Day 1 – arrive and transport to Katavi NP
Arrive to Katavi Airstrip in the morning from Arusha. Your expert naturalist guide will pick you up in a Land Cruiser and drive you to Katavi Wildlife camp, with the dining area for a hot lunch. Afterwards, head out into the park for a game drive and return in time for evening sundowners around the firepit and a delicious family-style dinner.
Days 2 & 3 – Katavi NP
Each morning after breakfast, depart camp for a game drive deep into the heart of Katavi National Park. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park and return to camp in the late afternoon. After dinner, head out for an evening or night game drive. Return to camp and settle in for a good night’s sleep.
Day 4 – Katavi NP to Mahale NP
After breakfast, depart camp and drive to the Katavi Airstrip with game viewing along the way. Board your charter flight from Katavi to Mahale Airstrip, where a representative will pick you up and bring you to a dhow (traditional boat.) After a 1.5 hour ride, you will arrive at Mbali Mbali Mahale, a collection of beach tents on a stretch of secluded, golden beach. After a beach lunch featuring the local flavors of this region, depart on a chimpanzee trek or forest walk (depending on time), led by your expert guide.
Day 5 – Chimp tracking in Mahale NP
After breakfast, depart for morning chimpanzee trekking. Mahale is home to the world’s largest known population of chimpanzees, with approximately 800 individuals inhabiting the area. After a late lunch, the lodge staff can then lead you to the beach for an early evening kayak on Lake Tanganyika.
Day 6 – Lake Tanganyika
After breakfast, depart for morning chimpanzee trekking, and then return to the lodge for a hot lunch. After lunch, your guide will take you for a boat safari on Lake Tanganyika. As you enjoy viewing the large population of hippos in the lake, you will take a short river cruise and try the local methods of freshwater fishing.
Day 7 – Katumbi village visit
After breakfast, depart for morning chimpanzee trekking. After lunch, visit a neighboring fishing village, Katumbi, home of a community of mainly Tongwe people, for a Cultural Tour. End the afternoon by taking a dip in the turquoise waters of Lake Tanganyika.
Day 8 – International departure from Arusha or transfer to next destination
After an early breakfast, board your charter flight for Arusha to connect to your international flight home, or connect to the next leg of your holiday in Tanzania.
