WESTERN TANZANIA SAFARI 2018 KATAVI NATIONAL PARK & CHIMPANZEE TRACKING IN MAHALE MOUNTAINS A week s safari in one of the most remote regions of Africa includes 3 nights in the vast and wild Katavi National Park and 4 nights on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. Katavi is known for it wildness, huge pods of hippos and numbers of crocodiles concentrated in the shrinking rivers, wild elephants and massive herds of Cape buffalo, and large prides of lions. Mahale Mountains is known for its beauty, and of course one of life s magical moments must be spending an unforgettable hour with wild chimpanzees. 8-DAY ITINERARY (JUNE-OCTOBER) Key to meals included - B=Breakfast, L = Lunch, D=Dinner Day 1 Fly from Arusha to Chada Camp (3½ hours flight) in Katavi National Park L,D Days 2&3 Enjoy another 2 nights at Chada Camp B,L,D Days 4-7 Fly (1 hour) and dhow (boat) ride (1½ hours) to Greystoke Camp in Mahale Mountains National Park for 4 nights B,L,D Day 8 Last day - fly to Manyara (3½ hours flight), Tarangire or Arusha B End of Safari - or continue in Northern Tanzania...
KATAVI NATIONAL PARK Katavi is one of the most wild and remote national parks in Tanzania, and as a result it is visited by few people. This is purely due to its remote location, and is not because of its wildlife attractions, which can be phenomenal. The park is renowned for huge herds of Cape buffalo and pods of hippos which become densely packed into the Katuma River in the dry season. Katavi is Tanzania s third largest national park, and covers an area of 4,471 sq km (1,727 sq miles). The park is only 1 hours flight from the equally isolated Mahale Mountains National Park. The core of Katavi are its flood plains - Ngolema, Katisunga, Katavi and Chada - which are wet swamps in the green season, and vast grasslands and marsh areas in the dry season. These wet areas are the perfect refuge for Bohor reedbuck. They are connected by seasonal rivers which become a focal centre for wildlife in the dry season, as water becomes scarce. In the late dry season thousands of hippos fill the remaining rivers, and crocodiles are forced to seek shelter in caves and pools. Meanwhile huge herds of elephant and buffalo visit these sources of water daily. Nearby waterbuck feed on the grasses, and impala abound in the woodland. Roan antelope are also sometimes seen. Naturally predators such as hyaena and lion are never far. In the plains cheetah may be found, and at any time a lucky visitor may encounter wild dog, one of the rarest African predators. On hot days it is not unusual to find lions relaxing in trees for shade and to take advantage of the breeze.
CHADA CAMP Chada Camp is situated in the shade of some Acacia Albida trees overlooking the Chada floodplain. The main area consists of a dining and lounge tent which also houses the small library. This faces onto a clearing with the fireplace, where we can enjoy sundowners in the early evenings. The camp has only 6 tents, raised up on wooden platforms, and looking through the woodland and towards the edge of the Chada flood plain. The en-suite bathrooms are at the side, also on platforms, with eco-flush loos, and safari-style bucket showers. Hot & cold water can be supplied to your washbasin or for showers on request. The sense of being in a remote wild area is very special at Katavi National Park. ACTIVITIES Aside from game drives, it is possible to go for short bush walks, or a longer hike combined with a night out staying in a fly camp, while being mesmerised by a star-lit sky and the rhythmic call of a nightjar. A night drive is also possible.
MAHALE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK Nestled on the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika, this park has no roads and is accessible only first by air, then boat. The flight from Arusha to Mahale takes approximately 4 hours, including a refuelling stop, and we then board a dhow (Arab style sailing boat) for the one-hour journey down the lake to the camp. Camp is set nestled in the forest, overlooking the deep blue waters of the lake. Upon arrival we will most likely relax on the sandy shores of the lake, soaking up the tranquility of the scene, and the atmosphere of camp. The unspoiled forest of Mahale is sanctuary to over a thousand chimpanzees, as well as more than fifty species of other animals. The primates include red colobus, black and white (Angolan) colobus, savannah, red-tailed and Sykes monkeys, yellow baboon and two species of galago - in addition to the chimps. While enjoying the relaxing atmosphere and delicious food in camp, we track the chimpanzees at our own pace. The camp arranges for a National Park ranger to accompany us as we search and listen for the chimpanzees. They could be high in the forest, involving some strenuous hiking through primaeval forest to reach them, or they could be down by the lake and near camp. Much depends on the abundance and location of fruiting trees. While most visitors encounter the chimpanzees, a sighting is not guaranteed. When we find them we may stay and observe them for up to one hour before heading back to camp. The lake is the second deepest lake in the world. We could also go for walks nearby enjoying the varied birdlife, or simply relax on the beach or in camp. GREYSTOKE MAHALE CAMP There are only six guest cottages at Greystoke Mahale camp, each with an adjoining shower and loo. They are subtly hidden in the forest overlooking a white sandy beach and the crystal clear waters of Lake Tanganyika. The dining tent is an elaborate structure - airy, with high ceilings, situated on the beach, and is the main focus of the camp. There is also another bar situated on a small rocky promontory reaching out into the lake. Splendid views from there reach back across the beach and high up into the forested mountains - the home of the wild chimpanzees. Every morning, trackers go out early to find the chimp's whereabouts, then after breakfast we can head off along the forest paths until we are surrounded by their calls. For an hour, we sit quietly with them watching their daily life; grooming, wrestling, bickering, foraging, eating, and mothering. Then we return through the forest to our camp on the beach.
