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Off the Grid: A Journey to Katavi & Mahale

Duration
9 days
Price from
£6,900 pp.
Location
Tanzania, Africa
Drone view of the iconic Greystoke Mahale Original

Trip Highlights

  • Chimpanzee tracking
  • Off the grid safari experience
  • Visit Tanzania's most remote locations

What's Included

  • 8 nights accomodation
  • Transfers
  • English-speaking guides

Our specialist says

A Journey Into the Wild Unknown: Discover Katavi & Mahale

For seasoned safari-goers craving something different and extraordinary, this off-the-map adventure into Tanzania’s remote west offers one of the wildest, most exclusive experiences in Africa. This is not your typical safari circuit - Katavi and Mahale feel worlds away from the more well-trodden routes, and that’s exactly what makes them so special.

Ottilie, our Tanzania specialist, says:

“Katavi and Mahale are two of my absolute favourite places in Tanzania. They offer this rare mix of true wilderness and complete exclusivity. Katavi gives you that big game safari without another vehicle in sight, and Mahale is just otherworldly. It’s peaceful, profound, and incredibly special.”

Your journey begins in Katavi National Park, a vast, untamed wilderness where the wildlife far outnumbers the visitors. Imagine golden plains dotted with thousands of buffalo, enormous hippo pods crammed into shrinking pools, and dramatic predator action playing out in complete solitude. It’s raw, wild Africa, and an absolute thrill for travellers who think they’ve seen it all.

After soaking in the drama of the savannah, you’ll swap open plains for dense rainforest as you fly to Mahale Mountains National Park, one of the most remote and captivating places in East Africa. There are no roads into Mahal, it’s reached only by boat across the shimmering waters of Lake Tanganyika, giving you a real feeling of isolation.

Here, the safari takes a slower, more soulful pace. The main event? Tracking wild chimpanzees through the jungle with expert guides. Spending time on foot with these intelligent, charismatic creatures is fascinating and incredibly moving.

In between treks, you can kayak along the lake’s edge, swim in the clear waters, or unwind on the beach with a cold drink and the mountains behind you.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 Welcome to Tanzania

Day 2 Fly to Katavi National Park

Staying at Chada Katavi Camp

After breakfast, transfer to Arusha Airport for a light aircraft flight to Ikuu Airstrip in Katavi. Stay at Chada Katavi for 4 nights, with all meals included.

Days 3-5 Safari in Katavi

Katavi

Spend the next few days exploring Katavi National Park on game drives. You will also have the chance to go on a night game drive and visit a nearby Katavi village.

Day 6 Travel to Mahale Mountains

Staying at Greystoke Camp

Return to Ikuu Airstrip for your flight to Mahale. On arrival, you will be transferred to your camp on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.

Stay at Grestoke Mahale for 3 nights, with all meals included.

Days 7-8 Chimpanzee Tracking & Lake Activities

Mahale mountains chimps

Spend time tracking chimpanzees in the Mahale Mountains and make the most of the activities on the lake including a sunset dhow cruise.

Day 9 Return & Departure

Ottilie
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Ottilie

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Duration

9 days

Location

Tanzania, Africa

Price from

£6,900 pp.

Price Includes

  • Domestic flights within Tanzania
  • Meals and drinks as listed
  • All applicable transfers, activities and park fees
  • Chimp trekking and other safari activities

Price Excludes

  • International flights
  • Single supplements
  • Any meals, activities, or transfers not specified

Price is per person* based on two people sharing and excluding international flights.
Accommodation and meals are as follows:

  • 1 night at Arusha Coffee Lodge, Arusha - plantation room, full board
  • 4 nights at Chada Katavi, Katavi - standard tent, full board
  • 3 nights at Greystoke Mahale, Mahale - banda, full board
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When to go to Tanzania

Find out the best time to visit Tanzania with our month by month guide.

  • Best
  • Good
  • Mixed
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

January

January is mixed when it comes to weather, temperatures rise whilst the chance of rain and humidity increases. It is still a good time to go, as the rates are lower yet the game viewing is still excellent.

  • During this time migratory herds are in the Serengeti for calving season, meaning the Ndutu plains are busy.

February

The weather remains hot with a chance of rain in February.

  • Meanwhile in the Ndutu Plains the migration is still occurring.

March

March is the calm before the storm, before heavy rains and humidity builds. Visitors can take great advantage of lower rates during the low season.

  • Migrating herds start to leave Ndutu, heading West towards Grumeti.

April

April experiences continued periods of heavy rain, we would advise against travel due to the conditions.

May

During may there is periods of heavy rain, we would advise against travel due to the conditions.

June

June heralds the wet season, bringing lush green vegetation which can make spotting game more difficult. It is a particularly great time for birders as parks become populated by migratory birds especially in the South.

  • Migration is still in the Grumeti area, heading north.

July

July is the start of peak season, temperatures reach up to 30 degrees and the surrounding land becomes drier and spotting game is becoming easier.

  • The migration is in the Northern Serengeti moving towards Kenya.

August

August is peak season, with bush land drying out game spotting becomes much easier. If you want to experience Tanzania game at its best, August is the time to travel.

  • The migration still remains in the north.

September

Peak season continues in September, the Northern circuit can be very busy, if you want to avoid crowds it's best to visit the southern parks.

  • The end of the migration is still in the north with herds on both side of the Kenyan and Tanzanian borders.

October

Peak season continues into October with good game viewing in the Serengeti and southern parks.

  • The migration has now crossed over into Kenya.

November

November is the start of the rainy season, the rains tend to be overnight so it is still a popular time to travel. During this month you can take advantage of low season rates.

  • Migration crossing over into the Serengeti can be seen a the Tanzania and Kenya border.

December

Rains continue in December, whilst the temperature and humidity start to build. Venturing out on safari is generally good, with large game still easily spotted.

  • Migrating herds in the north travel south back to Ndutu.

Plan with an expert Plan with an expert

Have a look at our original experiences and then contact us with your questions, or call 0203 111 1315

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