About This Journey
The 9 Day Katavi Mahale and Lake Tanganyika Safari 2026-2027 combines remote big-game viewing in Katavi National Park with chimpanzee trekking, tropical forest and beautiful Lake Tanganyika beaches in Mahale Mountains National Park.
Katavi is famous for the Katuma River, Lake Chada and Lake Katavi floodplains, where buffalo, elephants, hippos, crocodiles and predators gather around seasonal water sources. Mahale offers a completely different experience with ranger-guided chimpanzee trekking through forested mountains beside Lake Tanganyika. Tanzania Parks
This 9 day itinerary provides several days in each park, making it ideal for travelers who want wildlife, chimpanzees, remote wilderness and lake relaxation in one western Tanzania safari.
What Makes This Trip Special
Four days exploring Katavi National Park
Katuma River wildlife viewing
Lake Chada and Lake Katavi floodplains
Buffalo, elephants, hippos and crocodiles
Opportunities to see lions, leopards and hyenas
Scenic transfer from Katavi to Mahale
Two chimpanzee trekking experiences
Guided Mahale forest walks
Lake Tanganyika beaches
Boat trips, kayaking or snorkeling where arranged
Birdwatching and wildlife photography
Professional safari guides and park rangers
Meals and accommodation throughout the safari
A Look at the Journey
Itinerary
Meet your safari guide in Mpanda and travel toward Katavi National Park.
The official TANAPA park information gives the distance from Mpanda to Sitalike Gate as approximately 38 km. Tanzania Parks
After entering the park, begin your first game drive while searching for elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras and antelopes.
Continue to your lodge or tented camp for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast, spend a full day exploring the Katuma River and Ikuu area.
The Katuma River is one of Katavi's most important wildlife areas. During the dry season, shrinking pools attract buffalo, elephants, hippos, crocodiles and predators. Tanzania Parks
Enjoy lunch during the safari before continuing with an afternoon game drive.
Return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast, explore the beautiful Lake Chada Plains.
These wide floodplains are known for large buffalo herds and open-country wildlife viewing. Elephants, zebras, topi, hartebeest and predators may also be encountered. Tanzania Parks
Spend the day enjoying game viewing and photography before returning to camp for dinner.
Today you explore the Lake Katavi floodplains and surrounding wilderness.
Seasonal wetlands attract elephants, plains game and birdlife, while lions patrol the open areas and leopards favor thicker riverine vegetation. Tanzania Parks
This additional day allows time to revisit productive wildlife areas rather than rushing through the park.
Return to your accommodation for your final night in Katavi.
After breakfast, transfer toward the airstrip or departure point for your journey to Mahale Mountains National Park.
Flying is usually the most practical option when combining Katavi and Mahale within a shorter itinerary. Katavi can be accessed through Mpanda Airport or Ikuu Airstrip, while Mahale is served by seasonal or charter flights and lake transfers. Tanzania Parks
On arrival in Mahale, continue to your lakeside accommodation and enjoy your first evening beside Lake Tanganyika.
After breakfast, meet your authorized ranger and begin your first Mahale chimpanzee trekking experience.
Walk through tropical forest while searching for habituated chimpanzees. Trekking distances vary because the chimpanzees move freely through the mountains and forest.
Mahale is one of Tanzania's major chimpanzee destinations, and treks normally take place with ranger guidance. Tanzania Parks
After trekking, return for lunch and enjoy a relaxing afternoon beside Lake Tanganyika.
Return to the forest for another opportunity to observe Mahale's chimpanzees.
The additional trekking day provides more time to experience chimpanzee behavior and explore different forest areas.
Other wildlife can include red colobus, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, bushbuck and numerous forest birds. Tanzania Parks
Return to your accommodation for lunch and spend the afternoon relaxing along the lake.
After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed Lake Tanganyika adventure.
Depending on weather and your confirmed package, activities may include:
- Scenic boat trip
- Kayaking
- Snorkeling
- Swimming in designated areas
- Beach walking
- Birdwatching
- Photography
- Lakeside relaxation
TANAPA lists boat trips, kayaking, snorkeling and lakeside relaxation among Mahale's main visitor experiences. Tanzania Parks
Enjoy your final dinner beside Lake Tanganyika.
After breakfast, enjoy your final morning in Mahale.
Transfer by boat from your lodge toward the appropriate departure point and continue to Mahale Airstrip.
TANAPA information places Mahale Airstrip approximately 5 km from the park headquarters, although your total transfer distance will depend on the lodge and boat landing used. Tanzania Parks
Continue with your scheduled or charter flight and onward journey.
Included & Excluded
Included
- Katavi National Park fees
- Mahale Mountains National Park fees
- Professional safari guide
- 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
- Mahale boat transfers as specified
- Lake Tanganyika activities included in the package
- Government taxes and applicable service charges
Excluded
- International flights
- Domestic and charter flights unless specifically included
- Tanzania visa
- Travel and medical insurance
- Alcoholic and premium drinks
- Tips for guides, rangers and staff
- Laundry
- Personal expenses
- Optional activities
- Additional accommodation
- Personal trekking equipment
- Items not mentioned under inclusions
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. They can be combined using air, road and boat transfers, although flying is normally the most practical option for a shorter itinerary because both parks are remote.
Katavi is famous for remote floodplains, large buffalo and elephant herds, hippos, crocodiles and predators around seasonal water sources.
Mahale is famous for chimpanzee trekking, forested mountains and Lake Tanganyika beaches.
No. Chimpanzees are wild animals and move naturally throughout the forest.
The difficulty varies according to the chimpanzees' location. Trails can be steep, humid and uneven, so reasonable fitness is recommended.
Transfer distances such as Mpanda to Sitalike at approximately 38 km and the roughly 5 km between Mahale Airstrip and the park headquarters area are published reference distances. Game-drive and chimpanzee trekking distances vary according to wildlife movements and local conditions.
Yes. Meals are provided according to the daily itinerary.
Yes. Eight safari nights are included according to the confirmed package. Day 9 is the departure day unless an additional night is booked.