ACTIVITIES AT MAHALE MOUNTAINS The activities shown in bold type are possible. Activities shown in italics may be possible if requested before finalizing the itinerary, and with prior planning. Chimpanzee tracking, forest walks, dhow excursions on the lake, catch & release fishing, kayaking, hiking, limited swimming only in designated areas. CHIMPANZEE TRACKING (min age 12 years) Chimp tracking is done initially on foot or by boat to the nearest starting point, and thereafter on foot. The hiking may be easy or considerably strenuous, involving steep ascents and descents on forest trails, often without switchbacks. The chimp tracking party is accompanied by an expert Tanzania National Parks tracker and a local guide from the camp. When we get near the chimps it may be necessary for the tracker to hack a trail through thick undergrowth. Visits are exclusively for those guests staying in guest accommodation at the few camps and lodges (2 or 3) in the park, and are strictly limited to one hour with the chimpanzees. While in the vicinity of the chimps we wear face masks to protect the chimps from diseases transmissible by humans. Participants must be 12 years or older. If you have an obvious illness such as a common cold, you may NOT track the chimps. Due to the limited number of trackers and park officials, it may be necessary to combine your party with another from camp. Furthermore if (due to your budget or late booking) your A Step Ahead guide is not staying in full paying guest accommodation, there is no guarantee that he will be able to accompany you on chimpanzee tracks. CLIMATE TEMPERATURE Maximum temperatures in June - Aug of 28 C (82 F ) in Sept & Oct of 31 C (89 F ) Minimum temperatures in June - Aug of 17 C (62 F) the rest of the year 20 C (68 F ) RAINFALL Average number of days per month with some rainfall June - September - 3 or 4 days
COST OF THE ABOVE 8-DAY WESTERN TANZANIA SAFARI IN 2018 1a) A STEP AHEAD GUIDE THROUGHOUT - PRIVATE ACTIVITIES & VEHICLE AT KATAVI (NORMAL SEASON - JULY TO OCTOBER) Number of guests 2 4 6 8 10 WITH A STEP AHEAD GUIDE $16,380 $12,150 $10,520 $9,990 $9,620 1b) CAMP GUIDE & SHARED ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT (NORMAL SEASON - JULY-OCT) PER PERSON IF SHARING A TENT $7,940 2. SCHEDULED FLIGHTS (Cost approximate and liable to increase due to currency and fuel cost fluctuations) Scheduled flights in a 10-20 seater light aircraft with maximum 15kg total luggage from and back to:- Arusha - $2,200 per person NOTES: 1. Mid season is June and 1-15 November and costs available on request. 2. There are discounts for children so please let us know if you will have children in your group and we can do a customised quotation. 3. Children under 12 are not allowed to track chimps in Mahale. INCLUDED / NOT INCLUDED Included in the above safari cost: Guide services and private or shared activities depend on option selected. If option a) services of a professional A Step Ahead guide throughout the safari, and private vehicle and private activities in Katavi (activities at Mahale may be shared); if option b) local guide in each camp and shared vehicle and activities with other guests. Transport in Katavi is custom open-sided 4x4 safari vehicle; transport in Mahale by boats powered by an outboard motor or a motorized dhow to / from the airstrip to camp and to facilitate chimp tracks by getting to the nearest anticipated starting point; accommodation in twin-bedded room on full board; laundry service from on Days 2-7 (except move days); soft and alcoholic drinks (except premium brands); Tanzania national park tracker and a trained guide from the camp in Mahale accompanies each chimpanzee track, 1 days fishing permit in Mahale and 1 night drive in Katavi per client; 1 night flycamping in Katavi; Flying Doctor membership (covers air evacuation to Nairobi Hospital in an emergency). Not included in the above safari price: Items of a personal nature (e.g. visas, airport taxes, telephone or fax services, massages, internet services etc.); premium brand alcoholic drinks, any drinks or room extras on the last day; medical or hospitalization costs in the event of illness or emergency; any kind of insurance; international flights; extra fishing permits, night drives or other activities; any regional flights (please see separate cost above); gratuities. PLEASE NOTE THAT PARK FEES ARE AT THE MERCY OF TANAPA (TANZANIA NATIONAL PARKS) AND ARE LIABLE TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. A SUDDEN CHANGE IN PARK FEES COULD RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN THE COST OF THIS SAFARI. PLEASE SEE OUR TERMS & CONDITIONS (2017) DOCUMENT FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON TERMS AND INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
YOUR A STEP AHEAD GUIDE An A Step Ahead guide will lead your safari IF you choose Option 1a (see costs). Our guides are keen and passionate bush professionals, who guide safaris because they absolutely love being in nature and helping their guests understand the world they cherish. They are mostly all-rounders, expert at the many varied fields a guide should know about, and are not limited to one field. They have experience traveling and being in the bush in many different countries in Africa and so are able to offer a broad view on most things. They are involved in designing custom itineraries for our guests. They compliment and work well with the locally based guides in the various countries or camps, and they ensure continuity and are good at adding special touches to a safari to make sure you have an amazing safari experience. Invariably once on safari with one of our A Step Ahead professional guides, our guests will recommend no other to their friends back home! That is the greatest tribute they give them.