11 Day Western Wilderness - Ruaha, Katavi & Mahale Mountains
Countries: Tanzania
Destinations: Dar es Salaam , Ruaha National Park , Katavi National Park , Mahale Mountains National Park
Group Size: 2
Duration (days): 11
Number of Adults: 0
Number of Children: 0
An 11-day wilderness adventure that takes you off the beaten track and through some of the most remote and spectacular safari destinations in Tanzania.
The Western Wilderness itinerary, embracing Ruaha, Katavi and Mahale Mountains national parks, offers a diverse and exciting safari experience. Far from the famous “northern circuit” itineraries, these off-the-beaten-track reserves are some of the most remote and rewarding wildlife destinations in Africa, where you can experience the true wilderness and encounter a variety of magnificent animals.
Ruaha National Park is one of the largest protected areas in Tanzania and is home to a tenth of the world’s lion population, elephant, giraffe, zebra, buffalo and over 450 bird species. You can explore its dramatic landscapes of savannahs, hills, and baobab trees by game drive, hot-air ballooning, or walking safari.
Katavi National Park is one of the best dry-season parks in Africa, where you can witness vast herds of buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard, hyena, hippo and crocodile. The park is situated in the remote west of Tanzania, making a safari here a rare and wild experience. You can enjoy the solitude, tranquillity and scenery from a boutique and intimate safari camp.
Mahale Mountains National Park is an adventurer’s dream, located in the west of Tanzania and only accessible by boat. Steep forested mountains meet the lake, with sandy beaches in between. Walking safaris through the forests invite you to see chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Enjoy spectacular views of Lake Tanganyika, where you can swim, fish or kayak.
Itinerary Outline
| Day | Location | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dar es Salaam | Dar es Salaam Serena |
| 2 | Ruaha National Park | Jabali Ridge |
| 3 | Ruaha National Park | Jabali Ridge |
| 4 | Katavi National Park | Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge |
| 5 | Katavi National Park | Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge |
| 6 | Katavi National Park | Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge |
| 7 | Mahale Mountains National Park | Greystoke Mahale |
| 8 | Mahale Mountains National Park | Greystoke Mahale |
| 9 | Mahale Mountains National Park | Greystoke Mahale |
| 10 | Mahale Mountains National Park | Greystoke Mahale |
| 11 | Day of Departure |
Day 1 : Dar es Salaam
Upon your arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport, you will be warmly greeted by an Asilia representative who will provide you with a refreshing cool towel. You will then be transferred to the Dar es Salaam Serena in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle. The transfer time will be around 25-minutes, depending on the time of day. Unwind here after your international flights before your safari adventure begins tomorrow.
Tanzania
A land full of icons, with the names Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro and Zanzibar immediately evoking images of exotic locations and abundant wildlife. A Tanzanian safari is an experience for all of the senses, and caters for every kind of traveller.
Tanzania is a country which was seemingly designed with the word "safari" in mind. There are enough national parks and different safari activities to keep travellers coming back year on year, with the added benefit of easily combining beautiful tropical beaches with the wildlife rich plains.
A Tanzanian safari is a journey in the true sense of the word, with each itinerary feeling like an exploration out into the wilderness. Moving from park to park, either by road or air, the countryside offers something new at each stop.
The plains of the Serengeti have become synonomous with an African safari, and by visiting the right areas and camps, you will be able to see the legendary wildebeest migration as it moves across the grasslands in constant search of fresh grazing and water.
To the south of the country are the remote reserves of Selous and Ruaha, while in the west you can trek into the mountains to witness chimpanzees along the shores of the mystical Lake Tanganyika.
Dar es Salaam
Founded by the Sultan of Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam remained only a small port until the German East Africa Company established a station there in 1887. During the German occupation in the early 20th century, Dar was the centre of colonial administration and the main contact point between the agricultural mainland and the world of trade and commerce in the Indian Ocean and the Swahili Coast. It served as the capital of German East Africa (1891 to 1916), Tanganyika (1961 to 1964) and Tanzania (1964 to 1974,) when Dodoma was designated Tanzania’s national capital.
Buildings in Dar often reflect the city’s colonial past and display a rich mix of architectural styles incorporating Swahili, British, German and Asian traditions. Post World War II modernisation and expansion brought contemporary multistoried buildings including a hospital complex, a technical institute and a high court. Educational facilities comprise the University of Dar es Salaam (1961), several libraries and research institutes as well as the National Museum. Other historical landmarks include St Joseph’s Cathedral, the White Father’s Mission House, the Botanical Gardens and the old State House, which make for an interesting walking tour around the waterfront and city centre.
Dar’s natural, nearly landlocked harbour is the outlet for most of mainland Tanzania’s agricultural and mineral exports and is also a transit port for the Congo River. The city is the terminus of a rail line west to Kigoma on Lake Tanganyika, north to Mwanza on Lake Victoria and south to Zambia.
