Off the Beaten Track Safari in Tanzania
This exhilarating safari offers a deep dive into Tanzania’s most remote and pristine wilderness areas, blending the raw beauty of untouched landscapes with exceptional wildlife experiences. From the lesser-traveled Katavi National Park to the primate paradise of Mahale Mountains National Park, and concluding in the vast Selous Game Reserve, this journey provides a comprehensive and immersive Tanzanian adventure.
Brief Itinerary - Off the Beaten Track Safari
| Day | Place | Highlights | Hotel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Kilimanjaro Airport | Arrival & transfer to your Hotel | Arusha Coffee Lodge |
| 2 | Fly to Katavi National Park | Travel to Katavi National Park | Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge |
| 3 - 4 | Katavi National Park | Full Days in Katavi National Park | Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge |
| 5 | Katavi - Mahale Mountains National Park | Travel to Mahale Mountains National Park | Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge |
| 6 - 8 | Mahale Mountains National Park | Full Days in Mahale Mountains National Park | Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge |
| 9 | Mahale Mountains - Arusha | Travel to Arusha | Arusha Coffee Lodge |
| 10 | Arusha - Selous Game Reserve | Travel to Selous Game Reserve | Sand Rivers Selous Camp |
| 11 | Selous Game Reserve | Full Days in Selous Game Reserve | Sand Rivers Selous Camp |
| 12 | Selous Game Reserve - Dar-es-salaam | Travel to Dar-es-salaam for departure | N/A |
$ Pricing
| Travel Date | Price per person | Single Room Supplement |
|---|---|---|
| Green Season 1st June - 31st October 2025 15th December - 29th February 2025 | 2 Pax USD 17,562.00 4 Pax USD 17,526.00 6 Pax USD 17,508.00 | USD 23,226.00 |
| Low Season 1st March - 31st May 2025 1st November - 15th December 2025 | 2 Pax USD 14,574.00 4 Pax USD 14,532.00 6 Pax USD 14,520.00 | USD 17,382.00 |
*The minimum participating age for chimpanzee trekking as determined by TANAPA is 12 years old
*WESTERN CIRCUIT – TANZANIA, MBALIMBALI KATAVI – Mbali Mbali shared charter is offered to Katavi Airstrip on Monday and Thursday with a minimum of 4 seats from June – October.
*WESTERN CIRCUIT – TANZANIA, MBALIMBALI MAHALE – Mbali Mbali shared charter is offered to Mahale Airstrip on Monday and Thursday with a minimum of 4 seats from June – October.
Other Information
- Arrival and departure transfers in Arusha.
- Return airstrip transfers within all national parks and reserves as specified.
- All safari activities as detailed in the
- Services of an English-speaking driver/guide at the various parks and reserves.
- All park entrance and concession fees.
- 1 night at Arusha Coffee Lodge on a bed
- 3 nights at Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge on
- 4 nights at Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge on a full-board basis.
- 4 nights at Sand Rivers Selous Camp on a full board basis.
- Local beers, a selection of spirits, house wines, soft drinks, and water (excluding Arusha Coffee Lodge).
- Game drives in a 4×4 vehicle on a shared basis in Katavi.
- Daily chimpanzee trekking in Mahale.
- One boat safari in Mahale, with options to:
- See the hippos, take a short river cruise, and try local freshwater fishing.
- Visit the neighbouring fishing village of Katumbi for a cultural tour.
- Combine both activities with an additional boat safari.
- Birding and forest walks in Mahale.
- Emergency evacuation insurance.
- One-way shared charter flights as follows:
- Arusha to Katavi National Park.
- Katavi National Park to Mahale National Park.
- Mahale National Park to Selous Game Reserve.
- Selous Game Reserve to Arusha (scheduled flight with Safari Air Link)
- Internal flights to and from Tanzania.
- Personal travel and medical insurance coverage.
- Tips and gratuities for drivers, guides, and hotel staff.
- Costs resulting from changes to the itinerary.
