Southern Tanzania Wildlife and Chimpanzees

Arrive at Dar airport and transfer (shuttle available) to the domestic terminal on time for the local flight to Ruaha. Depending on your flight you might require a pre-night in Dar es Salam, contact us for options.

Arrive at Ruaha airstrip and transfer to the lodge. Your 3 nights stay at Ruaha River Lodge includes all your meals, and scheduled game drives, chat to your guide to schedule your days. Set on one of the most stunning stretches of the Great Ruaha River, you can see game throughout the day from the comfort of your veranda. Built out of local stone and thatch, the lodge is built around natural kopjes and capitalizes on it's exceptional position on a bend in the river.

Ruaha National Park has a huge diversity of species boasting both the Greater and Lesser Kudu; the striped and spotted hyaena as well as Roan and Sable antelope. The lion population is now so large that they have gained film rights for their prowess at hunting Giraffe, which is not their traditional fare. The park’s rugged rocky outcrops are home to a healthy population of leopards and we are privileged to see Hunting Dogs as well as cheetah, jackals, bat-eared Foxes, genet and civet. Many elephant herds are seen close to the lodge and throughout the Park.

Early morning wake up call and transfer to the airstrip on time for the flight to Katavi.

Arrival at Katavi airstrip, meet with your safari guide and transfer into camp. You will spend 4 nights at Katavi Wildlife Camp including all your meals and scheduled shared game drives.

Set on the edge of the Katisunga plain, nestled in the fringe of woodland that skirt this seasonal lake, Katavi Wildlife Camp blends seamlessly into it's environment, enjoying one of the best views in the park, amongst the trees that fringe the Katisunga plains. From your vantage point either on your tents veranda or from the upper viewing lounge you can watch the predators roaming the plains during the day.

Katavi National Park is raw, remote and little known. The immense concentration of game, especially as the seasonal lakes disappear, will astound even hardened safari-goers. Katavi has similar wildlife to Ruaha, with an enviable selection of antelope including Topi, Roan and Sable often found in large herds. Predators include some of the most luxuriously maned lions to be found, leopard, and hunting dog. As the river dries up the hippo fight for space in the limited pools and the croc caves become visible along the bank.The greater Katavi area has 373 recorded species of bird. The green season months will have additional migratory species.

After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip on time for your flight to Mahale.

Arrival mid morning and meet with your local guide for the transfer to the camp (road and short boat ride). You will be staying 3 nights at Mbali Mbali Mahale Camp including your meals, and the scheduled activities (incl 1 chimp permit). Set deep in the heart of the African interior on a stretch of secluded golden beach, Mbali Mbali Mahale is the perfect blend of comfort and luxury in a romantic setting. Mahale is a pristine, natural experience open to those willing to walk its trails. The birds, primates, monkeys, small predators and butterflies, all offer signs of life and there is little that beats an amble through the forest.

Once in Mahale, you can enjoy kayaking, boat safaris and lake fishing. You can also experience a forest walk of Mahale Mountains National Park. Learn about the Flora and Fauna on your trail from your expert guide.

Chimpanzee trekking is conducted once during your stay. Mahale is home to a population of chimpanzees who have been studied by Japanese researchers; they have quietly conducted some of the most important scientific work on these primates from as early as 1960's. The park is just over 1600 sq kms and it is quite an experience to trek for this wonderful animals. Note that the time you can spend with them is limited as per park's regulation and to minimize the disturbance to the animals (usually limited to 1 hour, depending on their movement).

Breakfast at the camp and transfer to the airstrip on time for the flight to Dar - note this return journey is made of different flight hops and will take most of the day before you reach your destination. A packed lunch will be provided for you.

Arrive at Dar airport and shuttle to the main terminal, or extend with a night in Dar if required.