (luxury)

Day 8: Mahale National Park – Arusha

After breakfast boat transfer to the airstrip and flight back to Arusha and transfer to your accommodation.

Best Travel Time

• Best travel time for Katavi National Park is the dry season from May to October or from mid-December to February. During the rainy season the roads inside the park are often flooded.
• From August to October there is an impressive spectacle when crocodiles and hippos fight to cool the mud in shrinking rivers
• For Mahale National Park best travel time lasts from End of May to September and December to February.

Inclusions

• Shared Air Charters
• Airport tax and aviation safety fee
• Airstrip Transfers
• Professional, English-speaking driver/guide
• Game drives and activities as per itinerary
• TANAPA armed ranger (where needed, e.g. on walking safaris, some boat safaris etc.)
• Park entrance fees
• Chimpanzee tracking, fishing or boat safari
• Kayaking or Snorkeling
• All accommodations and meals as mentioned in the itinerary or as agreed. N. B. accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is dependent on availability at the time of booking; alternatives of a similar class may be booked instead
• Drinking water during walking safaris/boat tour

Exclusions

• International/national flights and visa fees
• Extras, personal expenses i.e. soft- and alcoholic drinks, telephone, souvenirs, laundry etc.
• Travel, medical, injury and luggage insurance
• Flying doctor rescue services
• Government-imposed increases in taxes and/or park entrance fees
• Tips to the driver & guide
• Anything else not mentioned in the inclusions
• Optional activities not outlined on the itinerary

Optional Add-ons

• 6 days Safari possible
• The trip can also be customized. For example: from Dar es Salaam overland to Mikumi N. P. / Udzungwa Mountains N. P. via the city of Iringa to Ruaha N. P. and from there by light aircraft to Katavi N. P./Mahale N. P. and back by light aircraft to Dar es Salaam or Arusha.

Important Notes

• The minimum age to take part in the chimpanzee trekking in Mahale Mountains National Park is 12 years.
• Kids under the age of 12 are not allowed on a walking safari.
• We offer discounted prices for children.
• Usually our tours require a minimum of 2 persons to run.
• Single travellers can join a tour or ask us for a tailor-made safari.

What to Bring

• Hiking boots
• Layered clothing
• Waterproof jacket
• Warm hat and gloves
• Daypack
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Personal medication
• Reusable water bottle