Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, a representative from Neste Uganda Safaris Ltd. will
warmly welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in Arusha. Nestled beneath Mount Meru, this
vibrant city is the jumping-off point for your Western Tanzania adventure. Spend the day relaxing at
your lodge or exploring Arusha’s local markets and coffee shops. Your safari guide will provide a detailed
briefing on the journey ahead, ensuring you are fully prepared for this rare and adventurous route.
Dinner and overnight in Arusha.

This morning, you’ll catch a scheduled charter flight to Katavi National Park, one of the most isolated
and least-visited parks in Africa. Katavi is known for its dramatic wildlife densities, especially during the
dry season, when water sources concentrate animals in staggering numbers. Upon arrival, you'll be
transferred to your lodge or tented camp and enjoy an afternoon game drive, where you may witness
herds of buffalo thousands strong, crocodiles clogging dry riverbeds, and elephants gathered at the last
remaining waterholes. Your camp tonight is deep in the wild—off-grid and far from civilization.

Today, you'll explore the heart of Katavi, a park famous for its untouched ecosystem and enormous
animal populations. Drive across floodplains and woodlands as you search for lion prides stalking
buffalo, leopards lounging in acacia trees, and giraffes browsing through thick bush. Katavi is also a
birdwatcher’s dream, with hundreds of species fluttering through its varied habitats. You’ll enjoy a picnic
lunch in the bush and continue game viewing until late afternoon. The sheer solitude and silence of this
place make it one of Tanzania’s most profound safari experiences.

After breakfast, venture out on a guided walking safari, led by expert rangers who will introduce you to
the small wonders of the bush—tracks, dung, medicinal plants, and the subtle signs of wildlife. Walking
in a park like Katavi is a thrilling, humbling experience. Later in the day, take another game drive,
perhaps focusing on riverine areas where hippos and crocs gather. Katavi’s wild nature ensures that
every drive feels spontaneous and unfiltered. Tonight, sleep under canvas in your tented camp and fall
asleep to the distant calls of lions and hyenas.

Start your day with one last morning game drive, soaking in the raw wilderness before saying farewell to
Katavi. You’ll then board a flight to Kigoma, and from there, continue by air or boat to Mahale
Mountains National Park, located along the shores of Lake Tanganyika. Upon arrival, take a short boat
transfer to your lodge, which is typically accessible only by water. The setting is surreal—mountains
rising steeply from the lake, with forested slopes teeming with life. Unwind with dinner by the lake,
listening to waves gently lapping the shore.

Today is the day you meet our closest living relatives in the wild. After breakfast, head into the Mahale
Mountains rainforest with expert trackers and guides who will lead you to a habituated group of wild
chimpanzees. Trekking can take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours depending on the chimps’ movements.
Once located, you’ll spend an unforgettable hour observing their behavior—grooming, foraging, playing,
and communicating in their natural environment. In the afternoon, return to camp and relax on the
private beach or go for a swim in crystal-clear Lake Tanganyika.

Embark on your second chimpanzee trek, often deeper into the forest for a new perspective and to
possibly see different members of the group. Each trek is unique, and your guides adapt to the chimps’
movements, maximizing your chances of another memorable encounter. After your trek, enjoy a
leisurely afternoon at your lodge. You can snorkel in the shallow waters, explore the shoreline, or simply
relax with a book in the dappled shade. The combination of forest, lake, and mountain scenery makes
Mahale one of the most visually stunning places in Africa.

Today is yours to explore at your own pace. Choose from a range of optional activities, such as kayaking
along the tranquil shoreline, fishing with local guides, or taking a short forest hike to nearby waterfalls
or scenic viewpoints. You may also opt to simply relax—Mahale is as much about slowing down and
absorbing the rhythm of nature as it is about activity. The water is safe, the air is clean, and the silence is
only broken by birdsong and the rustle of leaves.

After breakfast, take the boat back across Lake Tanganyika, followed by a flight that returns you to
Arusha via Kigoma. This marks the beginning of your return from the wild frontier of Western Tanzania.
Check into your lodge in Arusha and enjoy a relaxing evening. You can reflect on your experience—one
that only a small number of travelers ever have the chance to witness. This is true safari territory, far
removed from the ordinary.

Today is a flexible day depending on your preferences and energy level. You may opt for a day trip to
Arusha National Park, a beautiful spot at the base of Mount Meru with opportunities for walking safaris,
canoeing, and viewing giraffes and colobus monkeys. Alternatively, enjoy a leisurely day at the lodge,
treating yourself to a massage, swimming, or visiting a local craft market. It’s the perfect way to ease
back into the modern world before your departure.

After a relaxed morning and breakfast, your guide will transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport
for your international flight. Neste Uganda Safaris Ltd. will ensure everything goes smoothly, from
check-in assistance to last-minute souvenirs. Use this time for final reflections, perhaps jotting down
your favorite sightings or memories. This journey through Western Tanzania is more than just a trip—it’s
a rare opportunity to engage with nature in its purest form.

Today, you depart Tanzania with unforgettable stories of giant buffalo herds, intimate chimpanzee
encounters, and nights under the stars in Africa’s last great wildernesses. Thank you for choosing Neste
Uganda Safaris Ltd to guide your adventure.