2
Gnu Migrations & Chimps
Best Time: July to October
Experience Tanzania's Wild Heart.
DAYS
DESTINATIONS
GUESTS (MAX)
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Experience the wild side of Tanzania on a 14-day luxury safari to Katavi, Mahale and the Serengeti, combining remote wilderness, exceptional wildlife, chimpanzee trekking and the spectacular Great Migration. Designed for travelers seeking an exclusive and authentic Tanzania safari away from the busier northern circuit, this journey connects three remarkable destinations through carefully arranged internal flights and comfortable luxury accommodation.
Your adventure begins in Katavi National Park, one of Tanzania’s most remote and rewarding wilderness areas. Guided game drives traverse the vast Katuma floodplains, where buffalo herds, elephants, lions, hippos, and giraffes congregate around seasonal water sources. With an experienced safari guide, visitors can encounter elusive predators such as leopards and African wild dogs. Ihama Lodge offers an authentic western Tanzania safari experience, including spectacular sunset views across the floodplains.
Continue to Mahale Mountains National Park, a secluded paradise on the shores of Lake Tanganyika and one of Africa’s outstanding destinations for chimpanzee trekking. From Sokwe Luxury Lodge, venture into the forest with expert guides to track habituated chimpanzee families in their natural habitat. Between treks, enjoy the lake through swimming, snorkeling, sunset boat excursions, or cultural experiences with local fishing communities.
Serengeti National Park is reached in the final stage. The Mara River migration season typically runs from July to October for your safari. Spend three nights in the northern Serengeti. This places you near areas where wildebeest and zebra may gather. You may then observe dramatic Mara River crossings. River crossings are natural events and cannot be guaranteed, but the surrounding migration activity provides exceptional wildlife viewing.
Honeymooners will find this Katavi, Mahale and Serengeti safari ideal. It also appeals to wildlife photographers and primate enthusiasts. Travelers desiring a genuinely immersive luxury Tanzania safari will value it. The journey includes luxury accommodation and internal flights. It also covers park fees, game drives, and chimpanzee trekking. Additionally, you receive the services of experienced professional safari guides.
Fly from Dar es Salaam to Katavi National Park, one of the least-visited and most authentic safari destinations in Africa. Upon landing, a scenic game drive takes you through miombo woodlands and open floodplains teeming with buffalo, elephants, and giraffes. Your luxury tented suite at Ihama Lodge awaits—offering privacy and panoramic views of the Katuma River. Enjoy a freshly prepared bush dinner and settle into your first night immersed in raw wilderness. This is your gateway into an off-the-beaten-path Tanzania safari, ideal for travelers seeking exclusivity, adventure, and untamed nature in its purest form.
Meal: Lunch, Dinner Spend the day discovering Katavi’s untouched ecosystem on morning and afternoon game drives across the Katisunga floodplains. Massive herds of buffalo—sometimes over 1,000 strong—attract lions, hyenas, and leopards in thrilling predator-prey encounters. Spot hippos packed tightly into shrinking pools and crocs basking along the riverbanks. Between drives, relax at the lodge with sweeping bush views. Katavi’s isolation means you’ll rarely see another vehicle—just you, your guide, and the wild. This is the Katavi safari experience: pure, remote, and unforgettable. Return for sundowners around the campfire as the sounds of the wild take over the night.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Rise early for a walking safari in Katavi, guided by armed rangers. Learn the art of tracking animals through prints, dung, and bird calls as you explore the bush on foot. This intimate activity reveals details missed from a vehicle—tiny insects, medicinal plants, and the rhythm of life at ground level. After a hearty lunch back at camp, head out for a late afternoon game drive timed for golden-hour wildlife photography. Capture lions in soft light, elephants in dust trails, and sunlit savannahs. Another delicious dinner awaits at Lodge, under a canopy of stars.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Enjoy one final morning game drive in Katavi, seeking out any last elusive sightings—perhaps a leopard draped in a sausage tree or a herd of eland in flight. After brunch, board your bush plane for a spectacular flight over the Rift Valley to Mahale Mountains National Park, where rainforest meets lake. Arrive via boat transfer to the exclusive Kasekela Luxury Lodge, located on the untouched shoreline of Lake Tanganyika. Unwind with a sunset cruise, sipping cocktails as the sky turns crimson. This is the beginning of your Mahale chimpanzee safari and Lake Tanganyika experience.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Head into the lush rainforest for your first chimpanzee tracking Mahale experience. Guided by trackers who know each chimp by name, follow the calls and drumming of the troop deep into the forest. Witness these wild primates as they groom, feed, and swing overhead in their natural habitat. After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch, then spend your afternoon along the lake—snorkeling, kayaking, or simply relaxing on the golden beach. End the day with a gentle lakeshore tour by canoe, taking in the majestic backdrop of Mahale’s forested peaks.
