9 Day Wild West Katavi & Mahale Chimp Safaris Jan – Dec 2022

Safari Highlights

Indulge the spirit of the adventurer in you as you experience a classical safari in one of East Africa’s most isolated and untouched wild places. Home to some of Africa’s largest herds of buffalo, Katavi boasts a wonderful array of habitats from reeded floodplains to open grasslands, dense forests, clear rivers and seasonal lakes. Explore the magnificent landscapes in search of wildlife in a 4×4 safari vehicle or set off on foot to discover the finer details of the bush. opt to spend a night out beneath the stars on an exhilarating fly camping adventure and listen to tales of the legendary huntsman Katabi, who the park is named after, as you relax around a blazing bonfire. A true taste of wild Africa, this adventure is the ideal option for seasoned African travelers looking for an experience that is authentic and out of the ordinary.

Travel by dhow boat on the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tanganyika, the world’s second deepest lake, to visit with the chimpanzees in one of Tanzania’s most untouched destinations. In Mahale Mountains National Park, Japanese researchers have studied an estimated population of about 1000 chimpanzees since the 1960’s. Highlights of this safari include chimpanzee trekking, bird watching, fishing excursions, kayaking, barbeques and sundowners on the beach around a campfire.

  • Day 01: Arrive Kilimanjaro International Airport – Arusha.

    Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, our VIP Visa Specialist will meet and welcome you to East Africa. He guides you through the entire Tanzania Visa application process and skipping long immigration queues. With Galloping Safaris, you will be escorted from arrival to departure, making your arrival to Tanzania completely worry-free. Upon exiting the airport, a Galloping Safaris representative will be holding a poster with your name who will transfer you to Arusha (45 minutes) for the Serenity retreat of Arusha Coffee Lodge this charming hotel has beautiful views of Mount Meru and is the ideal place to acclimatize to Africa or simply relax in the poolside gardens with a chilled drink. On cool winter evenings, get cozy next to a fireplace and sip one of the best coffees you will ever taste and enjoy dinner at the lodge’s restaurant.

  • Day 02: Flight Shared Charter Arusha – Katavi Airstrip + Katavi National Park – Game Drives.

    Early breakfast, 06h30 AM morning meet and greet and 06h45 AM pick up and transfer the short distance to Arusha Airport in time for Shared Charter flight to Katavi Airstrip depart at 08h00 and arrive Southern Katavi Airstrip at 11h00 AM. Met by your private guide and Vehicle and explore the Western Wild.

    Katavi National Park in the far west of Tanzania is somewhere that even today, few people have been lucky enough to visit. Perhaps because of this, it feels untouched, almost like travelling back in time. Explore and unwind during your 3-night stay at Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge in a Tent with ensuite bathroom. Your stay includes all meals, safari activities; Game Drives, Walking Safaris, drinks (excluding champagne and premium wines) and laundry.

  • Day 03: Katavi National Park, Safari activities – Sundowner + Cocktails – Evening High tea.

    Explore the magnificent landscapes in search of wildlife in a 4×4 safari vehicle or set off on foot to discover the finer details of the bush. Katavi National Park is home to a plethora of wildlife. Here guests can view vast herds of buffalo, elephants and an assortment of stealthy predators. Adventures include twice daily game drives in open 4×4 safari vehicles, bush walks with an armed guide and fly camping which will take guests to the heart of Katavi’s untamed wilderness. Overnight at Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge in a Tent with en-suite bathroom. Your stay includes all meals, safari activities; Game Drives, Walking Safaris, drinks (excluding champagne and premium wines) and laundry.

  • Day 04: Katavi National Park, Safari activities – Sundowner + Cocktails – Evening High tea.

    Explore the magnificent landscapes in search of wildlife in a 4×4 safari vehicle or set off on foot to discover the finer details of the bush. Katavi National Park is home to a plethora of wildlife. Here guests can view vast herds of buffalo, elephants and an assortment of stealthy predators. Adventures include twice daily game drives in open 4×4 safari vehicles, bush walks with an armed guide and fly camping which will take guests to the heart of Katavi’s untamed wilderness. Overnight at Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge in a Tent with ensuite bathroom. Your stay includes all meals, safari activities; Game Drives, Walking Safaris, drinks (excluding champagne and premium wines) and laundry.

