11 Days Tanzania Off-the-Beaten Safari (Ruaha, Katavi & Mahale Mountains)

Upon your arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport, you’ll be warmly greeted by an African Diurnal Safaris representative who will facilitate your private transfer to the Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel 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 11-Days Tanzania Off-the-Beaten Safari begins tomorrow.

You’ll 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, our safari guide will meet you with a warmly greeting. After a short welcome briefing, set off for your first game drive as you make your way towards the Ruaha River Lodge, approximately 45-min away, depending on the wildlife encountered en route.

During your 3-night stay, you’ll engage in morning and afternoon game drives, walking safari as well as sundowners. Ruaha National Park, the second largest in Tanzania, spans approximately 22,000 km² and serves as the second-largest elephant sanctuary in the country. The park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including greater and lesser kudus, cheetahs, lions, as well as roan and sable antelopes.

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’ll be greeted at Katavi Airstrip by a guide from African Diurnal Safaris, 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.

The following 2-days of your 11-Days Tanzania Off-the-Beaten Safari in Katavi will be dedicated to a walking safaris. The activity is the 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.

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 our safari guide will be on hand to welcome you to Mahale Mountains National Park.

From here, you’ll travel by boat for a couple of hours, enjoying some light snacks on board as you make your way towards the remote lodge.

During your stay at Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge, 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.

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 for your ownward travels to mark end of your 11-Days Tanzania Off-the-Beaten Safari.

Having second thoughts? It’s also possible to extend your holiday to paradise islands, such as Zanzibar Island, Mnemba, Pemba, or Mafia Island!