Katavi and Gombe Safari offer a unique and unforgettable experience for those looking to explore the untouched wilderness of Tanzania. Katavi National Park, one of the most remote and wild locations in the country, is known for its vast savannah plains and abundant wildlife. Visitors can witness large herds of elephants, buffalo, and antelope roaming freely in their natural habitat, as well as predators such as lions and leopards.

Gombe Stream National Park, on the other hand, is famous for its population of chimpanzees made famous by Jane Goodall’s groundbreaking research. Visitors can trek through lush forests to observe these intelligent primates in their natural habitat, and learn about their social dynamics and behaviors. The park also offers stunning views of Lake Tanganyika, one of the largest and deepest lakes in the world.

Both parks provide a truly off-the-beaten-path safari experience, with a focus on immersion in nature and wildlife conservation. Visitors can stay in luxurious tented camps and lodges, and enjoy guided game drives, boat safaris, and walking tours led by experienced guides. A Katavi and Gombe Safari is ideal for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts looking for a more intimate and authentic safari experience in Tanzania.

Planning Your Safari to Katavi and Gombe

Visiting these remote parks requires some planning, as access is more complicated than the more popular destinations in Tanzania.

Getting There

• Katavi National Park is most commonly accessed by chartered flights from Dar es Salaam, Arusha, or Mwanza. There are also scheduled flights to nearby airstrips.
• Gombe Stream National Park is accessible by boat from Kigoma. The boat ride offers stunning views of Lake Tanganyika and the lush hills surrounding Gombe.

Detail Katavi and Gombe Safari Itinerary

Day 1:  Fly Dar es Salaam to Mpanda

Fly Dar es Salaam to Mpanda on Air Tanzania which departs at 06:00 am and arrives Mpanda at 07:45 am then meet and transfer to Katavi National park for game drives. Dinner and overnight at Katavi Wildlife Camp.

Day 2 – 3: Katavi National Park

Spend two days exploring the wilderness of Katavi National Park on game drives and walking safari. The park boasts a breathtaking 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. Game drive experience in dry season and it is conducted along the banks of the river which act as the main source of water and remaining green pastures. The picturesque view of the river meander and large number animals along its banks offers an awesome game viewing experience. Predators such as lions, hyenas, leopards can easily spotted. In addition to that you will also participate on sunrise walking safari near the water pods and watch hippos and other wildlife at close range; late morning break for brunch. Proceed with afternoon game drive safari to Katavi’s inner side. Overnight at Katavi Wildlife Camp.

Day 4: Katavi  to Kigoma

After breakfast, continue with your katavi and gombe safari by road to Kigoma town the journey of about 297 kilometers through unpaved road which pass along the shore of Lake Tanganyika. Along the way you will see local villages and experience the local Tanzania life. Arrive Kigoma in the afternoon and for a rest dinner and overnight at Lake Tanganyika Hotel.

Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking at Gombe National Park

Early morning catch up a boat to Gombe with picnic lunch. Arrive Gombe and proceed with chimpanzee tracking in the forest and bird watching. The ranger will help you spot several families of chimpanzee which you will spend sufficient time with them exploring their behaviour and if luck you will see them hunting. During trekking you will see primates such as olive baboons and a variety of monkeys. The stunning kakombe waterfall is another interesting feature that you will at Gombe National park. Dinner and overnight Gombe Rest House.

Day 6: Gombe to Kigoma

Morning chimpanzee tracking back for lunch in rest house, then take a boat ride back to Kigoma for overnight at Lake Tanganyika Hotel.

Day 7: Fly Kigoma to Dar es Salaam

Leisure breakfast at the hotel, Visit the Dr Livingstone Museum at Ujiji then back to the hotel for lunch and at 02:00 am drive to the airport for the flight to Dar es Salaam which departs at 15:45 pm.

End of Katavi and Gombe Safari

Katavi and Gombe Safari Cost Includes

Game viewing activities
Park entrance fees
Full board accommodation whilst on safari
Ranger and guide
Road Transfer from Katavi to Kigoma
BB accommodation in Mpanda and Kigoma

Cost Excludes

Any expenses of the personal nature
Laundry services in the lodges
Drinks and beverages
Flying doctors service

Katavi Safari: A 3-day safari in Katavi National Park offers an immersive experience in the heart of Africa’s untouched wilderness. It is a place where wildlife gracefully roams, and the landscapes exude a timeless allure. For those seeking an escape from the beaten path, a Katavi safari provides a sanctuary that embodies the spirit of adventure. It stands as a testament to the raw beauty of Tanzania and serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving these wild spaces for future generations.