- Any additional expenses not explicitly mentioned in the itinerary.
PRE- or POST Safari Extensions: We offer wonderful pre- or post- Safari extensions to a variety of National parks & game reserves.
- 4 Days Magical Maasai Mara
- 3 Days Amboseli National Park
- 3 Days Samburu National Park
Leah Njeri
Tour Consultant+254 733 888042
Key
| BB | Bed & Breakfast |
| Half Board: | 2 Meals per day (Breakfast / Dinner) |
| Full Board: | 3 Meals per day (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) |
| Eco-status: | Indicates the Environmentally friendly/ sustainable approach of the hotel |
| Eco-friendly status: | Bronze: | Silver: | Gold: |
Detailed Itinerary - Off the Beaten Track Safari
Day 1
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by a local representative and transferred by private vehicle to Arusha Coffee Lodge. Located on the outskirts of Arusha and set within a lush coffee estate, the lodge offers a tranquil setting to unwind after your journey. You can choose to relax in your charming cottage, explore the coffee plantation with a guided tour, or enjoy a leisurely evening at the lodge’s serene gardens and restaurant. Overnight at Arusha Coffee Lodge (BB)
Accommodation
Arusha Coffee Lodge
Hotel Type: Luxury Suburban Lodge
Location
Rooms
Facilities/Amenities
Meal Plan: Boarding Only
Day 2
Arusha to Katavi National Park
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by a local representative and transferred by private vehicle to Arusha Coffee Lodge. Located on the outskirts of Arusha and set within a lush coffee estate, the lodge offers a tranquil setting to unwind after your journey. You can choose to relax in your charming cottage, explore the coffee plantation with a guided tour, or enjoy a leisurely evening at the lodge’s serene gardens and restaurant. Overnight at Arusha Coffee Lodge (BB)
Accommodation
Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge
Hotel Type: Luxury Lodge
Location
Rooms
Facilities/Amenities
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 3 - 4
Katavi National Park
Spend the next two days exploring the wild and untamed beauty of Katavi, one of Tanzania’s most remote national parks. This area is renowned for its large herds of buffalo and elephants, abundant hippo pods, and excellent predator sightings, including lion and leopard. Morning and afternoon game drives will take you across the plains, along seasonal rivers, and into woodland habitats. The lodge also offers bush walks and sundowner experiences to enhance your connection with this truly untouched wilderness. Overnight at Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge (GP)
Accommodation
Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge
Hotel Type: Luxury Lodge
Location
Rooms
Facilities/Amenities
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 5
Fly to Mahale Mountains National Park
After breakfast, board a chartered flight to Mahale Mountains National Park, one of the most isolated and extraordinary destinations in Africa. Upon landing, you will be transferred by traditional dhow boat along the shores of Lake Tanganyika to reach Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge. In the afternoon, enjoy your first guided chimpanzee trek or opt for a relaxed forest walk along the lakeshore. Overnight at Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge (GP)
Accommodation
Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge
Hotel Type: Luxury Lodge
Location
Rooms
Facilities/Amenities
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 6 - 8
Mahale Mountains National Park
Spend three full days immersed in the remarkable landscapes of the Mahale Mountains. Each day offers opportunities to track wild chimpanzees in their natural habitat, guided by expert trackers through lush tropical forests. Beyond the primates, you can enjoy kayaking, boat safaris, snorkeling, fishing, or simply relaxing on the sandy beaches of Lake Tanganyika. The combination of dense jungle, clear blue waters, and rich biodiversity makes this a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Overnight at Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge (GP)
Accommodation
Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge
Hotel Type: Luxury Lodge
Location
Rooms
Facilities/Amenities
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 9
Fly to Arusha
Depart Mahale by boat and fly to the Selous Game Reserve (now part of Nyerere National Park), the largest protected wildlife area in Africa. On arrival, enjoy a scenic game drive enroute to Sand Rivers Selous Camp, a beautiful riverside lodge that blends luxury with rustic charm. After settling in, you may choose to join an afternoon game drive or unwind at the lodge while observing wildlife along the Rufiji River. Overnight at Sand Rivers Selous Camp (GP)