Meal: - Your second day of chimpanzee trekking in Mahale Mountains increases your chance of intimate encounters. Follow a different troop or revisit familiar families, soaking in the magic of watching chimpanzees up close in one of the last true wildernesses. After lunch, explore Mahale’s rich biodiversity—spot red colobus, blue monkeys, and forest birds on short forest walks. Later, head out for a fishing tour with locals, learning traditional techniques as the sun begins to set over Lake Tanganyika. Return to Sokwe Lodge for a fire-lit dinner beside the lake, serenaded by the calls of the night.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 7 – This morning, enjoy a cultural experience with a guided village walk in Kalilani. Meet the local Tongwe people, visit a traditional homestead, and gain insight into daily life along Lake Tanganyika’s shores. After lunch, board your flight back to Katavi for a final evening safari. As the sun dips, predators stir—watch lions prepare to hunt and nocturnal creatures emerge from hiding. This is your last taste of the Katavi and Mahale tour, and a chance to reflect on the raw beauty of Western Tanzania. Overnight again at Ihama Lodge, with a farewell dinner under starlight.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner After a relaxing breakfast, fly from Katavi to Arusha via Dar es Salaam. Touch down in Arusha, Tanzania’s safari capital, and check into your overnight lodge. Enjoy a leisurely evening, preparing for the second leg of your journey into Northern Tanzania. Your guide will meet you for a safari briefing, and you can explore Arusha town, visit a local craft market, or simply unwind at your lodge. From chimpanzees and remote savannahs to the upcoming Big Five safari, your Serengeti safari continues tomorrow.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Begin your Northern circuit with a drive to Lake Manyara National Park, a gem nestled between the Great Rift escarpment and the alkaline lake. This compact park offers lush groundwater forests, acacia woodlands, and open plains teeming with wildlife. Look out for elephants, hippos, giraffes, and the park’s elusive tree-climbing lions. Stop at viewpoints over the lake where thousands of flamingos add vibrant color. After a rewarding game drive, enjoy a late lunch at your lodge and relax with views of the escarpment. This is a perfect introduction to the dramatic contrasts of the north.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Descend early into the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest unbroken caldera and a haven for over 25,000 animals. Keep your eyes peeled for black rhinos, golden jackals, and large prides of lions as you traverse this breathtaking natural amphitheater. Enjoy a bush picnic beside a hippo-filled pool and marvel at the sheer density of wildlife within this UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the afternoon, ascend to your lodge on the crater rim, where stunning views await. This is a highlight of your Walking safaris in Ngorongoro and wildlife adventure.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner After breakfast, journey to the Central Serengeti, entering the vast golden savannah that defines Africa’s most iconic park. Game drive en route to your luxury tented camp, passing through kopjes and valleys filled with zebra, wildebeest, and prowling big cats. The area is especially rich with lion, cheetah, and leopard, offering exceptional photography opportunities. Settle into camp and enjoy dinner under the stars, surrounded by the sounds of the wild.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Fly or drive to the Serengeti’s remote northern reaches near the Mara River, where the wildebeest migration surges through crocodile-infested waters. Spend the day tracking herds as they prepare to cross, and witness dramatic scenes of life and death that define this natural wonder. Your experienced guide will position you at key crossing points for the best chance to view the spectacle. Overnight in a luxury migration camp tucked into the wild, where the drama of the Serengeti continues after dark.