17-Day Chimpanzee & Big Game Safari

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park (Selous)
Your adventure begins early in the morning as your Safari Moja Matata guide picks you up from your hotel or the airport in Dar es Salaam. Depart for Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve), a scenic drive of approximately 5–6 hours, with a picnic lunch en route.

Upon arrival, settle into your lodge and enjoy some time to relax. Later in the afternoon, embark on a sunset boat safari along the Rufiji River one of the park’s highlights. Watch elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and colorful birds as the sun dips below the horizon.

Overnight: Mloka Safari Lodge
Evening Guide Session: Meet your guide for a relaxed evening chat about the day’s experience and a detailed briefing on tomorrow’s full-day game drive in the vast plains of Nyerere National Park.
Main Destination: Nyerere National Park

Day 2: Game Drive in Nyerere
After an early breakfast, depart with your packed lunch for a full day exploring Nyerere National Park, famous for its untamed wilderness and incredible diversity of wildlife. Traverse open woodlands, riverbanks, and grass plains in search of lions, giraffes, wild dogs, buffalo, and elephants.

Pause for a scenic bush lunch under the shade of acacia trees before continuing your afternoon exploration through new habitats and watering holes where predators and prey often meet. Return to the lodge in the late afternoon for relaxation and dinner.
Dinner and overnight at Mloka Safari Lodge.
Evening Guide Session: Gather with your guide to share stories of the day’s sightings and receive a briefing about the following day’s Bushmen walking safari and the long scenic drive to Mikumi.
Main Destination: Nyerere National Park

Day 3: Bush Walking Safari to Mikumi National Park
Start your day early with breakfast, then at 06:30 am join the Bushmen walking safari, a cultural journey that immerses you in the traditions, skills, and stories of the local people living near Nyerere National Park. Learn about their hunting methods, medicinal plants, and harmony with nature.

At 09:00 am, begin your drive to Mikumi, passing through local villages and small towns with scenic views of rural Tanzania. Lunch will be enjoyed en route. Arrive at Mikumi Bastian Camp for dinner and overnight.

Evening Guide Session: Gather with your guide to review the day’s experience, share insights about Tanzanian culture, and receive a short briefing about the next day’s game drive inside Mikumi National Park.
Main Destination: Mloka (Town)

Day 4: Game Drive in Mikumi & Transfer to Iringa
After an early breakfast, enter Mikumi National Park for a morning game drive across the famous Mkata floodplain, a haven for elephants, lions, wildebeests, zebras, giraffes, and colorful birdlife. Capture the beauty of the open savannah and observe animal interactions up close.

Return to camp around 12:00 noon for a hot lunch, then drive to Iringa for an overnight stay at Iringa Sunset View Lodge. Enjoy panoramic views of the highlands as you unwind after a scenic day.

Evening Guide Session: Relax as your guide discusses the highlights of Mikumi, reviews species spotted, and briefs you about the journey ahead to Ruaha—the land of giants and dramatic wilderness.
Main Destination: Mikumi National Park

Day 5: Iringa to Ruaha National Park
After breakfast, depart Iringa for Ruaha National Park, a scenic 2–3 hour drive depending on road conditions. Enter the park and begin your first game drive across the vast landscapes of baobab-dotted savannah. Ruaha is famous for its huge elephant herds, prides of lions, and graceful kudu. You’ll stop for a picnic lunch by the river and continue the game drive till late afternoon.

Dinner and overnight at Ruaha Cottage.
Evening Guide Session: Your guide will brief you about the next day’s safari routes, wildlife behavior, and park safety tips to help you make the most of your time in Tanzania’s largest national park.
Main Destination: Ruaha National Park

Day 6: Game Drive in Ruaha + Night Safari
After breakfast, head out for a full-day game drive exploring Ruaha’s rugged wilderness. The park is home to over 10,000 elephants, large buffalo herds, and predators like leopards and cheetahs. With luck, you may spot the elusive African wild dog. Break for a hot lunch back at the lodge, followed by a short rest.

In the evening, embark on an optional night game drive—a rare chance to witness nocturnal animals such as civets, genets, and hyenas in action. Dinner and overnight at Ruaha Cottage.

Evening Guide Session: Gather around the bonfire as your guide shares insights from the day’s sightings and explains the unique nocturnal ecosystem before tomorrow’s journey to Mpanga Kipengele.
Main Destination: Ruaha National Park

Day 7: Ruaha to Mpanga Kipengele Waterfalls Game Reserve
Depart Ruaha and drive toward Mpanga Kipengele Waterfalls, a reserve with over 50 waterfalls. Arrive and check in at Kipengele Bandas, then visit Kimani Waterfalls for a refreshing swim, waterfall massage, and natural slides. Visit the nearby Chief Mkwawa Military Base to learn about local history. Enjoy dinner at the Kimani Mist Zone, listening to the sound of waterfalls, soft drinks, and Tanzanian wine.

Evening Guide Session: Sharing stories from Ruaha and preparing for the next day’s exploration.
Main Destination: Mpanga-Kipengere Game Reserve

Day 8: Explore Mpanga-Kipengele Waterfalls
Early departure for Katavi (approx. 4 hrs). Arrive and enjoy game drive in one of Tanzania’s most untouched parks. You may spot Cape buffalo herds, zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, and elephants. Also, along the Katuma River, crocodiles and hippopotamus which on annual dry seasons results in mud-holes that can be packed with hundreds of hippos. Carnivorous animals that roam this park are cheetahs, hyenas, leopards, and lions. Dinner and your overnight stay will be in the park at Katavi Banda.

Evening Guide Session: Gather around the bonfire for storytelling and stargazing. Your guide shares insights about the reserve’s ecology, local legends, and tomorrow’s long journey toward Sumbawanga.
Main Destination: Mpanga-Kipengere Game Reserve

Day 9: Drive to Sumbawanga via Tunduma
After breakfast, begin your long scenic drive toward Sumbawanga, passing through rolling highlands, local villages, and the bustling border town of Tunduma, which connects Tanzania and Zambia. Along the way, enjoy views of farmlands and glimpses of everyday rural life. Stop for lunch en route before continuing your journey across the Southern Highlands.

Arrive in Sumbawanga around 16:00 and check in at Country Hotel for dinner and rest after a long travel day.

Evening Guide Session: Relax as your guide reviews the route ahead, shares insights about the western region’s culture and landscapes, and outlines the next day’s transfer to Katavi National Park.
Main Destination: Sumbawanga (City)

Day 10: Sumbawanga to Katavi National Park
After breakfast at 08:30 am, drive to Katavi National Park, one of Tanzania’s most remote and pristine wildlife areas. Enjoy a scenic game drive en route as you approach the park, passing through vast plains and woodlands teeming with wildlife. Upon arrival, complete registration at the park headquarters and check in at Katavi Banda for a hot lunch and some rest.

At 17:30, head out for an evening game drive along the River—an ideal time to watch giraffe, waterbuck, elephants, hippos, and large buffalo herds gathering at the water before sunset.

Dinner and overnight at: Katavi Bandas.
Evening Guide Session: Your guide will recap the day’s sightings, share stories about Katavi’s wildlife behavior, and brief you on the next day’s full exploration inside the park.
Main Destination: Katavi National Park

Day 11: Game Drive in Katavi
Spend the entire day exploring the untouched wilderness of Katavi National Park—one of Tanzania’s most remote and least-visited gems. The park is home to enormous herds of buffalo, elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and prides of lions. During the dry season, the Katuma River attracts wildlife in dramatic numbers, creating unforgettable scenes of survival. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the wild, continue your afternoon game drive, and return by sunset for dinner and relaxation at Katavi Bandas.

Main Destination: Katavi National Park

Day 12: Game Drive in Katavi & Transfer to Mpanda
Spend the morning enjoying one last game drive in the wild plains of Katavi home to large herds of buffao, elephants, and dramatic predator action. After lunch, depart for a drive to Mpanda town where you'll overnight and prepare for the journey to Mahale.

