5-Day Western Circuit Safari - Gold Tourism Tanzania

5-Day Western Circuit Safari – Primate & Big Game Safari

Safari Overview

Discover Tanzania’s most remote and untouched wilderness in this unique 5-day safari to the Western Circuit. Combining the raw beauty of Katavi National Park, with its vast plains and predator-rich game drives, and Mahale Mountains National Park, home to wild chimpanzees along Lake Tanganyika, this journey is perfect for adventurous travelers seeking rare wildlife encounters and off-the-beaten-path experiences.

Itinerary

Day 1: Fly from Arusha or Dar es Salaam to Katavi National Park

– Morning flight to Katavi (charter or scheduled flight)
– Pickup by guide and short game drive en route to lodge
– Afternoon game drive in Katavi’s open savannahs
– Spot lions, elephants, buffalo herds, crocodiles, and hippos
Accommodation: Tented camp or lodge inside Katavi National Park

Day 2: Full Day Game Drive in Katavi National Park

– Early morning and afternoon game drives
– Explore Katavi’s untouched wilderness, home to predators and large game
– Picnic lunch in the bush
– Sunset views over the floodplains
Accommodation: Same lodge or camp in Katavi

Day 3: Fly from Katavi to Mahale Mountains National Park

– Breakfast and transfer to airstrip
– Scenic flight to Mahale Mountains, landing on Lake Tanganyika’s shores
– Boat transfer to your lodge on the beach
– Afternoon at leisure (swimming, kayaking, or forest walk)
Accommodation: Eco-lodge on Lake Tanganyika beach in Mahale

Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking in Mahale Mountains

– Early breakfast, then start your guided chimpanzee trek
– Hike through lush rainforest to find and observe wild chimpanzees
– Spend up to 1 hour with the chimps (per park rules)
– Return for lunch and enjoy afternoon by the lake
Accommodation: Same lodge in Mahale

Day 5: Fly back to Arusha or Dar es Salaam

– Breakfast and boat transfer to airstrip
– Flight back to Arusha or Dar es Salaam
– End of safari adventure