About This Journey
The 7 Day Katavi and Mahale Safari 2026-2027 combines two of western Tanzania's most distinctive wilderness destinations: Katavi National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park.
Katavi offers vast floodplains, large buffalo herds, elephants, hippos, crocodiles and predators around the Katuma River, Lake Chada and Lake Katavi. Mahale provides a completely different experience with ranger guided chimpanzee trekking, tropical forest and the beautiful beaches of Lake Tanganyika. Tanzania Parks
This itinerary combines traditional 4x4 wildlife viewing with walking through chimpanzee habitat and relaxing beside Lake Tanganyika.
Both parks are remote, so air and boat transfers are normally the most practical way to combine them. Exact transfer routes and distances depend on seasonal flight schedules and the accommodation selected.
What Makes This Trip Special
Wildlife safari in Katavi National Park
Katuma River and Lake Chada game drives
Large buffalo and elephant herds
Hippo and crocodile viewing
Opportunities to see lions, leopards and hyenas
Scenic flight or transfer between Katavi and Mahale
Chimpanzee trekking in Mahale
Tropical forest walks
Lake Tanganyika beaches
Boat and lakeshore activities
Birdwatching and photography
Professional safari guides and park rangers
Meals and accommodation included
A Look at the Journey
Itinerary
Your 7 Day Katavi and Mahale Safari begins in Mpanda, where you meet your professional safari guide.
Drive toward Katavi National Park and begin your first game drive after completing park entry formalities.
Explore the woodland and floodplains while searching for buffalo, elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelopes and predators.
Katavi is accessible through the Sitalike and Ikuu areas, with Mpanda serving as one of the principal gateways to this remote western Tanzania park. Tanzania Parks
Continue to your safari camp or lodge for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast, spend a full day exploring the Katuma River and Ikuu area.
The Katuma River becomes particularly important during the dry season as wildlife concentrates around shrinking water sources.
Look for large groups of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffalo and plains animals. Lions and other predators also patrol these productive wildlife areas. Tanzania Parks
Enjoy lunch during the safari before continuing with an afternoon game drive.
Return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Leave camp after breakfast for another full day of wildlife viewing.
Explore the Lake Chada Plains, an extensive open landscape particularly associated with buffalo herds and excellent open-country game viewing.
You may also encounter elephants, zebras, giraffes, antelopes, lions and numerous birds.
Katavi's Lake Chada and Lake Katavi floodplains are among the park's major wildlife areas. Tanzania Parks
Return to your lodge or camp for your final evening in Katavi.
After breakfast, transfer from your Katavi accommodation toward the airstrip for your journey to Mahale Mountains National Park.
Because these parks are remote, the exact Katavi-to-Mahale connection depends on available scheduled or charter flight arrangements.
Upon arrival in Mahale, continue by boat where required to your lakeside lodge or tented camp. TANAPA notes that Mahale is commonly accessed by air to Mahale or through Kigoma followed by a boat transfer, and many camps coordinate their own lake transfers. Tanzania Parks
Spend the afternoon relaxing beside Lake Tanganyika before dinner.
After breakfast, meet your authorized ranger for your first chimpanzee trekking experience in Mahale.
Walk through the forest while searching for habituated chimpanzees. Trekking distance varies because the chimpanzees move naturally through the forest.
Once they are located, observe their behavior while following your ranger's instructions and current park regulations.
Mahale is internationally known for ranger guided chimpanzee trekking and protects several chimpanzee communities within its forest ecosystem. Tanzania Parks
Return to your accommodation for lunch and enjoy the afternoon beside Lake Tanganyika.
After breakfast, meet your authorized ranger for your first chimpanzee trekking experience in Mahale.
Walk through the forest while searching for habituated chimpanzees. Trekking distance varies because the chimpanzees move naturally through the forest.
Once they are located, observe their behavior while following your ranger's instructions and current park regulations.
Mahale is internationally known for ranger guided chimpanzee trekking and protects several chimpanzee communities within its forest ecosystem. Tanzania Parks
Return to your accommodation for lunch and enjoy the afternoon beside Lake Tanganyika.
Enjoy breakfast and your final morning in Mahale.
Depending on the departure schedule, there may be time for a short lakeshore walk or relaxation before your transfer.
Travel by boat to the appropriate departure point and continue to Mahale Airstrip or another confirmed connection for your onward journey.
Mahale's remote setting means transfer arrangements should be confirmed in advance with your lodge and flight operator. Tanzania Parks
Lunch is included according to your departure schedule.
Included & Excluded
Included
- Katavi National Park fees
- Mahale Mountains National Park fees
- Professional safari guide
- Professional chimpanzee trekking ranger
- 4x4 game drives in Katavi
- Chimpanzee trekking arrangements
- Accommodation during the safari
- Meals according to the itinerary
- Drinking water during activities
- Local transfers as specified
- Boat transfers in Mahale where specified
- Lake Tanganyika activities included in the itinerary
- Government taxes and applicable service charges
Excluded
- International flights
- Domestic or charter flights unless specifically included
- Tanzania visa
- Travel and medical insurance
- Alcoholic and premium drinks
- Tips for guides, rangers and camp staff
- Laundry
- Personal expenses
- Optional activities
- Additional accommodation
- Personal safari or trekking equipment
- Items not mentioned under inclusions
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The two western Tanzania parks can be combined, usually using air and boat connections because both destinations are remote.
Katavi is known for large buffalo herds, elephants, hippo and crocodile pools, open floodplains and predator activity around the Katuma River system.
Mahale is famous for wild chimpanzees, rainforest trekking and its beaches along Lake Tanganyika.
No. Chimpanzees are wild animals and move naturally through the forest.
Difficulty varies according to the location of the chimpanzees. Forest trails can be steep, humid and uneven, so reasonable fitness is recommended.
Game-drive and chimpanzee trekking distances are approximate because routes depend on wildlife locations, road conditions and chimpanzee movements.
Yes. Meals are included according to the daily itinerary.
Yes. Accommodation is included for the safari nights in Katavi and Mahale. Day 7 is the departure day unless an additional night is separately booked.