Check in at Lilisha Executive Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Evening Guide Session: Discussion and preparation for the next day’s long scenic drive to Mahale.
Main Destination: Katavi National Park

Day 13: Scenic Drive from Mpanda to Mahale Mountains National Park
After an early breakfast in Mpanda, begin your long scenic drive (approx. 8–9 hours) towards Mahale Mountains National Park. The journey passes through Ifukutwa Village, then continues along the route to Mwese Forest Reserve, where you’ll turn right onto a rough road that winds through small villages, farmlands, and forested hills. Proceed through Likoma and continue to the final village of Katumbi, where you’ll reach Bilenge – the park headquarters of Mahale.

After registration at Bilenge, board a boat transfer (30–40 minutes) across the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tanganyika to Kasiha Banda, beautifully located at the foot of the Mahale Mountains. Dinner and overnight at Kasiha Banda.

Guide’s Evening Session: A dedicated chimpanzee guide-ranger will give a full briefing on the next day’s chimp tracking procedures, safety guidelines, and park etiquette.
Main Destination: Mahale Mountains National Park (Chimps)

Day 14: Mahale Chimpanzee Tracking
After breakfast, begin your first guided chimpanzee tracking with your professional guide. Track the Mimikire group, one of Africa’s best-habituated chimp communities, deep in the Mahale forest. After hot lunch afternoon at leisure or optional of Kayaking on the clear waters of Lake Tanganyika.

Evening walk to Kasiha Water Pool for a refreshing swim in a natural spring. Dinner and overnight at Kasiha Banda.

Guide’s Evening Session: Recap chimp behavior, conservation challenges, and memorable encounters.
Main Destination: Mahale Mountains National Park (Chimps)

Day 15: Chimp Track & Sunset Boat Safari – Mahale
After breakfast, head into the forest for chimpanzee tracking with your professional guide, assisted by experienced trackers who follow the chimps’ movements. Spend time observing them in their natural habitat and learning about their behavior, social structures, and daily routines.

Return for lunch and rest at the bandas. In the late afternoon, enjoy a sunset boat cruise on Lake Tanganyika, with stunning views of the Mahale Mountains. Dinner and overnight at Kasiha Bandas.

Evening: Relax by the bonfire at Kasiha Beach, sharing stories and experiences from your journey while enjoying the peaceful lakeside atmosphere.
Guide’s Evening Session: Informal storytelling and reflections by the fire — celebrating the adventure so far and the spirit of Mahale.
Main Destination: Mahale Mountains National Park (Chimps)

Day 16: Mahale – Kigoma (Return)
After breakfast, take the boat back to Bilenge, then begin your scenic overland journey to Kigoma, passing through villages, farmland, and palm plantations. On the way, cross the Kajeje–Ilagala ferry before continuing to Kigoma.

Late Afternoon/Evening: Arrive in Kigoma and check in at Lake Tanganyika Hotel or similar. If time allows, enjoy a short guided walk around Kigoma town.

Guide’s Evening Session: Reflect on the entire safari experience, share memorable moments, and enjoy a relaxed storytelling session over dinner.
Main Destination: Kigoma (Town)

Day 17: Kigoma Fly to Dar es Salaam
Transfer to Kigoma Airport for scheduled flight to Dar at 08:30am.

Main Destination: Dar Es Salaam (City)
Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks: Meals at own expense, Drinks not included
End of tour (See Getting There for more details). Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost. You'll be dropped off at the airport.

Rates

Included

• Park fees (For non-residents)
• Chimp permits (Two per person, non-resident)
• All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
• All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
• A professional driver/guide
• All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
• All flights during the tour
• All Taxes/VAT
• Roundtrip airport transfer
• Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
• Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)

Excluded

• International flights (From/to home)
• Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
• Tips (Tipping guideline US$20.00 pp per day)
• Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
• Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
• Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)

Getting There

• This tour starts and ends in Dar Es Salaam
• Tanzania Destination Operators can help select your international flights, but you'll have to book them yourself
• Fly to/from Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR - Check price) in Dar es Salaam
• A transfer from and back to the airport is included
• Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost

Route Map