  • Day 05: Flight Shared Charter to Mahale Airstrip – Boat transfer to Mahale Lodge.

    After a mouth-watering breakfast you will be transferred to the airstrip for your flight on Shared Charter departing from Katavi Airstrip to Mahale (Ikuu) Airstrip. arrive Mahale Airstrip at 12: 00 PM.

    From the Airstrip you will then take a Dhow boat transfer to Mahale Lodge approx. 1.5 hours). Staff welcome and introductions followed by lunch. Afternoon/early evening chimpanzee trekking or forest walk (if time allows). Evening sundowners, dinner and overnight at Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge.

  • Day 06: Mahale Mountain National Park + Chimpanzee Trekking – High tea & Evening sundowners.

    After a sumptuous breakfast, depart for morning chimpanzee trekking. Return to the lodge for hot lunch. Afternoon at leisure. Evening sundowners, dinner and overnight at Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge.

  • Day 07: Mahale Mountain National Park + Chimpanzee Trekking – High tea & Evening sundowners.

    After a sumptuous breakfast, depart for morning Chimpanzee trekking, Return to the lodge for hot lunch. Afternoon at leisure perhaps to kayak. Evening sundowners, dinner and overnight at Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge.

  • Day 08: Mahale Mountain National Park + Chimpanzee Trekking – High tea & Evening sundowners.

    After a sumptuous breakfast, depart for morning Chimpanzee trekking, Return to the lodge for hot lunch. Afternoon at leisure perhaps to kayak. Evening sundowners, dinner and overnight at Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge.

  • Day 09: Flight Shared Charter to Arusha Airport + Private Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport + Departure.

    Leisure breakfast, enjoy the best fine over the landscape, morning boat transfer (approx. 1.5 hours) to Mahale Airstrip for a Flight Shared Charter to Arusha Airport with well-deserved packed lunch. On arrival Arusha your will, be meet and greet with Walter and his team again and short transfer to Butter & Scotch for refreshments and snacks. Followed for de-briefing for your trip. Private transfer back to Kilimanjaro International Airport in time for check in for departure flight.

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PRICE DETAILS

This tour requires a minimum of 2 people to run. Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country. Land arrangements, Per Person
 

Low Season (5 Jan – 28 Feb & 1 Nov – 20 Dec 2021) $ 6,591 USD PER PERSON
High Season (1 – 4 Jan & 1 Jun – 31st Oct 2021) $ 7,386 USD PER PERSON

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What’s included:

  • Meet and Greet service at Kilimanjaro International Airport
  • Accommodation inclusions as per itinerary above
  • Scheduled internal flights: Arusha Airport/Mahale (Ikuu) airstrip /Arusha Airport and Arusha Airport/ Southern Katavi airstrip/ Arusha Airport

All scheduled road transfers:

Kilimanjaro International Airport /Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge/Arusha Airport

Arusha Airport/ Chada Katavi/ Mahale airstrip

Mahale airstrip/Greystoke Mahale/Mahale airstrip

Arusha Airport/ Kilimanjaro International Airport

  • Domestic departure tax (Arusha Airport)
  • Tourism Development Levy
  • Medical Evacuation Insurance
  • Park Fees
  • Administration Fee

 

Note:

  • Rates subject to a minimum of 2 guests travelling
  • Single supplement only refers to the single room supplement. Single traveler supplement will be quoted on request
  • Flights only depart on Mondays and Thursdays – camp arrivals and departures must therefore also fall on either a Monday or Thursday otherwise the supplier will regretfully have to pass on the price of the unused bed nights that occur in each Mon-Thurs or Thurs-Mon period. While possible to arrive/depart by private charter, the most economical way is to stick to the schedule. This itinerary has been created to suit the schedule and not incur any unnecessary costs
  • Validity periods are as specified above – should a booking fall over two rate periods the rate will change and we reserve the right to re-quote
  • The rates quoted are subject to change without prior warning if there are any increases in bed levies, park fees, fuel, sales tax or VAT, third-party services or any other circumstances beyond our control in the countries featured in this quote

 

Closure dates:

  • Chada Katavi is closed 16 November 2019 -31May 2020
  • Greystoke Mahale is closed 16 March to 30 May 2020