7-Day Tanzania Chimpanzee Trekking Safari: 1 Rare Mahale & Katavi Adventure

This 7-Day Tanzania Chimpanzee Trekking Safari is for travellers who want to go far beyond the usual safari route. It combines the open floodplains and wildlife of Katavi National Park with the rainforest, mountains and Lake Tanganyika shoreline of Mahale Mountains National Park.

It is one of Tanzania’s most distinctive safari combinations. In Katavi, you will explore remote grasslands, seasonal rivers, hippo pools and woodland in search of buffalo, elephants, lions, antelope, crocodiles and birdlife. In Mahale, you will trek through forest with authorised guides in search of habituated chimpanzee communities.

This is not a rushed sightseeing holiday. It is a journey for people who enjoy remote places, wildlife photography, primate trekking, birdwatching and the feeling of being in a true wilderness landscape.

Katavi is known for its seasonal floodplains, buffalo herds, hippo pools, crocodiles and low visitor numbers. Mahale lies on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika and combines chimpanzee trekking with forest walks, boat trips and beach time.

EKO Tanzania Adventures can tailor this fly-in package around your travel dates, accommodation preference and the available flight schedule.

Package at a Glance

• Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights
• Destinations: Katavi National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park
• Start and finish: Dar es Salaam, Arusha or Kigoma, depending on flight arrangements
• Safari style: Private fly-in western Tanzania safari
• Activities: Game drives, chimpanzee trekking, Lake Tanganyika activities and optional forest walks
• Ideal for: Wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, birdwatchers, primate lovers, couples and experienced safari travellers
• Accommodation: Mid-range and luxury tented camp options
• Best time: Travel dates should be planned around available flights, trekking conditions and preferred activities

Why Choose Katavi and Mahale?

Most Tanzania safaris focus on the Northern Circuit. Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire are famous for good reason, but western Tanzania offers a completely different experience.

Katavi and Mahale are more remote, less visited and more logistically demanding. That is exactly what makes them special.

This package gives you the opportunity to:

• Explore one of Tanzania’s most remote safari areas
• Watch wildlife in Katavi’s floodplains and river habitats
• Search for elephants, buffalo, zebras, hippos, crocodiles and antelope
• Enjoy quieter game drives with fewer vehicles
• Trek through Mahale’s forest with an authorised ranger guide
• Observe wild chimpanzees responsibly from a safe distance
• Relax beside Lake Tanganyika
• Enjoy boating, kayaking or shoreline walks where available
• Combine classic safari wildlife with primate trekking
• Travel through landscapes most visitors never see

The route is especially suitable for travellers who have already visited Tanzania’s Northern Circuit and want a new wildlife experience.

Day 1: Arrival and Flight to Katavi National Park

Your Western Tanzania safari begins with a scheduled or charter flight toward Katavi National Park.

The exact starting point depends on the seasonal air schedule. Some itineraries begin in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Kigoma or another Tanzanian airport. EKO Tanzania Adventures will confirm the most practical flight plan before booking.

Katavi is remote, so flying is the preferred way to reach the park. Access may involve a flight to Mpanda Airport followed by a road transfer, or a seasonal charter flight to an airstrip closer to the park. TANAPA confirms that Katavi can be reached by air or by long road journeys from towns such as Mbeya, Kigoma and Tabora.

On arrival, meet your safari guide and begin the transfer to camp. Depending on your arrival time, this may become your first game drive.

As you enter the Katavi landscape, you will notice the scale of the wilderness. The park includes floodplains, woodland, rivers, seasonal lakes and long stretches of open country.

Check in at camp, enjoy lunch or dinner according to your arrival time, and settle into the atmosphere of western Tanzania.

Overnight: Safari camp or lodge in Katavi National Park
Meals: Lunch and dinner, depending on arrival time

Day 2: Katavi National Park – Floodplains, Buffalo and Hippo Pools

Wake up early for breakfast before leaving on your first full-day Katavi game drive.

Katavi is known for its wild and open landscapes. The park’s floodplains are shaped by the Katuma River, Lake Katavi and Lake Chada. During drier periods, wildlife may gather around remaining water sources, creating strong opportunities for observation and photography.

Your guide will take you through selected areas of the park in search of wildlife.

Possible sightings may include:

• Buffalo
• Elephants
• Zebras
• Giraffes
• Warthogs
• Impalas
• Waterbuck
• Hartebeest
• Topi
• Hippos
• Crocodiles
• Lions
• Hyenas
• Leopards
• A wide range of birds

Katavi is particularly known for its hippo and crocodile habitat. As water levels change, hippos may gather in shrinking pools while crocodiles rest along riverbanks or mud areas. These natural scenes depend on season and conditions and should never be promised as guaranteed sightings.

A packed lunch will be enjoyed at a suitable location before your afternoon game drive continues.

Katavi is also rewarding for birdwatchers. Wetlands, river edges, woodland and open grassland can support storks, herons, raptors, waterbirds, rollers and many other species.

Return to camp in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Safari camp or lodge in Katavi National Park
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3: Full-Day Katavi Safari and Optional Guided Walk

After breakfast, enjoy another day in Katavi National Park.

Your guide may take you to a different section of the park to explore new habitats and increase the variety of wildlife you see. One area may offer open plains and grazing animals, while another may focus on riverine woodland, hippo pools or seasonal wetland areas.

Katavi is not a place for rushing. It is best enjoyed slowly, with time to watch animal behaviour and appreciate the scale of the landscape.

During the dry season, water sources can attract large concentrations of wildlife. TANAPA highlights Katavi’s Katuma River system, Lake Katavi and Lake Chada floodplains as important areas for wildlife viewing, including buffalo, elephants, hippos, crocodiles and birdlife.

For guests interested in walking activities, an optional guided walk may be arranged only where permitted, with authorised guides and subject to current park rules. Katavi offers designated walking and hiking activities, but these must always be planned in advance and depend on conditions.

Return to camp for dinner and your final Katavi overnight.

Overnight: Safari camp or lodge in Katavi National Park
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4: Katavi to Mahale Mountains National Park

After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your flight towards Mahale Mountains National Park.

The exact route depends on airline schedules, seasonal charters and weather. Some journeys may involve a connection through Kigoma or another airport. EKO Tanzania Adventures will confirm your flight and transfer arrangements before travel.

Mahale is located on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika. Reaching it is part of the adventure. Depending on the selected route, you may arrive at an airstrip and continue by boat along the lake shore to your camp.

Lake Tanganyika is one of Africa’s great inland lakes. Its clear water, forested shoreline and surrounding mountains create a very different atmosphere from the floodplains of Katavi.

On arrival at your Mahale camp, check in and enjoy lunch or refreshments. The afternoon is free to relax, swim where permitted, enjoy the beach or take a gentle shoreline walk.

This is a transition day, allowing you to rest before chimpanzee trekking begins.

Overnight: Tented camp or lodge in Mahale Mountains National Park
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5: Mahale Chimpanzee Trekking Experience

After an early breakfast, meet your ranger guide for the chimpanzee trekking briefing.

Chimpanzee trekking is a guided forest experience. The trekking time can vary greatly because chimpanzees move freely through the forest. Some days they may be found after a relatively short walk; on other days, the trek may take longer and involve steep or uneven trails.

Mahale is renowned for habituated chimpanzee groups, meaning that certain communities have become accustomed to the presence of researchers and carefully managed tourist visits. This allows guests to observe natural chimpanzee behaviour while following strict guidance from rangers.

During the trek, your guide may point out:

• Chimpanzee calls
• Feeding signs
• Nesting areas
• Tracks
• Forest birds
• Butterflies
• Trees and plants
• Other primates
• Lake Tanganyika views through the forest

When chimpanzees are located, you will observe them from the distance and duration permitted by park rules and ranger instructions. You may see them resting, grooming, feeding, playing, moving through the trees or communicating with one another.

Chimpanzee sightings cannot be guaranteed because these are wild animals in a large forest. However, Mahale is one of Tanzania’s leading destinations for responsibly guided chimpanzee trekking.

After returning to camp, enjoy lunch and a relaxed afternoon by the lake. You may choose to swim, kayak, take a boat ride or simply rest.

Overnight: Tented camp or lodge in Mahale Mountains National Park
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6: Second Chimpanzee Trek or Lake Tanganyika Activities

Today offers flexibility based on your interests and the arrangements made in advance.

Option One: Second Chimpanzee Trek

A second trek gives you another opportunity to experience Mahale’s forest and observe the chimpanzees on a different day. Chimpanzee behaviour changes constantly, so no two treks are alike.

