Katavi & Mahale Fly-Ins
Discover a remote and utterly spectacular corner of Tanzania with this immersive Katavi & Mahale Fly-Ins safari—an exclusive nine-day adventure that takes you deep into the country’s untouched western frontier. Designed for seasoned safari-goers or intrepid travelers seeking something beyond the traditional northern circuit, this itinerary introduces you to two of Tanzania’s least-visited but most astonishing national parks: Katavi and Mahale Mountains.
What’s Included
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Shared light aircraft charter flights between Arusha, Katavi, and Mahale
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Airport meet and greet service
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All ground transfers and park fees
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Accommodation in intimate tented camps and luxury lodges
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All meals, drinks (excluding premium brands), and shared safari activities
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Expert guides and trackers for game drives and chimpanzee treks
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Full support from your dedicated Travel Concierge throughout the trip
Why Choose the Katavi & Mahale Fly-Ins Safari?
This itinerary is not your average East African safari. It’s a deep dive into two of the most remote, untouched, and biologically rich ecosystems on the continent. If you’ve already experienced the Serengeti or are simply looking to avoid the crowds, this is the next level. You’ll explore wild savannahs where elephants roam undisturbed and trek dense rainforests in search of our closest animal relatives.
Both Katavi and Mahale offer an extraordinary level of intimacy and exclusivity—each camp hosting just a handful of guests, and each day presenting surprises that feel completely unfiltered and raw. It’s a safari for the curious, the adventurous, and the experienced traveler who yearns to go deeper into Africa’s heart.
From thundering buffalo herds and elusive leopards in Katavi to soulful chimpanzee encounters and lakeside serenity in Mahale, the Katavi & Mahale Fly-Ins safari is one of the most unique and rewarding adventures in Tanzania.
Don’t just see Africa—feel it, hear it, breathe it. This is the wild, as it once was—and still is—in Tanzania’s majestic west.
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Days 1-2: Arusha:
Begin your journey with a night in Arusha. If you have time to explore, the city has a number of interesting attractions to discover. Otherwise, simply relax after your long flight before heading to Ngorongoro tomorrow.
Accommodation:
- Arusha Coffee Lodge (1 night)
Days 2-5: Katavi:
Check out of your lodge after breakfast and transfer to Arusha airport for a shared charter flight to Katavi, where you will be met and transferred to your lodge where you will spend the next three nights.
Katavi is completely off the beaten path and is unknown to all but the most ardent safari-goers. The national park encompasses vast grassland plains, marshland, rugged hills, woodland, lakes, and rivers, which, when combined with the nearby game reserves of Rukwa, Lukwati, and Luafi, form a 25,000-square-kilometer ecosystem. What’s more, with only a couple of permanent camps and a few hundred visitors a year, you’ll have it almost entirely to yourself.
Accommodation:
- Chada Katavi (3 nights)
Days 5-9: Mahale Mountains:
Check out of your lodge after breakfast and transfer to the Katavi Airstrip for a shared light aircraft to Mahale Airstrip where you will be transferred by boat to your hotel.
The Mahale Mountains National Park is located next to Lake Tanganyika, the world’s longest freshwater lake. The presence of chimps in the dense forests that cover its slopes adds to the uniqueness of this location. Jane Goodall made the area famous and has done much to raise chimp awareness and promote chimp conservation.
Accommodation:
- Greystoke Mahale (4 nights)
Days 9: Departure:
Transfer from your hotel by boat to Mahale airstrip and board your light aircraft flight to Dar es Salaam airport for your homebound flight.