7 Days Katavi & Mahale Safari
This 7-day safari is designed to immerse you in two of Tanzania’s most secluded and exceptional wilderness destinations: Katavi National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park. Your journey begins in Katavi, a rarely visited park renowned for its expansive savannahs, impressive herds of buffalo, and dense populations of hippos and crocodiles along the Katuma River. Afterwards, you continue to Mahale a pristine rainforest bordering Lake Tanganyika and home to one of Africa’s largest wild chimpanzee communities. The itinerary includes scheduled flights from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar to Katavi and Mahale, boat transfers across the lake, and a blend of game drives, chimpanzee trekking, and lake-based activities. Accommodation is provided in select lodges or tented camps, offering an ideal combination of comfort and authentic wilderness experience.
Day 1: Arrival in Katavi
Arrive via scheduled flight from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar to Katavi National Park. Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your camp or lodge. Settle in, enjoy lunch, and embark on an introductory afternoon game drive through Katavi’s vast plains. Return to your accommodations for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Game Drives in Katavi
Dedicate your day to game drives within Katavi, exploring the Katuma River and seasonal floodplains. The area is known for elephants, giraffes, zebras, and notably large buffalo herds, with lions and hyenas often in pursuit. Lunch and relaxation at camp will be followed by another evening drive. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 3: More Wildlife Encounters in Katavi
Begin your day with breakfast, followed by a game drive focusing on Katavi’s renowned hippo pools and crocodile habitat. A picnic lunch will be served in the park, allowing for extended exploration into the afternoon. Return to camp in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Transfer to Mahale Mountains
After breakfast, take a scheduled flight from Katavi to Mahale airstrip. On arrival, board a boat for a scenic transfer along Lake Tanganyika to your lodge or camp. Following check-in, enjoy lunch and a leisurely afternoon by the lake swimming or simply enjoying the surroundings. Dinner and overnight in Mahale.
Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking in Mahale
Start your morning with a guided chimpanzee trek on Mahale’s forested slopes. Observe wild chimpanzees in their natural environment before returning for lunch. The afternoon is at your leisure: swim, kayak, or relax on the beach. Dinner and overnight at your lodge or camp.
Day 6: Additional Chimpanzee Tracking & Lake Activities
After breakfast, participate in another chimpanzee trek to observe social interactions within the troop. Later, take a boat excursion on Lake Tanganyika or visit a local fishing village for cultural insights. Dinner and overnight at camp.
Day 7: Departure – Return to Dar es Salaam/Zanzibar
Following breakfast, transfer by boat to the airstrip for your return flight to Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar, concluding your Katavi & Mahale safari experience.
We handle all logistics, including transfers, accommodations, park fees, and guided tours. Our reviews highlight our reliability, knowledgeable guides, and ability to cater to special needs (e.g., vegan diets). Find out more about us here.
You can view all our tours here and book by clicking the “Request this Trip Now” button. You can also contact us at any time using the details below.
Contact Daigle Tours via:
Email: info@daigletours.com
Phone/WhatsApp: +255 (0) 737 213202 or +255 (0) 753 024590
Online Form: Early booking is recommended to secure your preferred itinerary.
Day Trips: From Arusha or Dar es Salaam, visit parks like Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Saadani, or Mikumi.
Multi-Day Adventures: Options include 3-day Saadani or Mkomazi trips, 5-day Usambara Mountains tours, or 7-day Western Tanzania adventures.
Custom Safaris: Tailored to your preferences, including Serengeti’s Great Migration, Zanzibar extensions, or Kilimanjaro treks.
Daigle Tours, a family-owned company since 2010, specialises in customizable safaris across Tanzania’s Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Circuits. Based in Dar es Salaam, we excel in Southern Tanzania’s less-crowded parks like Nyerere and Ruaha. Our exclusive lodge near Nyerere National Park offers unique wildlife experiences. With experienced guides, top-tier vehicles, and personalised service, we ensure a memorable safari.
Daigle Tours is the first choice for the Southern Circuit because:
- We’re based here – Our head office is in Dar es Salaam so we can easily access the best parks in the region, and we know them inside out.
- Exclusive Safari Lodge in Nyerere National Park (formerly known as Selous) – We own and operate a lodge on the border of Nyerere National Park, so you can enjoy the whole Daigle Tours experience when you stay with us there.
- True Experts – We can’t think of any other safari companies of our size who share our vast knowledge of the region. We can’t wait to show you around our homeland.
7 Days Katavi & Mahale Safari
STARTING FROM (per person, in USD)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: A 7-day safari through Katavi and Mahale for wildlife, chimpanzees, and Tanzania’s most remote wilderness.
INCLUSIONS: Park Fees
All Activities (Unless labelled as optional)
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day program)
Drinking Water (On all days)
All Accommodation (during the safari)
One-way Airport Transfer
Professional Driver/Guide
All Transportation (Unless labelled as optional)
All Taxes/VAT
EXCLUSIONS: International Flights (From/to home)
Additional Accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (Tipping Guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal Items (Souvenirs, Travel Insurance, Visa Fees, etc.)
Government Imposed Increase of Taxes and/or Park Fees
* Indicative costs per person
Why Visit Western Tanzania?
Western Tanzania is wild, remote, and utterly authentic — the ultimate off-the-grid adventure. Track chimpanzees in Mahale and Katavi’s untouched wilderness, walk with habituated troops in ancient forests, and feel like the only person on the planet, expertly guided by Daigle Tours.
Why the Western Circuit Stands Out:
