Western Tanzania Holidays

What can you find in Western Tanzania that you won't find anywhere else?

When it comes to animal encounters, Western Tanzania holidays offer a wild, unspoilt, remote corner of Africa that’s far from the tourist circuit. Two lesser-travelled national parks dominate the region: Mahale Mountains National Park and Katavi National Park. Mahale is best known for its dense population of primates and it’s one of the finest places on the planet for one-on-one encounters with chimpanzees. Getting up close with humans’ closest relatives is arguably the ultimate wildlife experience and there’s something truly enchanting about observing them in Mahale with no one else around, where you can spend a compelling hour watching chimps of all sizes eat, forage and play. Mahale is also notorious for its untamed phenomenal beauty, nestled between the Lake Tanganyikan shoreline and the emerald Mahale Mountains. Fill up your camera with shots of chimpanzees, then trek back to your lodge for lunch before fishing, swimming or taking a dhow lake cruise. Katavi National Park is another lesser-visited African safari gem. Thought to have the greatest density of mammals in any Tanzanian reserve, Katavi is also home to some of the largest herds of buffalo in the world. This, plus an astounding array of habitats, make for a wonderful safari; seek out jostling hippos in muddy pools, spy leopards watching you from woodland fringes, capture mammoth herds of buffalo grazing on vast plains and see crocodiles burrowed in small riverside caves. For travel kudos, Western Tanzania holidays are serious high scorers.

Who is Western Tanzania best for?

Wildlife enthusiasts, behold: Western Tanzania holidays offer the sort of off-grid animal encounters that are a big deal in safari circles. Enjoy game drives where you’ll see more wild animals than people in Katavi and spend time up-close with chimpanzees in Mahale Mountains National Park with not another person in sight. This is major bucket list stuff. Adventure junkies and explorers will be in their element on treks through thick emerald forests, wild camping in the depths of the Tanzanian wilderness, or sailing Lake Tanganyikan surrounded by unspoilt beauty.

Special things to do in Western Tanzania

Go on an overnight fly camping safari

Sleep under the twinkling African sky with only a mat and mosquito net for comfort. A guide will help you set up camp in a secret spot in Katavi National Park and whip up dinner, then leave you to relax and feel more connected to nature than ever before.

Observe chimpanzees in their natural habitat

Cross valleys, rivers and forests in search of wild chimpanzees in Mahale Mountains National Park. With the help of expert trackers, you’ll finally reach our wild relatives for one of the best ‘can’t believe your eyes’ moments ever, and exclusive viewing makes for an even more unforgettable experience.