8 Days Gombe, Katavi & Mahale Safari
This exclusive 8-day Western Circuit safari delivers a comprehensive experience of Tanzania’s remote highlights: Gombe Stream, Katavi, and Mahale Mountains National Parks. Begin your journey in Gombe, following in the footsteps of Jane Goodall to observe wild chimpanzees in their natural forest habitat. Continue to Katavi National Park, renowned for its vast wilderness and remarkable concentrations of buffalo, elephants, hippos, and predators along the Katuma River. Conclude your adventure in Mahale, a pristine rainforest reserve on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, supporting one of Africa’s largest chimpanzee populations. The itinerary combines guided chimpanzee trekking, classic game drives, and lake activities, with seamless connections via flights and boat transfers. Enjoy intimate accommodation in select camps and lodges designed to balance comfort with authentic wilderness immersion.
Day 1: Arrival in Kigoma – Transfer to Gombe
Arrive in Kigoma via scheduled flight from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar. Upon arrival, transfer by boat along Lake Tanganyika to Gombe Stream National Park. After lunch, participate in your first guided chimpanzee trek. Dinner and overnight at camp in Gombe.
Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking & Lake Activities in Gombe
Spend the morning trekking to observe chimpanzees. In the afternoon, enjoy leisure time to swim or kayak on Lake Tanganyika, or visit a local fishing village for a cultural encounter. Dinner and overnight at camp.
Day 3: Final Morning in Gombe – Return to Kigoma
After breakfast, enjoy a brief trek or relax by the lake. Later, transfer by boat back to Kigoma for overnight accommodation.
Day 4: Transfer to Katavi
After breakfast, fly from Kigoma to Katavi National Park. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive across the park’s expansive plains. Dinner and overnight at Katavi.
Day 5: Game Drives in Katavi
Explore Katavi’s savannahs and floodplains throughout the day. Observe elephants, zebras, giraffes, buffalo, and predators such as lions and hyenas. Lunch and rest at camp before a late afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight at camp.
Day 6: More Wildlife Encounters in Katavi
Following breakfast, embark on a full day of game viewing, focusing on the park’s hippo pools and crocodile-populated rivers. Enjoy a picnic lunch within the park before returning to camp. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7: Transfer to Mahale Mountains
After breakfast, fly from Katavi to the Mahale airstrip. Continue by boat along Lake Tanganyika to your lodge. After lunch, relax by the lake or enjoy a swim. Dinner and overnight at Mahale.
Day 8: Chimpanzee Trekking in Mahale & Departure
Begin with a guided chimpanzee trek in Mahale’s rainforest. Afterwards, transfer by boat to the airstrip for your outbound flight to Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar, concluding your Western Circuit safari
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.
8 Days Gombe, Katavi & Mahale Safari
STARTING FROM (per person, in USD)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: An 8-day Western Circuit safari for chimpanzees, wildlife, and Tanzania’s 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 Choose Southern Tanzania?
Why Southern Tanzania?
Southern Tanzania is Tanzania’s best-kept secret, offering unrivaled wildlife, breathtaking scenery, and authentic cultural encounters with fewer visitors. Explore Nyerere National Park’s vast wilderness, cruise the rivers of Selous Game Reserve, and connect with local communities—all with the expertise of Daigle Tours, your local safari specialists.
Why Southern Tanzania Stands Out:
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:
