Popular Destinations

Our Destinations

Holiday Types

More Holiday Types

About

Our Content

Travelling Safely

When to Go

Best time to Go

All best time to visit guides

Hippo Pool, Chada Katavi, Katavi National Park, Tanzania

Mahale and Katavi

Although Livingstone and Speke crossed western Tanzania over a hundred years ago, it still remains one of the most unexplored regions of Africa.

Bordering Lake Tanganyika, are two of the most inaccessible parks in the continent – Gombe Stream National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park. Here, you can see and hear chimpanzees screaming in the forests. Behind the mountains, and in complete contrast to Mahale, lies Katavi, the forgotten park, which is dry and arid but excellent for seeing lions.

Chimpanzee, Mahale National Park, Tanzania — Mahale National Park, Tanzania

Safari

Wild West: Katavi and Mahale

9 days

from £8,395 pp

View holiday details

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Chada Katavi £££££

Tanzania
Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Chada Katavi is in the heart of Katavi National Park, said to be one of Africa’s best wildlife experiences. Filling the floor of the Rukwa Valley – a minor fault of the western great rift – the park spans over a million acres. From the blue escarpments, rivers run down through Tamarind, Fig and Albida forests to feed large floodplains. From its elevated vantage point on a peninsula that rises out of the miombo woodland, the camp is perfectly positioned for panoramic views over the grasslands of the floodplain. Chada Katavi offers shared open 4x4s and a dedicated guide for every group, plus there’s the flexibility of activities, game drives and walking with an armed guide.

View Property

Greystoke Mahale £££££

Tanzania
Safari and Wildlife Lodge

On a wide, golden beach along the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika, sheltered by the dense forests of the Mahale Mountains, stands the tiny sanctuary of Greystoke Mahale. This spectacular and isolated setting is home to the world’s largest known population of chimpanzees, with approximately 1000 individuals inhabiting the Mahale Mountains National Park – Greystoke Mahale is within hiking distance of the 60 strong M-group, one of the most habituated groups in the world. As a result, it is one of the world’s premier locations for observing and photographing these great apes.

View Property

More luxury accommodation

Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

View Profile

Illona Cross

Before joining Steppes Travel over 25 years ago, I spent a decade working as a ranger, guide and lodge manager across Southern and East Africa. It’s also deeply personal place for me: I got married in Africa, honeymooned in Africa and still return every year with my family – proof that my love for the continent runs far deeper than just professional experience.

Talk with our experts

01285 880 980

View Profile

Chris Johnston

Chris is the Conde Nast Traveller chosen Specialist for Madagascar, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.

Almost three decades ago, I set off for a three-month trip to Africa – and ended up staying for two years. Since then, I’ve led groups through Rwanda, Uganda and Malawi, and have been named a Specialist for Madagascar, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda by Condé Nast Traveller. This depth of knowledge and on-the-ground experience is something I bring to each tailor-made itinerary I create.

Talk with our experts

01285 880 980

Contact Us

Start planning your trip

01285 880 980

Send us an enquiry

Complete our enquiry form and start your next journey.

Review Contact Form

Where would you like to go?(Required)

Name(Required)

Title First Last

Phone(Required)

Email(Required)

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.

Are you ready to Discover Extraordinary?

More about Steppes