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Tanzania Western and Southern Safari and Chimpanzee Trekking

19 Days | 18 Nights

From $5,104 / person 

Your trip overview

Join us on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through Tanzania’s Western and Southern Circuit with this 19-day safari that promises to immerse you in some of the most untouched and pristine wildlife habitats in the country.

This special safari is perfect for those seeking to experience an authentic side of Tanzania, featuring spectacular wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and incredible opportunities to see chimpanzees in their natural habitats.Your adventure begins in Dar es Salaam, where you’ll catch a domestic flight to Kigoma, the gateway to Gombe Stream National Park, home to the world-famous chimpanzees.

Gombe is a paradise for primates, offering you the rare opportunity to trek into the lush forests and observe chimpanzees in their natural environment. Get up close to these highly intelligent and social creatures, and enjoy the stunning vistas of Lake Tanganyika.

After your chimpanzee encounter, head to Katavi National Park, a hidden gem that offers an untouched wildlife experience. Known for its high concentration of big cats, including lions, leopards, and cheetahs, Katavi provides an intimate setting to witness nature in its purest form. The park is also home to abundant wildlife such as buffaloes, elephants, and hippos. The remote location ensures a tranquil safari experience, with the wilderness at your doorstep.

Next, journey to the pristine shores of Lake Tanganyika, where you can relax on the freshwater beaches, indulge in water activities, or simply unwind amidst the serene beauty of this untouched corner of the world. The lake is also rich in birdlife, with colorful butterflies and speckled birds adding to the picturesque environment.

Continue your exploration as you head to Kitulo National Park, often referred to as the “Serengeti of Flowers.” This park is a paradise for nature lovers, particularly those who appreciate flora and fauna. Kitulo is known for its vibrant meadows of wildflowers and is a key destination for birdwatching, with over 400 species, including endemic species that thrive in this lush landscape.

Your safari then takes you to Ruaha National Park, one of the largest and most remote parks in Tanzania. Here, you’ll witness an array of wildlife, including elephants, lions, and wild dogs. The park’s diverse terrain, from savanna to woodlands, offers a unique landscape for game viewing. Ruaha is also known for its birdlife, with over 400 species recorded within the park.

Finally, end your safari in Mikumi National Park, one of Tanzania’s most accessible parks. Here, you’ll encounter large herds of elephants, zebras, and wildebeests, as well as the opportunity to spot predators such as lions and hyenas. Mikumi’s proximity to Dar es Salaam makes it a perfect conclusion to your adventure, offering a mix of wildlife viewing and relaxation.

This 19-day safari offers an unforgettable exploration of Tanzania’s untouched and wild side. From chimpanzee trekking in Gombe to the spectacular landscapes of Katavi, Lake Tanganyika, Ruaha, and Mikumi, you’ll experience some of the most beautiful and remote destinations in Africa, all while immersing yourself in the region’s rich wildlife and culture. Whether you’re observing chimpanzees or lions, this safari promises to be an experience like no other.

Trip Destinations

where to visit

Picture of Planning Your Safari

Planning Your Safari

Organizing a safari in Tanzania, can be overwhelming due to the many choices available for transport, accommodation, and activities.

Reviews and Rates

Full Itinerary

Day by Day

Day 1: Arrival to Dar es Salaam International Airport

You will be picked up from Dar es Salaam International Airport and transferred to a hotel in the city. After clearing customs and passport control, you will walk out of the airport to meet our driver, who will be holding a page board with your name clearly printed on it (if you arrive early enough in the day). Dinner and your overnight stay will be at the hotel.

Accommodation: Harbour View Suites

Where to stay

Day 2: Domestic flight from Dar es Salaam to Kigoma

You will be picked up from the hotel and transferred to Dar es Salaam Airport for a flight to Kigoma with Air Tanzania. You will be met by your driver-guide upon arrival at Kigoma airport, at which point you may go into the city for lunch and a historical tour. You can also visit Ujiji Town and the Livingstone Memorial for Slaver trade routes and history, late continue with local life experiences. Dinner and your overnight stay will be at the hotel.

Accommodation: Lake Tanganyika Hotel

Where to stay

Day 3: Boat transfer from Kigoma to Gombe National Park

After an early breakfast you will be transferred to Kiberizi for a dhow boat departing at 0600hrs. Your journey to Gombe Stream National Park will take about two to three hours depending on the type of boat. Gombe offers chimpanzee trekking, snorkeling, hiking, swimming, and plenty of leisure activities.

Accommodation: TANAPA Gombe Rest House

Where to stay

Day 4: Later transfer back from Gombe to Kigoma

After eating a sunrise breakfast on the beautiful shores of Lake Tanganyika, you will go on a half-day guided chimpanzee expedition in Gombe. Later you’ll eat lunch and spend some leisure time on the beach before transferring by dhow boat back to Kigoma city via Kibirizi.

Accommodation: Lake Tanganyika Hotel

Where to stay

Day 5: Road transfers to Katavi National Park

After an early breakfast you’ll drive four-to-five hours to Katavi National Park via Uvinza. This park is home to a huge population of hippos and varied birdlife. Lonely, untrammeled, and infrequently visited, Katavi is a true wilderness. It provides the few intrepid souls who make it here with a thrilling taste of Africa as it must have been a century ago.

Accommodation: Katavi National Park Bandas

Where to stay

Day 6: Katavi National Park

After breakfast, you will depart on full-day game drive in Katavi, which is one of Tanzania’s best dry-season parks. It features big prides of lions plundering spectacular buffalo herds and is one of the most pristine and rugged nature reserves in Tanzania.