Dar es Salaam Serena
Experience urban living at its most cosmopolitan at Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel, located at the heart of the city centre business district, just moments from sandy Indian Ocean beaches, a bustling fish market and eclectic crafts markets, boutiques and restaurants. A garden oasis of tranquillity and charm, our five-star Dar es Salaam hotel promises the warmest of welcomes, vibrant experiences and vivid memories of your stay.
For discerning business and leisure travellers with a taste for the very finest, our distinctive five-star hotel is a place to call home. Exceptional security and impeccable service as well as world-class amenities and cuisine create the perfect retreat within a thriving metropolis.
Acclaimed as one of Tanzania’s most prestigious hotels, Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel offers a perspective that is the essence of the city itself: diverse and stylish yet exceedingly relaxed and down-to-earth.
Day 2 : Ruaha National Park
You will be met in the morning for a transfer back to the airport for your flight to Ruaha National Park. There may be stops at other airstrips along the way, but on arrival at Msembe Airstrip, a Jabali Ridge guide will meet you with cold drinks and snacks. After a short welcome briefing, set off for your first game drive as you make your way towards the lodge, approximately one hour away, depending on the wildlife encountered en route. Unwind and enjoy lunch in camp, before settling into your suite to relax in your hammock or cool off in the swimming pool overlooking the baobab forest.
Afternoon tea offers delicious treats and the chance to refuel before setting out for a memorable game drive, hoping to spot big cats and herds of buffalo. As the sun sets and the light turns golden, you can stop for a romantic sundowner, framed by towering baobabs. As dusk gathers, return to the lodge to freshen up before enjoying a feast in the dining area or a delicious barbeque under the canopy of glittering stars.
Ruaha National Park
Also on the southern circuit, but even further removed than the Selous, Ruaha National Park provides a wild and game rich safari experience, with an incredible dry season concentration of animals.
With its variety of landscapes, and excellent sightings, as well as the remote location far from any major human habitation, Ruaha has made a name for itself as one of Africa's great game reserves.
A unique mix of species is found in Ruaha, with the park being located in the transitional zone between the acacia savannah of East Africa and the miombo woodland belt of Southern Africa.
Flowing along the eastern border of the park, the great Ruaha River is the lifeblood of the area, being the only source of water during the dry season, and therefore attracting an enormous concentration of wildlife.
Jabali Ridge
Jabali Ridge is a stylish camp in the wildlife-rich Ruaha National Park, set on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Mwagusi River and Ikuka escarpment. A landscape of sun-bleached plains, mighty baobabs and hardy shrubs, Ruaha is home to large numbers of lion, elephant, buffalo and even endangered African wild dogs. During the rainy season, visitors can hear the incredible thundering of the Ikuka waterfalls and even witness the Mwagusi beginning to flow after being dry for seven months. The dry season is equally exciting, with opportunities to spot buffalo herds in the riverbed and elephants digging in the sand for water.
Day 3 : Ruaha National Park
Your day starts with a gentle wake-up call as tea or coffee is delivered to your room at the agreed-upon hour. Early mornings are ideal for walking safaris, offering the opportunity to experience an entirely different perspective of the bush before the day’s heat climbs. While big game may be seen, the emphasis of a walking safari is on the miniature ecosystems, each playing its vital role in the overall picture, which is often overlooked from the elevated perspective of a safari vehicle.
As the temperature increases, head for the lodge and the promise of an ice-cold beverage, a dip in the pool and a delicious lunch. The early afternoon is open for relaxation or perhaps indulging in a soothing spa treatment before gathering again for an afternoon game drive. In addition to an afternoon drive, there is the option to enjoy an exhilarating night game drive, which allows spotting some lesser seen, often rare and shy nocturnal wildlife species.
Day 4 : Katavi National Park
You have an early start to your day as you head to Msembe Airstrip for your morning flight to Katavi National Park. After the 90-minute flight, you will be greeted at Ikuu Airstrip by a guide from Mbali Mbali Katavi, who will welcome you to the area and provide you with some light refreshments. The short transfer to the lodge can be extended into a longer game drive should you choose to do so.
You’ll have time to explore and relax once you arrive at the lodge and enjoy a satisfying lunch under the trees. You might be tempted to take an afternoon nap after the early start to your day, or you may want to gravitate to the pool for a swim. Later in the afternoon, you’ll head out on a game drive to the plains to see some of the captivating species Katavi is known for. Meandering along the river, expect to find large pods of hippo and fantastic numbers of crocodile basking in the afternoon sun. As the evening approaches, you’ll return to the camp for a hot shower before enjoying drinks by the crackling fire beneath a panoply of stars, followed by a delicious dinner.
