These are two of the most iconic parks in Africa. Katavi is about faraway, expeditionary safari experiences. Mahale takes you further off the map, to meet our chimpanzee cousins in the epic Mahale Mountains. It’s a long, long way away, but then the best places often are.
Put simply, this is the pinnacle of wilderness.
Greystoke
Chada
Charlie, Ugalla
This is one of Tanzania’s most remote and untouched corners. This rugged national park is one of the best kept safari secrets of East Africa – superb game experience without the crowds. This is one of the final frontiers and very little has changed since Nomad first arrived here all those years ago.
Five hundred miles west of Arusha , this part of Tanzania offers vanishingly few tourists and unrivalled wildlife. Vast herds of buffalo roam in the shimmering heat of Katavi’s plains, as well as elephant, lion, leopard, crocodiles and hippo and rare antelope like sable and roan. Hundreds of hippo gather in limited water sources in the dry season, and aestivating crocodiles congregate in river bank caves.
Deep in the heart of Katavi, Chada overlooks the wide Chada Plains and is a hub of wildlife activity, particularly elephants in the dry season.
Our camp is a classic expeditionary bush camp that has stayed true to its adventurous spirit and not too much has changed since the very early days. Chada is only open for six months of the year from June to November and everyone should be clambering over themselves to get here – it really is worth it.
Back in the late 80’s original Nomad folk, Roland and Zoe Purcell, were flying low over a stretch of wilderness that went as far as they eye could see. They recall endless herds of buffalo and landed their plane nearby. They set up camp for the night on the edge of the great Chada Plain and from here they ventured into this unknown landscape. And the rest is history.
Recommended stay: 3 nights
Expect to pay: $825 - $1,075 per person per night
This is a chimpanzee paradise and magical place to explore. Visiting Mahale takes you off the map completely. Mahale is over 500 miles from Arusha but only a short hop from its western cousin, Katavi. Just one of the reasons these destinations combine so well.
Come on a legendary journey to meet the most privileged primates on the planet: the wild chimpanzees of Mahale and the trackers, guides and helpers who share their leafy Nirvana. In the forest’s dappled sunlight, chimpanzees romp and commune around Greystoke Mahale. At the lakeshore, on a white beach, Greystoke safari lodge opens its shaggy arms, hewn from vintage dhows, proffering yet another level of pleasure to all intrepid guests.
Expect to pay: $1,070 - $2,250 per person per night
Katavi and Mahale are spectacularly remote and well over 500kms from Arusha which makes access challenging. We operate our own shared charter flights from and back to Arusha for guests staying at Chada and/or Greystoke. We have flights operating on Mondays and Thursdays so your camp arrivals must fall on these days.
We tailor all our safaris to your particular requirements, but we understand that it's useful to have an idea of what works best, what’s available and a ballpark cost. Have a flick through our safari itineraries and get in touch to get the ball rolling.
Yes absolutely, Tanzania has superb transport links from the mainland to Zanzibar as well as neighbouring islands too. Many travellers choose to spend some time in the wild on safari before heading to the coast for some R&R.
Yes, some camps have minimum age limits, in camp and especially on walking safaris. But there are many brilliant private or family properties that can tailor the age restrictions.
Many people underestimate how immersive a safari experience is. Time in the bush can be tiring – most mornings you will be up before sunrise as the wild wakes up your day continues into long evenings spent under the stars. If you’re travelling with children, we always recommend a private guide and exclusive vehicle (included as standard with Nomad) that means a lie in here and there is always possible.
There is no rule for the number of days on safari but we would recommend taking your time in each location and not rushing through safari parks. Give yourselves time to stop and immerse yourself in the area. Many travellers consider a pit stop at the beaches of Zanzibar or Mafia Island to re-charge post safari and before they head back to the real world.
The transport networks in Tanzania are very good with internal flight schedules across the country. It is possible to fly into the parks and land at one of the bush airstrips. From there, most lodges will arrange for a transfer journey from airstrip to the lodge. Depending on the lodge location, this can vary in journey time. Or, if you opt for a driving safari in northern Tanzania, your guide (included as standard with Nomad) will transport you from location to location.
The cost of a safari does vary, from simple bush camps or tented camps to high-end luxury or private houses. In Tanzania, there is a wide spectrum of accommodation allowing travellers to mix and match, building tailormade itineraries to suit a budget. Specialist tour operators are able to advise on the best options for your budget. Included in the safari cost is access to the wild, expert guides and unique experiences.
Always take a good pair of binoculars. And slow down. Take time to enjoy and area or the safari camps. There is sometimes nothing more special than spending the afternoon or early morning on your veranda and letting the wildlife come to you.
Usually it is 15kg per person in a soft-sided bag. This is not a hard and fast rule so do check with your tour operator or aviation company. These are small bush planes, and is a good way of making sure you pack light.
Yellow Fever vaccinations are required if you are arriving from endemic countries. Other recommended vaccinations include tetanus, diptheria, polio, hepatitis A and typhoid. You will also need to consider hepatitis B and malaria prevention medicines. In all cases, you must seek advice from your medical professional.