Accommodation: Katavi National Park Bandas

Where to stay

Day 7: Katavi National Park

This will be another stunning day in Katavi. You’ll have the option to go on an early morning game drive before breakfast before returning to the bandas for some leisure time. You’ll then go on another game drive until the evening. You can also opt to spend the full day on a game drive.

Accommodation: Katavi National Park Bandas

Where to stay

Day 8: Road Transfer from Katavi to Lake Tanganyika

On your last day in Katavi you go on a game drive en route to Lake Tanganyika beach. You’ll arrive here as a guest but leave as a friend. The beautiful Lake Shore Lodge features beautiful chalets built right at the water’s edge. Magic, adventure, and relaxation can all be found here.

Accommodation: Lake Shore Lodge

Where to stay

Day 9: Lake Tanganyika Beach

Lake Tanganyika is a place of paradise, where your days can be as action-packed or as relaxed as you want. You can go on an underwater exploration, adventure safari, partake in water sports, swim, or participate in a wellness retreat that will leave you feeling completely rejuvenated.

Accommodation: Lake Shore Lodge

Where to stay

Day 10: Lake Tanganyika Beach

Lake Tanganyika feels like the biggest freshwater aquarium on earth, where there are hundreds of cichlid fish and unique small birds all around you. Activities on offer here include scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, culture walking, mountain biking, and bird watching.

Accommodation: Lake Shore Lodge

Where to stay

Day 11: Driven from Lake Tanganyika to Mbeya

Today you will enjoy one last breakfast on the shores of Lake Tanganyika before driving to Mbeya. You’ll make some short stops for several village tours and landscape viewing at the Tunduma border before continuing to the Mbozi meteorite site. Dinner and your overnight stay will be at the lodge.

Accommodation: Hotel Desderia

Where to stay

Day 12: Mbeya

After breakfast, you will go on a full-day, guided nature walk of Mbeya. You’ll visit the Ngozi crater lake, local markets, coffee plantations, the Songwe bat caves, and the Kijungu and Kaporongwe waterfalls. We hope you enjoy this slice of rural Tanzaninian life.

Accommodation: Hotel Desderia

Where to stay

Day 13: Driven from Mbeya to Kitulo National Park

After an early breakfast in Mbeya, you will drive to Kitulo National Park. Known locally as “God’s Garden,“ Kitulo provide one of the world’s great floral spectacles in the spring. It is a popular destination for walking, hiking, birdwatching, and game drives. Later you will continue to the Mafinga highlands, where you’ll spend the evening at your leisure.

Accommodation: The Old Farm House

Where to stay

Day 14: Driven from Highlands to Ruaha National Park

After the breakfast, you will drive to Ruaha via Iringa town. You’ll eat lunch at a local restaurant and go on a game drive en route to your lodge. You’ll have the chance to see elephants, giraffes, kudu, lions, leopard, jackal, hyenas, African wild dog and many more.

Accommodation: Ruaha Hilltop Lodge

Where to stay

Day 15: Ruaha National Park

You’ll spend the full day in Ruaha National Park on a game drive. Ruaha features an untouched and mostly unexplored ecosystem, which makes for a unique safari. It is the second largest park in Tanzania and of the few wilderness areas in the country where one can experience rare wildness sightings alongside a truly fascinating landscape. It is the home of the greater kudu, which cannot be found in any other park.

Accommodation: Ruaha Hilltop Lodge

Where to stay

Day 16: Ruaha National Park

After breakfast, you will go on a full day game drive in Ruaha. Almost as large than the Serengeti, this park’s untouched nature makes it one of Tanzania’s most exciting game reserves. It is a birdwatchers’ paradise, with 350 different species of birds calling the park home. Wildlife is concentrated along the Great Ruaha River. The river shore is the permanent hunting ground for lion, leopard, jackal, hyenas, and African wild dog.

Accommodation: Camp Bastian Mikumi

Where to stay

Day 17: Mikumi National Park

After an early breakfast, you will depart on a morning game drive in Ruaha en route to the exit. You’ll eat a hot lunch at a local restaurant in Iringa, then continue to Mikumi. Along the way you’ll pass through farms, valleys, and villages featuring excellent views of the landscape and the Great Rift Valley. As you make your way into Mikumi National Park you’ll see elephants, giraffes, lions, leopard, jackal, and hyenas.

Accommodation: Camp Bastian Mikumi

Where to stay

Day 18: Mikumi National Park

This morning you’ll eat breakfast at your leisure (there is no rush) before departing on a full day game drive in Mikumi National Park. You’ll eat a picnic lunch in the park around midday. While here you will have the opportunity to view the unique Mikumi giraffe that naturalists say seems to be a cross breed between the reticulated and Maasai giraffes.

Lion, elephant, buffalo, wildebeest, and leopard can be easily spotted in this park. Your game drive will also take you around to the hippo pool. You will be able to see elephants coming to drink at the water hole.

Accommodation: Camp Bastian Mikumi

Where to stay

Day 19: Dar es Salaam

After breakfast, you will be driving back to Dar es Salaam and the airport for your journey home. You’ll eat a farewell dinner before arriving at the airport. You have the option to fly from Mikumi to Dar es Salaam or to Zanzibar upon request.

Main Destination: Dar Es Salaam Airport (Dar es Salaam)

Rates Per Person

Start Dates 2 people 1 room 3 people 2 rooms 4 people 2 rooms 5 people 3 rooms 6 people 3 rooms
Jan 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025
$6,800
$6,023
$5,561
$5,280
$5,104

Safari/Trip

Inclusions & Exclusions

Inclusions

Park fees (For non-residents)

All activities (Unless labeled as optional)

All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)

A professional driver/guide

All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)

All Taxes/VAT

Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)

Drinking water

Exclusions

International flights (From/to home)

Roundtrip airport transfer

Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour

Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)

Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)

Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees

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