10-Day Ruaha, Katavi & Mahale Safari
This 10-day itinerary offers an immersive experience through Tanzania’s premier wilderness destinations Ruaha, Katavi, and Mahale Mountains National Park. Begin your journey in Ruaha, the country’s largest national park, known for its impressive landscapes and diverse wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, and wild dogs. Continue to Katavi, a truly remote and exclusive park, where large herds of buffalo and elephant dominate the floodplains, and hippo concentrations are among the highest on the continent. Conclude your adventure in Mahale, a pristine, forested haven along Lake Tanganyika, renowned for its unique chimpanzee trekking opportunities. Efficient domestic flights ensure seamless travel between parks, providing both comfort and access to Tanzania’s most untamed regions.
Day 1: Dar es Salaam → Ruaha National Park
Depart Dar es Salaam by scheduled flight to Ruaha. Upon arrival, transfer to your lodge or tented camp, where you’ll enjoy lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight in Ruaha.
Day 2: Full-Day Game Drive in Ruaha
Spend the day exploring Ruaha National Park with a packed lunch provided. Ruaha is famous for its large predators, elephants, and diverse landscapes, making it an excellent location for wildlife viewing. Dinner and overnight in Ruaha.
Day 3: Continued Exploration of Ruaha
Enjoy both morning and afternoon game drives. Birdwatching opportunities abound, with over 570 species recorded in the park. Dinner and overnight in Ruaha.
Day 4: Ruaha → Katavi National Park
After breakfast, fly to Katavi. Transfer to your camp and, following lunch, embark on your first game drive across Katavi’s vast floodplains. Dinner and overnight in Katavi.
Day 5: Full-Day Safari in Katavi
Experience a full day of game drives in Katavi, which is well-known for its massive herds of buffalo and elephant, as well as impressive gatherings of hippos and crocodiles particularly during the dry season. Dinner and overnight in Katavi.
Day 6: Further Exploration of Katavi
Another day dedicated to exploring Katavi’s remote and unspoiled landscapes. Enjoy the exclusivity of this lesser-visited park. Dinner and overnight in Katavi.
Day 7: Katavi → Mahale Mountains National Park
After breakfast, take a scheduled flight to Mahale. Upon arrival, transfer by boat across Lake Tanganyika to your lodge or camp. Spend the afternoon at leisure relaxing on the beach or swimming in the lake. Dinner and overnight in Mahale.
Day 8: Chimpanzee Trekking in Mahale
Following breakfast, join a guided trek into Mahale’s rainforest in search of wild chimpanzees. Spend time observing these primates in their natural habitat before returning for lunch. The afternoon is free for relaxation. Dinner and overnight in Mahale.
Day 9: Additional Chimpanzee Trek & Lake Activities
Embark on another morning chimpanzee trek. Later, enjoy optional activities such as kayaking, fishing, or simply unwinding on the beach. Dinner and overnight in Mahale.
Day 10: Departure – Mahale → Dar es Salaam/Zanzibar
After breakfast, transfer by boat to the airstrip for your flight back to Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar, concluding your safari adventure.
We handle all logistics, including transfers, accommodations, park fees, and guided tours. Our reviews highlight our reliability, knowledgeable guides, and ability to cater to special needs (e.g., vegan diets). Find out more about us here.
You can view all our tours here and book by clicking the “Request this Trip Now” button. You can also contact us at any time using the details below.
Contact Daigle Tours via:
Email: info@daigletours.com
Phone/WhatsApp: +255 (0) 737 213202 or +255 (0) 753 024590
Online Form: Early booking is recommended to secure your preferred itinerary.
Day Trips: From Arusha or Dar es Salaam, visit parks like Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Saadani, or Mikumi.
Multi-Day Adventures: Options include 3-day Saadani or Mkomazi trips, 5-day Usambara Mountains tours, or 7-day Western Tanzania adventures.
Custom Safaris: Tailored to your preferences, including Serengeti’s Great Migration, Zanzibar extensions, or Kilimanjaro treks.
Daigle Tours, a family-owned company since 2010, specialises in customizable safaris across Tanzania’s Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Circuits. Based in Dar es Salaam, we excel in Southern Tanzania’s less-crowded parks like Nyerere and Ruaha. Our exclusive lodge near Nyerere National Park offers unique wildlife experiences. With experienced guides, top-tier vehicles, and personalised service, we ensure a memorable safari.
Daigle Tours is the first choice for the Southern Circuit because:
- We’re based here – Our head office is in Dar es Salaam so we can easily access the best parks in the region, and we know them inside out.
- Exclusive Safari Lodge in Nyerere National Park (formerly known as Selous) – We own and operate a lodge on the border of Nyerere National Park, so you can enjoy the whole Daigle Tours experience when you stay with us there.
- True Experts – We can’t think of any other safari companies of our size who share our vast knowledge of the region. We can’t wait to show you around our homeland.
10-Day Ruaha, Katavi & Mahale Safari
STARTING FROM (per person, in USD)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
INCLUSIONS: Park Fees
All Activities (Unless labelled as optional)
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day program)
Drinking Water (On all days)
All Accommodation (during the safari)
One-way Airport Transfer
Professional Driver/Guide
All Transportation (Unless labelled as optional)
All Taxes/VAT
EXCLUSIONS: International Flights (From/to home)
Additional Accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (Tipping Guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal Items (Souvenirs, Travel Insurance, Visa Fees, etc.)
Government Imposed Increase of Taxes and/or Park Fees
* Indicative costs per person
Why Visit Western Tanzania?
Western Tanzania is wild, remote, and utterly authentic — the ultimate off-the-grid adventure. Track chimpanzees in Mahale and Katavi’s untouched wilderness, walk with habituated troops in ancient forests, and feel like the only person on the planet, expertly guided by Daigle Tours.
Why the Western Circuit Stands Out:
