Mahale & Katavi: Remote Tanzania 2026
A Customizable Trip to Tanzania — 9 Days / 8 Nights
Highlights
Mahale & Katavi: Remote Tanzania 2026 ideal for night game drives, fishing and boat safaris.
About this Safari
Experience two diverse ecosystems in Tanzania, the truly remote and less frequently visited Katavi National Park with flotillas of pelicans, rivers and seasonal lakes. This park boasts a wonderful array of habitats, which range from flood plains of thick reeds and dense waterways that teem with hippo and crocodile to woodlands, open grasslands, forests and pristine seasonal lakes.
Total cost of tour – 2026
04 Jan – 28 Feb & 01 Nov – 19 Dec – $8,084
01 Jun – 31 Oct & 20 – 31 Dec – $9,416
Rates
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge
On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by our representative and driver guide and transferred to…
Day 2 – 4: – Mbali Mbali Katavi
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Arusha Airport for your charter flight to Katavi National Park
Fly to Katavi
On arrival, you will be met by your Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge safari guide and…
Day 5 – 8: Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge, Mahale National Park
After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your charter flight to Mahale National Park
Fly to Mahale
On arrival, you will be met by your …
Day 9: Departure
After breakfast, checkout and transfer to the airstrip for your charter flight to Arusha Airport
Fly to Arusha
Our guest representative and driver guide will …
This is a condensed overview of the journey.
Request the full itineraryInclusions & Notes
Details of Costs
This cost includes:
- Bed & breakfast accommodation at Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge
- Full board accommodation at Mbali Mbali Katavi & Mbali Mbali Mahale
- Three complimentary beverages while dining (soft drinks, beer, house wines & selected spirit) at Mbali Mbali Katavi & Mbali Mbali Mahale
- Shanga Tour at Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge
- Safari activities including shared scheduled day game drives at Mbali Mbali Katavi
- One chimpanzee trek per person per day, one boat safari per stay and kayaking at Mbali Mbali Mahale
- Park/concession/camping fees and Tourism Development Levy
- Scheduled shared charter flights and domestic flight departure tax
- AMREF Flying Doctors Membership
- Airport and airstrip transfers
- Laundry and all statutory taxes
This cost does not include:
- Additional meals and drinks at Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge
- Additional drinks at Mbali Mbali Katavi & Mbali Mbali Mahale
- Additional activities not mentioned in inclusions
- Exclusive use of vehicle at Mbali Mbali Katavi
- All statutory increases beyond our control
- International flights and additional visa fees
- Gratuities and items of a personal nature
- Any other extras
Notes
- There are no Green Season rates as Mbali Mbali Mahale is closed 01 Mar – 31 May 2026
- This itinerary utilises the Mbali Mbali Shared Charter services departing from Arusha, Tanzania which operates on Mondays and Thursdays on inducement of a minimum of 4 seats per sector
- Mbali Mbali Shared Charter is Arusha – Northern Tanzania (Kilimanjaro, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Manyara), Katavi, Mahale, Kigoma and returning to Arusha via Northern Tanzania (routes and timings may vary)
- Chimpanzee trekking is permitted for children aged 12 years and older
- A 10% circuit discount has been applied for 5+ nights at Mbali Mbali properties
- There is a baggage restriction of 15 kgs on all internal flights, in soft bags.
Tour Accommodation
Map
Best Months to Visit
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Questions about this remote Tanzania safari
What is Katavi National Park like?
Remote and rarely visited, which is the point of including it. The park runs from flood plains of thick reeds and dense waterways teeming with hippo and crocodile through to woodlands, open grasslands, forests and seasonal lakes, with flotillas of pelicans on the water. The range of habitats in one park is unusual, and you will share it with very few other guests.
How much chimpanzee trekking is included at Mahale?
One chimpanzee trek per person per day during your stay at Mbali Mbali Mahale, along with one boat safari per stay and kayaking on Lake Tanganyika. Mahale is the second half of the trip, following the Katavi leg, and you have four nights there, which gives several chances at the chimpanzees rather than pinning everything on one morning.
Which months can we travel?
May to November is the prime window. There are no green season rates because Mbali Mbali Mahale closes from 1 March to 31 May 2026. January and February are workable, and December is good. Pricing runs at US$8,084 per person sharing for 4 January to 28 February and 1 November to 19 December, and US$9,416 for 1 June to 31 October and 20 to 31 December.
How do we get to these two parks?
By air from Arusha, using the Mbali Mbali Shared Charter, which operates on Mondays and Thursdays subject to a minimum of four seats per sector. The routing covers northern Tanzania, Katavi, Mahale and Kigoma before returning, and timings can vary. There is a 15 kilogram baggage limit on internal flights, in soft bags.
Can children join this trip?
Chimpanzee trekking is permitted for children aged 12 and over, so the Mahale section sets the age floor for a family booking. The trip opens with a night at Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge on bed and breakfast, then full board at both Mbali Mbali camps. A 10 per cent circuit discount has been applied for five or more nights at Mbali Mbali properties.