Western Wilderness

• We will meet you at Dar es Salaam International Airport
• Transfer to your hotel
• Overnight at the Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel

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.

• Transfer to Dar es Salaam International Airport
• Flight to Ruaha National Park
• Overnight at Ikuka Safari Camp

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, an Ikuka Safari Camp 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 camp, approximately one hour away, depending on the wildlife encountered en route. Unwind and enjoy lunch in camp, before settling into your suite to relax and enjoy the views 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 camp to freshen up before enjoying a drink by the fireside and a delicious feast in the dining area.

• Game drives and exciting wildlife
• Overnight at Ikuka Safari Camp

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. For a unique experience, spend a night in the “Rock House” to sleep out under the stars within a mesh cocoon.

• Flight to Katavi National Park
• Overnight Chada Katavi

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 Katavi Airstrip by a guide from Chada 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 perhaps recline on your veranda with a book and a cold drink. 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.

• Game drives and incredible wildlife
• Overnight Chada Katavi

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.

Walking safaris are best enjoyed in the early morning when the day is still cool, returning to camp for a welcome shower and a light, refreshing lunch under the trees. For an alternative, nocturnal adventure, enjoy an early dinner then set out under the cover of darkness for a night game drive to search for some of Katavi’s more shy and elusive species.

With two full days in camp, there is sufficient time to sample all activities and get the whole experience of what Katavi offers.

• Flight to Mahale Mountains National Park
• Overnight Greystoke Mahale

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.

• Activities and relaxation
• Overnight Greystoke Mahale

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. 

• Flight to Dar es Salaam International Airport

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.