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Spend your second day in the Mara River region, following the migration routes and predator action. Morning and afternoon game drives reveal new moments of intensity—lion hunts, river crossings, and scavengers at work. Enjoy lunch at camp before a sunset game drive and bush sundowners. Toast your journey with a final evening in one of the most thrilling safari regions on Earth. Reflect on the experience: from the forests of Mahale to the Mara River crossing in Serengeti, this has been the ultimate best safari combination from July to October.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner After breakfast and one last sunrise game drive, transfer to the nearby airstrip for your flight back to Arusha. Depending on your departure schedule, we can arrange a day room or transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport. For those extending their holiday, optional beach add-ons in Zanzibar are available. Your Katavi Mahale and Serengeti safari ends here—with unforgettable memories of chimps in the jungle, lions on the plains, and lakeside sunsets over Lake Tanganyika.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch Hand Selected for an Unmatched Experience
Location:
Ihama Lodge is an upscale safari retreat nestled on the banks of Katavi National Park’s Katuma River, just 800 m from Sitalike Gate. Guests enjoy prime wildlife viewing, with hippo pools and passing elephants, giraffes, and...
Location:
Sokwe Lodge – Lap of Luxury by Lake Tanganyika sits serenely on the shores of Lake Tanganyika in Mahale, offering an intimate retreat focused on comfort and conservation. With just three 50 sqm rooms featuring...
Location: Arusha
Welcome to Under the Shade Safari Lodge, your stylish retreat in Arusha, Tanzania. Located along Airport Road, our lodge offers easy access to Arusha’s city center, safari departure points, and nearby attractions, making it ideal...
Location: Lake Manyara National Park
Perched atop the Manyara Rift Valley escarpment, Moonbow Lodge offers stunning views over Lake Manyara National Park, flowing rivers, and lush wilderness. Just minutes from Manyara, Tarangire, and Ngorongoro, it’s the perfect hub for exploring...
Location: Ngorongoro Highland
Ngorongoro Forest Tented Lodge is a secluded retreat nestled within Tanzania's Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Strategically located near the Ngorongoro Crater and approximately 15 kilometers from Lake Manyara National Park, the lodge serves as an ideal...
Location: Arusha
Matawi Serengeti Camp: Set on the edge of Topi Hill in Seronera, it offers sweeping views across the endless plains of Serengeti National Park. This luxury tented camp blends authentic wilderness charm with comfort, featuring...
Location: Serengeti National Park - North
Situated on the edge of the Northern Serengeti wilderness, Kenzan Mara Tented Camp provides an ideal base for witnessing the Great Wildebeest Migration. The camp offers comfortable and stylish accommodations with en-suite bathrooms, luxurious bedding,...
Every safari is unique, expertly tailor-made by Calabash around your preferences, travel style, and desired experiences for a personal adventure.
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Below is a summary of what is included in this safari price. Contact us for the complete package details, including all inclusions and exclusions, tailored options, and any additional services available.
The prices listed below vary by season and travel dates. Contact us to create a safari around your preferred schedule, receive expert advice on the best time to visit, and secure the right itinerary, accommodation, and experiences with guidance from our safari consultant.
| People | Green Season (1st April to 31st March) |
Should Season (1st Nov - 14th Dec & March) |
Peak Season (1st Jun - 30 Oct & 15th Dec - 28th Feb) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2
|
Per Person
|
4620
|
4730
|
4780
|
|
4
|
Per Person
|
4590
|
4700
|
4720
|
|
5
|
Per Person
|
3580
|
3690
|
3712
|
|
6
|
Per Person
|
3577
|
3682
|
3709
|
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