This 3-day Katavi Safari offers a diverse and rewarding game viewing experience, driving along rivers teeming with crocodiles, seasonal lakes, and plains inhabited by an abundance of game animals. Katavi National Park boasts an exceptional volume of wildlife, surpassing many other Tanzanian parks. Research supports that Katavi has a higher concentration of animals than the renowned Ngorongoro crater. Despite its wealth of wildlife, Katavi receives a limited number of visitors, making it an ideal destination for a honeymoon safari.

While on game drive during this 3 days katavi safari you will encounter large prides of lions, immense herds of buffalo, and gatherings of hippos and crocodiles unlike anywhere else in Africa. Other frequently spotted animals in Katavi include zebras, topis, giraffes, leopards, hyenas, and waterbucks. The rare African wild dog is also occasionally seen in the park.

While the cost of a Katavi Safari may be higher compared to northern Tanzania safari destinations, it is precisely this reason that attracts fewer travelers, resulting in an uncrowded experience unlike the popular parks in the north. Additionally, there are a limited number of accommodation options available, providing quality lodging at a reasonable price.

Katavi – The Wildlife
Katavi stands out as one of the premier locations for witnessing thrilling buffalo and lion confrontations; game drives here can be incredibly intense! The park is also renowned for its vast populations of crocodiles and hippos—at its peak, the impressive hippo pool can host up to 600 hippos, and it’s unique in Africa for its crocodiles’ hibernation in dens. The wildlife in Katavi seems to defy conventional behavior patterns! Large herds of elephants, along with substantial numbers of zebras, giraffes, topis, leopards, waterbucks, hyenas, and the occasional wild dog, elevate this park to compete with some of the best safari experiences worldwide.

Katavi – The Activities
Daytime game drives are the primary activity in Katavi, as night safaris are not allowed. Some camps provide walking safaris, while Nomad Tanzania’s Chada Camp offers remarkable short fly camping excursions, allowing visitors to sleep under the stars.

Katavi – When to Go
Similar to the Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Park, Katavi is best experienced during the dry season, with wildlife viewing becoming increasingly rewarding as the year progresses. As the water sources and rivers begin to dry, animals descend from the surrounding highlands to congregate around the dwindling waterways, greatly enhancing the viewing experience. The peak season runs from July to October, although an increasing number of travelers are exploring Katavi during the off-months for a chance to enjoy the park with fewer crowds.

Katavi – Where to Stay
Nomad Tanzania’s Chada Camp is the most renowned and our favorite choice in the park. Featuring only six classic safari tents, it encapsulates the true spirit of a remote safari experience, with guiding and overall quality meeting the high standards associated with Nomad. Also, Foxes Katavi Wildlife Camp, despite being larger and less refined than Nomad, boasts one of the best locations in the park and has improved in recent years, offering a more budget-friendly alternative to Chada.

3 day Katavi Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Mpanda

Pick up from Mpanda Airport and transfer to Katavi national park for check in at Katavi Wildlife Camp where you will stay for the entire days. After a short break and breakfast you will then departs into the bush for a game drive exploring this pristine park. Dinner and overnight at the camp.

Day 2: Game viewing in Katavi

Breakfast in the lodge then depart for a full day game drive in Katavi National Park with picnic lunch. Katavi’s dramatic settings is as diverse as it is pristine. Several ponds and lakes are home to the largest population of hippo and varied birdlife. The western part of the reserve which its vegetation is mostly woodlands and bush veld is the best place to spot large herds of buffaloes and elephants. During the dry season the seasonal lakes remain as the source of water for the animals so it attracts animals from different corners of the park to come and drink. The Katavi national park is among the few places in Tanzania where you can see the rare roan and sable antelope species. With the help of your guide you will spot several species of predators include lions, leopard, hyena and more. Late afternoon drive out of the park for dinner and overnight at Katavi wildlife Camp.

Day 3: Game viewing in Katavi

Spend the morning and afternoon viewing the games in the park along the shallow lakes. During dry season animals tends to congregates near the lakes searching for green pastures and water. You will also spot hippos, crocodiles and different species of birds during the game drive. Evening drive back to the camp for dinner and overnight.

On the following day we will offer you a transfer to Mpanda airport for your flight back to Dar es Salaam.

Katavi Safari Tanzania Cost

Price Includes:

Park entry fees and Government Taxes

Air ticket Dar es Salaam – Mpanda – Dar es Salaam

Pick up from the Airport / Bus terminal

Transport in 4×4 modified Safari vehicle with pop up roof

Salary for a driver guide

Full board accommodation at Katavi Wildlife Camp 

Price excludes

International flights & Domestic flight

Fees for passport, visas, immunizations and insurance

Tips for staff such as driver cum guides/chef/porter

Expenses of personal nature (like souvenirs)