8-Day Tanzania Safari – Katavi & Mahale Mountains (8-Day Itinerary)

Your journey begins with your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport. A warm welcome awaits as your safari driver transfers you to a serene lodge on the outskirts of Arusha. Nestled between coffee plantations and Mount Meru’s silhouette, this restful base sets the tone for the adventure ahead.

Take the afternoon to unwind. Enjoy a locally roasted coffee on your veranda, stroll through lush gardens, or relax by the pool. A pre-safari briefing in the evening ensures you're well-prepared for the remote wilderness that awaits.

After breakfast, you’ll board a bush plane and fly westward toward Katavi National Park, a seldom-visited region known for its unspoiled beauty. The aerial views of the Rift Valley, salt pans, and endless plains will take your breath away.

Upon landing at a dusty airstrip, you’ll immediately sense the remoteness of Katavi. After settling in at your intimate lodge, set out for an afternoon game drive across open floodplains where elephant herds, lions, and massive buffalo congregate. Few other vehicles — if any — will cross your path.

Today, you’ll embark on a full-day game drive through the untouched heart of Katavi. Begin your morning tracking wildlife along the wide Katisunga floodplain, where thousands of buffalo gather in shimmering heat mirages. It’s one of the largest wildlife congregations in East Africa.

Lions, often lounging in the tall grasses or beneath sausage trees, follow the buffalo herds closely. In the afternoon, explore the acacia woodlands where giraffes, zebras, and rare antelope species like sable or roan may appear. As the sun dips low, return to camp under glowing skies and the cry of fish eagles overhead.

Your focus today is the lifeline of Katavi — the Katuma River. As the dry season deepens, the river retreats into hippo-infested pools teeming with drama. Hippos jostle for space while crocodiles wait nearby with chilling stillness.

This is a birdwatcher’s paradise too — storks, herons, bee-eaters, and raptors circle the sky or nest among reeds. Along the muddy banks, you might catch a leopard slipping through the brush or see elephants digging for hidden water beneath the dry surface.

Board another scenic flight over rugged terrain to reach Mahale Mountains National Park, where the rainforest meets the shoreline of Lake Tanganyika, the second-deepest lake in the world. From the airstrip, a boat ride brings you across turquoise waters to your secluded lodge.

Spend the rest of the day at leisure — walk along white sand beaches, take a swim in the crystal-clear lake, or watch vervet monkeys dart between the trees. With no roads in the park and only boat or foot access, Mahale feels more like a lost world than a safari stop.

After an early breakfast, set out into the Mahale rainforest on a guided trek to find one of Africa’s last remaining wild chimpanzee populations. Trackers lead the way through steep jungle terrain, following vocalizations, knuckle prints, and fresh nests.

Once you encounter the chimpanzees, you’ll be allowed to observe them up close for one magical hour. Watch as they groom, squabble, forage, and play — their behaviors so familiar it’s like staring into a mirror. The intimacy and energy of the forest make this moment unforgettable.

After yesterday’s trek, today invites you to relax and soak in the serenity. Enjoy kayaking on Lake Tanganyika’s pristine waters, take a gentle forest walk in search of Colobus monkeys and butterflies, or visit a nearby fishing village for a glimpse of local life.

End your day with a candlelit dinner on the beach, where fresh fish and chilled wine are served beneath the stars. The sounds of waves and forest creatures offer a natural lullaby in this perfect, disconnected paradise.

After breakfast, bid farewell to the Mahale shoreline and cruise by boat back to the airstrip. From here, you’ll fly over Tanzania’s vast wilderness en route to Arusha.

Upon arrival, a driver will take you to your hotel for a refreshing shower or directly to Kilimanjaro Airport depending on your international flight schedule. As you journey home, carry with you the memories of wild buffalo herds, pristine forests, and the eyes of a chimpanzee — a safari few have ever experienced.