The Ultimate 9 Days Katavi And Mahale Fly-in Safari & Costs

A 9 Days safari in Katavi and Mahale presents a distinctive blend of traditional big game observation in Katavi National Park and chimpanzee trekking in Mahale Mountains National Park, delivering an authentically remote and untamed safari experience in western Tanzania. Katavi is renowned for its substantial gatherings of wildlife, including buffalo, elephants, and predators such as lions and wild dogs. Mahale is renowned for its chimpanzee population, facilitating intimate interactions with our nearest ape relatives in their natural environment.

This 9-day Katavi And Mahale Fly-in safari merges two extraordinary and unconventional wildlife areas in Tanzania, ensuring lasting memories and numerous anecdotes. The expedition commences at Chada Katavi Camp within Katavi National Park in western Tanzania. This obscure and infrequently visited treasure provides exceptional opportunities for big game observation in a wilderness so untouched that it evokes a sense of having returned to an era when vast herds traversed the land.

Following your immersion in elephants, buffalo, and large felines, the journey transitions to the distinctive Greystoke Mahale Camp, situated on a golden beach adjacent to Lake Tanganyika, where intimate interactions with our nearest animal cousins are anticipated. Paths within Mahale’s shaded woodlands lead to groups of accustomed chimpanzees, as your guides highlight more primates, avian species, and butterflies en route. This expedition is ideal for repeat safari participants and individuals seeking an authentic safari experience, offering a profound connection to nature unlike any before encountered.

9 Days Katavi And Mahale Fly-in Safari: $15,250 – $16,920 Per Person Sharing

A Detailed 9 Days Katavi And Mahale Fly-in Safari

Day 1: Arrive in Arusha | 1 Nights

Rivertree Country Inn is a quaint and cosy sanctuary situated just beyond Arusha in Tanzania. This boutique lodging, encircled by verdant gardens and lofty trees, provides a tranquil and isolated retreat from urban commotion.

The expansive and elegantly furnished rooms prioritise comfort, equipped with luxurious mattresses, en-suite bathrooms, and private patios or balconies offering vistas of the gardens or the mountains. The inn provides various amenities, such as a swimming pool, a restaurant featuring locally-sourced cuisine, and a spa with an array of treatments.

Day 2 – 4: Welcome to Katavi | 3 Nights

Charter a flight to Katavi National Park, situated in the remote western region of Tanzania. A brief game drive transports you to Chada Katavi Camp, your residence for the subsequent three nights. Arrive to kind greetings and an escort to your canvas suite. Upon settling in, proceed to the lounge tent for high tea and an introductory game drive.

From the beginning, you will be astonished by the profound isolation of Katavi. The grasslands, largely devoid of other vehicles, unfold before you in infinite golden expanses, teeming with numerous animals congregated during the exhausting dry season.

Your guide chooses a picturesque location and retrieves a hamper filled with evening refreshments and cold beverages. As the sun descends towards the horizon, you elevate a glass in tribute to the untamed nature and seclusion of Katavi. Return to the lodge in the early evening, where candles and lanterns emit a warm and inviting glow surrounding the fireplace. After refreshing, enjoy cocktails in the library prior to an exquisite three-course dinner.

Day 5 – 8: The Magical Mountains of Mahale | 4 Nights

Depart from Katavi as you ascend to the radiant expanse of Lake Tanganyika. You arrive at Mahale airstrip, where a boat transports you on a 90-minute voyage to Greystoke Mahale, your lodging for the subsequent four nights.

You will experience a sensation like to that of an early explorer as the camp emerges — a sprawling, Crusoe-like thatched edifice situated just on the beach, with jungle-covered mountains rising majestically behind it. Disembark and immerse yourself in a deserted realm, resonating with the calls of avian inhabitants of the forest. The lodge and its six guest bandas are fashioned from repurposed sailing dhows, thatch, and driftwood, harmoniously integrating into the lush surroundings.

Remove your shoes and let your toes immerse in the sand, abandon the outside world, and embrace the essence of this remarkable location. In the absence of highways, only animal routes and jungle trails are available for exploration. Nine primate species inhabit this ancient forest, but the chimpanzees are the primary attraction: venture into their territory with a knowledgeable guide for an encounter that will captivate you as our closest living relatives engage in play, foraging, and familiar behaviours.

Day 9: Homeward Bound

Like many enjoyable experiences, the enchanting days at Mahale must ultimately conclude. Following a final stroll along the beach, embark on the concluding trek to the Mahale airfield for a flight to Arusha.

While soaring over Tanzania’s wooded summits and expansive savannahs, reflect on the remarkable journey you have undertaken. The vast herds on expansive plains, the excitement of tracking a lion pride, and the profound connection established through a chimpanzee’s inquisitive stare are all experiences permanently etched in your memory, maybe urging a future return to Africa.

End of the 9 Days Katavi And Mahale Safari