Katavi National Park
Quite possibly the wildest place in Tanzania, if not Africa, Katavi National Park can only be accessed by scheduled flights twice weekly, or private charter, or a 2 - 3 day overland trip from one of the main centres of Tanzania.
This obviously means that tourist numbers are incredibly limited, and a true adventure awaits anyone who puts in the effort and cost to experience the region. While not coming easy or cheap, the result is a safari experience enjoyed by only a relative handful of travellers, rewarding them with an epic wildlife bonanza. Katavi is most popularly combined with Mahale Mountains National Park, on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, and these 2 together offer an unbeatable 7 day adventure.
Located along the rift escarpment in western Tanzania, it offers incredible scenery including immense wetlands, roaring waterfalls and original miombo woodlands, where the Sable antelopes often hide.
Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge
In the center of Katavi National Park lies Mbali Mbali Katavi, offering an exciting bush experience with breathtaking views over the vast plains of Katisunga. Mbali Mbali Katavi is ideal for the traveler 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. Game drives are offered twice a day with an optional night game drive.
Day 5 - 6 : Katavi National Park
Mornings begin with a gentle “good morning” called from outside your tent as your pre-arranged morning wake-up call arrives, bearing your preferred hot drink. There is some flexibility in terms of how you choose to structure your day. Breakfast is generally a picnic to get out into the bush as early as possible. Still, you can either return to the camp for lunch with the opportunity to relax before heading out for an afternoon game drive or take a packed lunch and stay out for a full-day game drive, returning to camp in the afternoon. With two full days in camp, try each option to get the whole experience of what Katavi offers.
Day 7 : Mahale Mountains National Park
The flight to Mahale departs at 08h40, allowing for a slightly more relaxed morning with breakfast in camp before departure. After an hour in the air heading in a north-westerly direction, land on the lakeshore airstrip, where a guide from Greystoke will be on hand to welcome you to Mahale Mountains National Park. From here, you will travel by boat for a couple of hours, enjoying some light snacks on board as you make your way towards the remote lodge.
Situated on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, Greystoke Mahale offers a combination of exciting chimp trekking, forest exploration, water-based activities, and pure relaxation. The chimps tend to be the initial highlight, but there is plenty else to do here for those looking to stay occupied. If you’re looking for relaxation, this environment’s remoteness and isolation will allow you time to recharge your batteries.
Mahale Mountains National Park
Paradise.
Mahale Mountains National Park is wonderful. It is difficult to write this description without filling it completely with superlatives.
Located right on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, an expensive and relatively long flight from Arusha (operated only twice weekly), followed by a relaxing dhow cruise, takes you to the lush and stunningly beautiful Mahale Mountain range, which slopes right down to the water's edge.
In the distance, across the water you can see the hills of the DRC as the horizon, confirming that you are now deep in the African continent, in one of the most remarkable locations.
The major drawcard of Mahale is the chimpanzee trekking, which is a heart-racing, dream fulfilling excursion, which takes you through the jungle of Mahale, and within touching distance of wild chimpanzees.
Besides the chimp trekking though, Mahale can be enjoyed for its serenity, beauty, water activities, fishing, the amazing locals, and the relaxation of the sandy beach. While it is a costly exercise, if funds allow, Mahale Mountains must be visited at least once in a lifetime. Combining Mahale with Katavi National Park, which lies just to the east can create an unbeatable Tanzanian safari itinerary.
Greystoke Mahale
IN OUR FAMOUS JUNGLE-CHIC LODGE BY A GIN-CLEAR LAKE, WE LIVE AND BREATHE CHIMPANZEES.
Come on a legendary journey to meet the most privileged primates on the planet: the wild chimpanzees of Mahale - and us, the trackers, guides and helpers who share their leafy Nirvana. In the forest’s dappled sunlight, chimpanzees romp and commune around us. At the lakeshore, on a white beach, Greystoke opens its shaggy arms, hewn from vintage dhows, proffering yet another level of pleasure to all our intrepid guests.
Day 8 - 10 : Mahale Mountains National Park
During your stay at Greystoke, you are entitled to one chimp trekking expedition every 24-hour day. However, as the chimps are wild animals, it is impossible to guarantee chimp sightings. Some days, they may be right behind the lodge, while on some other days, they might be high in the forest. Apart from chimp trekking, you can also enjoy a restful dhow cruise along the shoreline or take a kayak out early in the morning to watch the sunrise from the water. The forest is home to eight other fascinating species of primates, and you can explore a phenomenal collection of insects, birds, and plant life on guided walks.
Day 11 - Day of Departure
After a final breakfast in the lodge, it’s time to make your way towards the airstrip for the long flight back to Dar es Salaam. You’ll depart with a packed lunch to keep your spirits up and should land in Dar es Salaam at approximately 16h45, allowing sufficient time to connect with your international flight home.