Two wild camps in western Tanzania: bush and plains at Katavi, then chimpanzees and a white beach at Mahale.
This is the great adventure of western Tanzania. You begin with two nights at Chada Katavi, in a park with hippos, buffalo and almost no visitors, then fly to the shore of Lake Tanganyika for three nights at Greystoke Mahale, with chimpanzees in the forest and the lake at your door.
The two camps are run by the same team, the journey is by small plane and dhow, and there are no roads anywhere. It is expensive and remote, and for many travellers unforgettable.
Tanzania
Luxury safari
Handpicked luxury lodges and camps, chosen for their setting, service and guiding.
Private safari
Your own vehicle and guide for the whole journey, never shared with other travellers.
Made to measure
Change the pace, a lodge or an activity and we rebuild the itinerary around you.
Start any day
Travel on the dates that suit you, subject to lodge and permit availability.
Solo travellers welcome
Priced for one on request, with the single supplement shown under Rates.
Pace and fitness
Active, fitness: active.
Take the charter flight from Arusha to Katavi and drive to Chada Katavi, on the edge of the Chada plain, with a first game drive in the evening light.
Overnight
Chada Katavi (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A bush camp under tamarind and acacia trees, overlooking the Chada plain.
Walk with an armed ranger in the morning, then spend the afternoon at the hippo pools and on the floodplain with the buffalo herds.
Overnight
Chada Katavi (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A bush camp under tamarind and acacia trees, overlooking the Chada plain.
Fly across to Lake Tanganyika and take a dhow along the shore to Greystoke Mahale, arriving in time for a swim and sundowners on the beach.
Overnight
Greystoke Mahale (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A beach camp of thatched bandas on the shore of Lake Tanganyika, at the foot of the Mahale forest.
Set out early with a ranger and trackers into the Mahale forest to find a chimpanzee community, and spend an hour with them. The afternoon is for the lake.
Overnight
Greystoke Mahale (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A beach camp of thatched bandas on the shore of Lake Tanganyika, at the foot of the Mahale forest.
Trek again if the chimpanzees are close, or take a kayak or a dhow out on the lake, with snorkelling off the beach in the afternoon.
Overnight
Greystoke Mahale (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A beach camp of thatched bandas on the shore of Lake Tanganyika, at the foot of the Mahale forest.
Take a dhow along the shore to the airstrip and the charter flight back to Arusha, landing in the afternoon.
Chada Katavi (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A bush camp under tamarind and acacia trees, overlooking the Chada plain.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Greystoke Mahale (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
A beach camp of thatched bandas on the shore of Lake Tanganyika, at the foot of the Mahale forest.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Important to know
Rates per person
| Season | Solo | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people | 5 people | 6 people | 7+ people |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High season (Jun to Oct) | US$19,510 | US$16,530 | US$15,538 | US$15,538 | US$15,538 | US$15,538 | Get quote |
| Shoulder season (May, Nov) | US$17,110 | US$14,500 | US$13,630 | US$13,630 | US$13,630 | US$13,630 | Get quote |
Prices are per person, in US dollars, and depend on the number of travellers sharing the vehicle and guide. They are sample rates for planning and will be confirmed when you enquire, as lodge and permit prices change each year. The charter flights depend on aircraft availability and will be confirmed when you enquire. Chimpanzee sightings cannot be guaranteed, age limits are set by the park, and anyone who is unwell must not trek.
Best time for this trip May to Oct
For gorilla and chimp treks, bring sturdy waterproof hiking boots, long trousers you can tuck into your socks, a long-sleeved shirt, a light rain jacket and gardening gloves for grabbing vines. Porters are available at the trailhead and we recommend hiring one: it helps your trek and supports the local community.
Pack light, neutral colours for game drives, a warm fleece for early mornings, a sun hat and good sunscreen. Light aircraft have a soft-bag limit of 15 kg per person including hand luggage, so leave the hard suitcases at home.
Made to measure
Every Uwera safari is private. Slow the pace, add a night by a lake, swap a lodge or bring the children: tell us in your request and we will rebuild the itinerary around you.
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