You may see a different part of the forest, hear different bird calls or observe a different social interaction within the chimpanzee community.

Option Two: Lake Tanganyika and Forest Activities

If you prefer a slower day, you may choose from activities available through your camp and current park arrangements, such as:

• Boat excursion on Lake Tanganyika
• Kayaking
• Snorkelling where suitable
• Beach relaxation
• Birdwatching
• Guided forest walk
• Photography around the lakeshore
• Relaxed camp time

Mahale’s beauty lies in the combination of rainforest, mountains and lake. The park is not only about chimpanzees; it is also a place to enjoy quiet natural surroundings.

TANAPA notes that Mahale offers guided chimpanzee trekking, hiking, beach walks, boating, kayaking and other lake activities, depending on current arrangements.

Return to camp for dinner and your final Mahale overnight.

Overnight: Tented camp or lodge in Mahale Mountains National Park
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7: Departure from Mahale

After breakfast, enjoy your final view of Lake Tanganyika before transferring by boat or vehicle to the relevant airstrip.

Board your scheduled or charter flight according to your departure plan. Depending on the route, you may connect through Kigoma, Dar es Salaam, Arusha or another Tanzanian airport before continuing to your international flight.

This marks the end of your 7-Day Tanzania Chimpanzee Trekking Safari with EKO Tanzania Adventures.

Meals: Breakfast

About Chimpanzee Trekking in Mahale

Chimpanzee trekking is an active wildlife experience, not a guaranteed short walk. Guests should be comfortable walking on uneven forest trails and should be prepared for changing weather.

The trek may involve:

• Uphill and downhill sections
• Muddy or slippery trails after rain
• Warm and humid conditions
• Forest insects
• Several hours of walking
• Waiting quietly near chimpanzees
• Strict wildlife-viewing rules

You should follow ranger guidance at all times. This protects both visitors and chimpanzees.

Bring sturdy walking shoes, a light rain jacket, insect repellent, water, neutral-coloured clothing and a small daypack. Do not approach wildlife closely, feed animals or use flash photography.

Best Time for a Katavi and Mahale Safari

Western Tanzania can be visited at different times of year, but the best dates depend on what you want to experience.

The drier months can be attractive for Katavi wildlife viewing, as animals may gather closer to remaining water sources. TANAPA identifies June to October as a peak wildlife-viewing period for Katavi.

Mahale can be visited throughout the year. The drier period is often preferred for trekking and beach time, while greener months can offer lush forest conditions and fewer visitors.

The most important planning factor is flight availability. Katavi and Mahale are remote, and schedules may be seasonal. Booking well in advance is strongly recommended.

Accommodation Options

Mid-Range Adventure Safari

This option uses comfortable tented camps or lodges with private bathrooms, good meals and a strong wilderness setting. It suits travellers who want comfort without excessive luxury.

Luxury Fly-In Safari

A luxury package includes premium camps, private transfers, excellent locations, personalised service and carefully planned domestic flights. It is ideal for honeymoons, photographers and guests seeking a more exclusive Western Tanzania safari.

What Is Included?

Your final quotation can include:

• Domestic scheduled or charter flights as stated
• Airstrip transfers
• Boat transfers in Mahale where required
• Private game drives in Katavi
• Professional safari guide
• Chimpanzee trekking permits and ranger guidance where stated
• Accommodation as listed in the itinerary
• Meals as listed
• Drinking water during safari activities
• Park entry and conservation fees where included
• Government taxes and levies where applicable

What Is Not Included?

Unless stated in your final quotation, the following are normally excluded:

• International flights
• Tanzania visa fees
• Travel, medical and emergency evacuation insurance
• Alcoholic drinks and premium beverages
• Tips for guides, rangers, camp staff and boat crews
• Laundry services
• Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
• Personal trekking equipment
• Extra accommodation before or after the safari
• Any flight changes caused by personal travel changes

Book Your Western Tanzania Chimpanzee Safari

This 7-Day Katavi and Mahale package is a rare Tanzania adventure for travellers who want remote wilderness, classic safari wildlife, forests, chimpanzees and Lake Tanganyika in one journey.

EKO Tanzania Adventures can help you plan the right travel dates, domestic flights, permits and accommodation level for this special safari.

WhatsApp: +255 761 353 184
Call: +255 761 353 184
Email: info@ekotanzaniaadventures.com
Alternative email: ekotanzaniaadventure@gmail.com