Western Tanzania Wilderness

Area to Visit: Kilimanjaro Airport, Mbalimbali, Katavi National Park, Mahale Mountain National Park

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DAY 1: ARRIVE KILIMANJARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT       

Day Itinerary

Arrive Kilimanjaro International Airport, after clearing customs and immigration formalities you will be met and transferred to Arusha Coffee Lodge for dinner and overnight

Overnight: Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge    

Located in the middle of a verdant coffee plantation, Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge is a sanctuary of aromatic tranquillity and a welcome retreat after a long international flight, or the dust and excitement of a thrilling bush safari.

Take residence in one of 30 luxury wooden chalets – 12 Plantation Suites and 18 Plantation Rooms – nestled amongst the surrounding gardens and sea of coffee trees.

Turning off the road, a tree-lined drive guides you to the warm and inviting main area with its quiet understated aura of luxury. Vibrant gardens, a spa, and a swimming pool await, and a restaurant, Bacchus, and café bistro, 3° South, boast menus to satisfy the most discerning of palates, successfully fusing international culinary prowess with locally-sourced ingredients.

Visitors are also welcome to enjoy convenient gift shopping at the Traders Walk Boutiques, located on site. Browse through a collection of five boutiques offering arts and crafts, jewelers, clothing, gourmet coffee and cakes and traditional Swahili food.

Basis: Half Board – Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

DAY 2: MBALI MBALI KATAVI, KATAVI NATIONAL PARK

Day Itinerary

After breakfast you will be transferred to Arusha airport for a shared charter flight Arusha/Katavi. Upon arrival at Katavi airstrip you will be met by Mbali Mbali Katavi driver guide and drive to the camp for lunch. Afternoon game drive at Katavi National Park.

Overnight: Mbali Mbali Katavi          

In the centre of Katavi National Park lies Mbali Mbali Katavi, offering an exciting bush experience with breathtaking views over the vast plains of Katisunga.

Mbali Mbali has untapped this national secret and created a highly exclusive experience at the heart of the park. Mbali Mbali Katavi is ideal for the traveller looking for a truly remote experience away from regular tourist routes. In this park, you will find animals curious and unfamiliar to human contact.

The flotillas of pelican are a special sight. The lodge has been designed to blend in with its surroundings to avoid distracting from the beauty of Katavi, and herds of animals can be seen right from your tent.

Game viewing is exceptionally rewarding at Katavi due to the sheer abundance of wildlife. Game drives in our 4×4 vehicles centre around the woodland areas along the seasonal lakes, where most of the game can be found including the big cats. Game drives are offered twice a day with an optional night game drive.

Basis: Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
All Drinks (excluding Premium Brands) Included

DAY 3: MBALI MBALI KATAVI, KATAVI NATIONAL PARK

Day Itinerary

Full day game at Katavi National Park, meals and overnight at Mbali Mbali Katavi

Katavi National Park

Located in western Tanzania, the remote Katavi National Park is a captivating stop along the western tourist route. Encompassing Lake Katavi, the Katuma River, and picturesque Lake Chala, Katavi National Park encompasses roughly 4500 square kilometres of unspoiled Tanzanian woods, savannah and wetlands.

This park is the third-largest in the country and is home to the world’s largest herds of buffalo. Katavi boasts a wide array of bird and animal life, including leopards, elephants, zebras, lion,s and the densest hippo and crocodile populations in the country.

Basis: Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
All Drinks (excl Premium Brands) Included

DAY 4: MBALI MBALI MAHALE, MAHALE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK        

Day Itinerary

After breakfast you will be transferred to Katavi airstrip for a shared charter flight to Mahale, upon arrival at Mahale airstrip you will be met by Mbali Mbali Mahale driver guide and transferred to the camp for lunch, afternoon activity at Mahale National Park.

Overnight: Mbali Mbali Mahale       

Mbali Mbali Mahale sits on a stretch of sheltered golden beach, deep in the heart of the African interior.  Boasting a backdrop formed by the dramatic Mahale Mountain range, and the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tanganyika in the foreground, this secluded and romantic hideaway is the perfect blend of relaxation and luxury.

Each well-appointed Beach Tent has been strategically positioned to offer guests privacy, while still allowing easy access to the beach and communal areas. Each Beach Tent is on a raised platform; delivers 24-hour electricity and hot and cold running water. The tents provide self-contained mosquito nets around the beds and bathroom.

The primary activity in the park is chimpanzee trekking, carefully monitored so as to reduce human impact on the famous habituated M-Group chimps.  Take a gentle boat safari on the lake, or opt for a fishing excursion, where you may encounter crocodile, hippo and otter as well as an abundance of birdlife.

Kayaks are available for exploring the lake at your leisure, or you may choose to simply stretch out under one of the salas on the beach, while the gentle lapping of the lake lulls you into an afternoon siesta.

Basis: Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
All Drinks (excluding Premium Brands) Included

DAY 5: MBALI MBALI MAHALE, MAHALE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK        

Day Itinerary

Full day activity at Mahale Mountain National Park, meals and overnight at Mbali Mbali Mahale

Mahale Mountain National Park

Spreading out from the shores of beautiful Lake Tanganyika, the mountainous terrain of the Mahale Mountain National Park is home to some of Africa’s last surviving wild chimpanzees and trekking in search of these incredible primates is one of the main attractions of the reserve.

Other highlights include walking game safaris that take in the park’s diverse wildlife, hiking up the 2460-metre Mount Nkungwe – the highest of the Mahale mountain range’s six peaks – and fishing and snorkelling in Lake Tanganyika on the park’s western border.

While the park is home to over 900 chimpanzees, it is also home to a variety of other wildlife including: leopards, blue duikers, red colobus monkeys, giant pangolins, lions, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, otters and a variety of bird species.

Basis: Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
All Drinks (excluding Premium Brands) Included

DAY 6: END OF ITINERARY        

Day Itinerary

After breakfast, morning at leisure, lunch at the camp. Afternoon transferred to Mahale airstrip for a shared charter flight Mahale/Arusha. Upon arrival at Arusha airport you will be met and transferred to Kilimanjaro International airport for your evening departure flight back home.

Basis: Breakfast and lunch

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WHAT ITEAM INCLUDED AND EXCLUDED

Included

  • Full board accommodation while on safari
  • Transfers to and from the airports
  • A safari briefing at the beginning of the tour
  • All game viewing in a custom built 4 x 4 Land Cruiser safari vehicle driven by a professional English speaking driver guide
  • Excursions as per the itinerary
  • Park Entrance and concession fees throughout
  • 1 litre of water per person per day while in Traversing Africa safari vehicle
  • Current Government taxes and levies

Excluded

  • International Airfares
  • International and domestic departure tax
  • Laundry services
  • All alcoholic & Non-alcoholic drinks
  • Meals and excursions not described in the itinerary above
  • Entry Visas to the country
  • Travel and health insurance
  • Balloon flight in the Serengeti (additional charge USD545 per person)
  • Any optional tours or excursions not mentioned in the itinerary above
  • Gratuities (tips) to your guide, hotel staff and porters
  • Any other items of a personal nature, such as telephone and postage.

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Come experience the country’s beauty and diverse wildlife in their untouched, natural environment