Description

Flying to Katavi & Mahale National Park a 9 Days Trip

Day 1: Met upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International airport by your private driver and vehicle and transfer directly to a lodge in Arusha.

Day 2: Fly Arusha/Katavi

Catch your 0800 flight (shared charter) from Arusha across the savannah plains of Tanzania to the exclusive camp of Chada Katavi. Upon arrival you transfer by 4x4 from the airstrip to Chada Katavi Camp in time for a hot lunch and time to relax back at Camp.

Overnight Chada Katavi Camp: Set on a wooded promontory overlooking the plains of Katavi you cannot get much more "bush" than this! Six luxury tents set in the shade of acacia trees with commanding views of the open plains provide amazingly comfortable lodging, with open camp fires at night and overfriendly elephants wandering through the camp (FB).

Days 3, 4, 5 Katavi, Tanzania

Katavi is one of the few true remaining great wildernesses of Eastern Africa. Vast savannah plains stretch into the distance and you are almost guaranteed not to bump into any tourists during your stay! "Lakes" Chada and Katavi provide watering holes for huge herds of savannah game including hundreds if not thousands of hippo, elephant, lion, leopard, crocs, etc. This really is the adventurer's choice of safari, almost completely inaccessible by road, as you sit back and relax at camp during the evening you can finally appreciate what true nature is... Over the next couple of days you do a full day's game drive every day through the savannah plains, taking in the wonderful views and abundance of game, maybe stopping every now and then for a refreshing drink.

O/N Chada Katavi Camp (FB)

Day 6: Fly Katavi/Mahale, Tanzania

Today you have time for a short game drive in the morning before setting off on the next leg of the adventure. Departing at 1220 (midday) you fly (approx 1hr flight) from Katavi National Park to the shores of Lake Tanganyika. Landing on an airstrip at the foot of the Mahale Mountains you then have a pleasant cruise on a traditionally constructed (but very comfortable) dhow along the shores of the lake and to the private retreat of Greystoke Camp. A beautiful camp located at the foot of the Mahale Mountains with a private beach and direct access to one of the largest habituated troops of chimpanzees. Accommodation is in exotic wooden bandas overlooking the beach with adjoining bathrooms and imaginatively designed interiors. The bar and dining area are the focal point of the camp rising up form the sand and loosely modelled on traditional Tongwe architecture.

O/N Greahystoke Camp (FB),

Days 7,8 Mahale, Tanzania

After an early morning breakfast at camp you set off chimpanzee tracking into the forested foothills of the Mahale Mountains. Lush tropical jungle surrounds you as you follow the frenetic pant hoots of the chimps off in the distance; it is only when you finally come across them that you realize how privileged you are to spend time with these intelligent apes in their natural habitat. Sometimes sitting in the middle of the group it is difficult not to feel part of the family. A truly amazing experience!

Returning to camp in the afternoon spend time relaxing on the soft sands of the private beach or swimming in the gin clear waters. A perfect end to the day with cocktails and dinner served on the dhow!

Overnight Greystoke Camp (FB)

Day 9: Fly Kigoma/Arusha/Depart

Today you transfer by dhow back along the shores of the lake to the airstrip from where you catch your Shared flight from Mahale to Arusha. Met upon arrival by your private guide and vehicle and transfer directly to a hotel where you will lunch. After lunch a day room will be provided to freshen–up till late evening when you will be collected from the lodge and transferred to Kilimanjaro International flight where you will board your home bound flight.