Accommodation
Arusha Coffee Lodge
Hotel Type: Luxury Suburban Lodge
Location
Rooms
Facilities/Amenities
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 10 - 11
Fly to Selous Game Reserve
Explore the diverse ecosystems of Selous with a choice of daily activities, including classic game drives, walking safaris, and boat excursions. The reserve is known for its rich variety of wildlife, including elephants, lions, wild dogs, and a wide array of birdlife. The walking safaris offer an intimate perspective on the flora and fauna, while river cruises provide a relaxing yet thrilling way to observe animals along the water’s edge. Overnight at Sand Rivers Selous Camp (GP)
Accommodation
Sand Rivers Selous Camp
Hotel Type: Luxury Lodge
Location
The lodge is located in the Selous Game Reserve in the south of Tanzania and is easily reached by light aircraft from Dar es Salaam, just a 45 minute flight. The camp is located further west than the other properties in the reserve in a slightly quieter area, with direct access to boating safari up to Steiglers Gorge as well as walking safari from the camp. The camp is positioned on the banks of the river under the shade of trees.
The main area of the lodge is raised, with fantastic views down onto the river here there’s plenty of hippo and other game activity. The main area is open faced with thatched roof and stone floors, a communal pool off to the side and plenty of areas to relax in the afternoon.
Rooms
Accommodation at Sand Rivers is in spacious open-fronted cottages raised on the banks of the Rufiji River. All have en-suite bathrooms, with flush toilets, powerful showers and hot and cold running water. See the following page for more details on the different room types.
Standard Riverside Rooms: There are five standard rooms. All the rooms are open-fronted and set up on platforms with spectacular views out over the river and surrounding woodlands. En-suite bathrooms have hot and cold running water, flush toilets and powerful showers
Hillside Suites: There are three hillside suites. All the rooms are open-fronted, raised and have a lounge area, en-suite bathrooms, powerful showers and private plunge pools.
Facilities/Amenities
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 12
Selous Game Reserve
After a final morning activity or leisurely breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your scheduled flight to Dar es Salaam. Upon arrival, you will be assisted with your onward international departure, marking the end of an extraordinary safari through Tanzania’s most remote and captivating landscapes.
End of Services!
Accommodation
Sand Rivers Selous Camp
Hotel Type: Luxury Lodge
Location
The lodge is located in the Selous Game Reserve in the south of Tanzania and is easily reached by light aircraft from Dar es Salaam, just a 45 minute flight. The camp is located further west than the other properties in the reserve in a slightly quieter area, with direct access to boating safari up to Steiglers Gorge as well as walking safari from the camp. The camp is positioned on the banks of the river under the shade of trees.
The main area of the lodge is raised, with fantastic views down onto the river here there’s plenty of hippo and other game activity. The main area is open faced with thatched roof and stone floors, a communal pool off to the side and plenty of areas to relax in the afternoon.
Rooms
Accommodation at Sand Rivers is in spacious open-fronted cottages raised on the banks of the Rufiji River. All have en-suite bathrooms, with flush toilets, powerful showers and hot and cold running water. See the following page for more details on the different room types.
Standard Riverside Rooms: There are five standard rooms. All the rooms are open-fronted and set up on platforms with spectacular views out over the river and surrounding woodlands. En-suite bathrooms have hot and cold running water, flush toilets and powerful showers
Hillside Suites: There are three hillside suites. All the rooms are open-fronted, raised and have a lounge area, en-suite bathrooms, powerful showers and private plunge pools.
Facilities/Amenities
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 13
Fly to Dar-es-salaam
Today you will need to rise up early and have breakfast ready to be transferred at your airstrip by 0830 Hrs to catch your flight departing at 0915 Hrs and arriving in DAR-ES-SALAAM at 1005 Hrs. On arrival connect locally to the international terminal.
END OF SERVICES!
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