TANZANIA
SERENGETI & MAHALE NATIONAL PARK. BIG 5 AND CHIMPANZEES
Serengeti & Mahale National Parks
TANZANIA
SUMMARY
Duration: 7 nights / 8 days
Reserves/Parks: Serengeti & Mahale Mountains National Park
Level: Luxury Bush Camps & Lodges
Period: All year except Apr & May
3 Nights: Lamai Serengeti
4 Nights: Greystoke Mahale
ITINERARY IN BRIEF
Day 1: Flight Kilimanjaro to Kogatende
Transfer by Lamai Serengeti
Overnight: 3 nights Lamai Serengeti
Day 4: Transfer to Kogatende airstrip
Charter Flight Kogatende to Mahale
Boat transfer to the Lodge
Overnight: 4 nights Greystoke Mahale
Day 8: Boat transfer to Mahale airstrip
Shared Charter Flight Mahale to Arusha
ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
2 safari game viewing activities per person per day
Game Drives
Walking Safaris
One full day chimp trek
Kayaking,
Forest walks
Boating.
SERENGETI & MAHALE NATIONAL PARK. BIG 5 AND CHIMPANZEES
OVERVIEW
Tanzania Safari, combining the wildlife of famous Serengeti National Park with the wild chimpanzees in the highlands and mountains of the Mahale Mountain National Park.
HIGHLIGHTS
Tanzania
Lake Tanganyika.
Katavi National Park
Mahale Mountain National Park
Unfenced wilderness bush camps
Big 5
Wild Chimpanzees
Game drives
Safari walks
Boats trips
Mountain forests
Remote and untouched, there is nothing but wilderness for miles and miles and where you can see chimpanzees in the wild!
The MAHALE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. is one of the only places left in the world where you can see chimpanzees in the wild and spend time with a small group.
In the Mahale Mountains, there are still no roads and all you will find are forest paths and tracks made by animals over the years. This, and the fact that the only practical way of reaching camp is by boat, add to the sense of seclusion here.
Flying in over the northern end of the mountains, you'll see nothing for many many miles and only small villages and local fishermen in dhows dotted along the lake shore.
THE SERENGETI
The Serengeti - no introductions are really required!
Like a scene from a movie, the magnificent Serengeti National Park, sleeping under luxury canvas, surrounded by wild bush in unfenced safari camps. Off the beaten track, in the middle of nowhere is exactly how your safari should be.
But dont be fooled. The camps offer a luxury barefoot bush experience, with large walk in safari tents, beautiful furniture, tantalising cuisine and highly professional and experienced rangers to guide you on your African safari adventure!
SERENGETI & MAHALE NATIONAL PARK. BIG 5 AND CHIMPANZEES
LAMAI SERENGETI
Lamai Serengeti sits tucked amongst the rocks of the iconic Kogakuria Kopje in the northern Serengeti. There are panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and it's just a few miles from where the wildebeest cross the Mara River. For roughly a quarter of the year, between late July and October, this is where you'll find the migration, right on your doorstep.
Each of the 12 rooms to fit into the complex geometry of the kopje and its views, natural space and light. These are split between two entirely separate lodges, the Main Lodge of eight rooms and our smaller Private Lodge of four rooms. All the rooms have their own spacious verandas and en-suite bathrooms with flush toilets and running hot and cold water.
Each lodge has a separate bar and dining area, with adjoining library and map room and swimming pool.
Throughout the year, we use 4WD vehicles to explore the intricacies of the area, both south of the Mara River and (state of the river permitting) to the north, and we're also able to offer short walking safaris from here subject to seasonal conditions. And of course with a location like this, one of the best ways to take in the Serengeti is literally from the expansive verandah of your room, tucked away in amongst the red rocks of the kopje.
The rooms are designed not only to maximise the panoramic views, but also to give a window onto life on the kopje which you can watch unobserved. In short, at Lamai, you can be as busy as you like with game activities, or as lazy as you like enjoying the Serengeti from your room or the swimming pool.
Includes - all meals, house drinks, laundry and shared activities (4x4 game drives and short walks - walks are seasonal)*
SERENGETI & MAHALE NATIONAL PARK. BIG 5 AND CHIMPANZEES
GREYSTOKE MAHALE CAMP
Greystoke Mahale is like no where else on earth. The iconic jungle chic lodge sits on a pristine, white sandy beach overlooking the gin-clear turquoise water of Lake Tanganyika in far-flung western Tanzania. The forested slopes of the 8000ft Mahale Mountains rise dramatically behind and, across the water, you can often see the mountains of the Congo, some 60kms away.
The camp has just six wood and thatch bandas set on the beach at the edge of the forest line at the base of the mountains. Each one has an en-suite bathroom accessible by a short boardwalk, with hot and cold running water, strong showers and flush toilets. Each room also has a dressing room and upstairs chill-out deck.
Dining is in the main mess banda on the beach and sundowners can be enjoyed in the bar on the rocks at the end of the beach.
The main mess is the only structure on the beach and it's the focal point of camp.
Your days start at the main mess; eating breakfast whilst waiting to hear news of the whereabouts of the chimps and deciding what to do with your day.
There are many activities to enjoy as well as the chimp trekking; boat trips down the lake in search of hippo and birdlife, kayaking on the gin-clear water, gentle forest walks or a lazy afternoon on the beach.
Evenings end with sundowners on the rocks of the headland, where drinks are served around the lamp-lit bar whilst the mountains, rising behind camp, disappear into the darkness.
Camp Includes - all meals and house drinks, laundry and shared activities including one chimp trek per full day (minimum age 12 years), kayaking, forest walks (minimum age 12 years) and boating
PACKAGES
PACKAGE INCLUDES
Accommodation
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mineral waters
Soft Drinks
House beers
House Spirits
House Wines
2 safari game viewing activities per person per day
Game Drives
Walking Safaris
One Chimp trek per person (full day)
Kayaking
Forest walks
Boating trips
Tea and Coffee
Laundry
Light Air Flights - Safari connection flights between camps
Airstrip - Lodge road transfers
EXCLUDES
International Flights
Regional/Domestic Flights
Visas, travel and medical insurance
All items of a personal nature
Optional activities and fees
All items not specified as included
EOE
Pricing is a guideline only and may depend on the number of guests travelling, travel dates, any special offers that may be applicable to guests travel dates, children's ages, room types and other variations. Contact us for a quote and we will see what Special Deals will be applicable for you.
TAILOR MADE, JUST FOR YOU!
We can also TAILOR MADE a package based on your specific requirements.
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If this option doesnt suit your budget, interests or wishes, contact us and let us know what you are looking for and we will quote you based on your particular requirements.
BEST TIME TO GO
This safari combination is available all year round except April and May
HOW TO GET THERE
International Flights to Dar es Salaam or Nairobi.
Domestic flight connection to Arusha
Domestic safari light air flight connection to parks and reserves
Road transfer from airport to your lodge or camp
ITINERARY
DAY 1 | FLY FROM ARUSHA INTO THE SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
Depart Arusha by scheduled flight to the northern Serengeti. This flight is one of the most scenic in Tanzania, soaring past iconic landmarks like Ol Donyo Lengai and the Ngorongoro Crater. Flying over the Serengeti you realise the sheer scale of the seemlingly never ending plains. Our guides will meet you at the airstrip and take you back to Lamai Serengeti.
DAYS 1 - 4 | LAMAI SERENGETI
Get yourself to Lamai between November and March, slow down a little and we'll show you another side to the Serengeti. Unlike the southern plains of the Serengeti that dry out, forcing all but the hardiest of species to leave, this area remains lush and green. There's a collective sigh of relief from the resident game when the one and a half million migrating wildebeest - and the madness that attends them - leave town for a few months. And the resident game at Lamai Serengeti is spectacular. We venture out in custom-built 4x4s, or on foot to explore the winding river lines, rocky outcrops and sweeping plains. If you were to visit just one part of the Serengeti, we really think it ought to be here.
DAY 4 | FLY FROM THE SERENGETI TO MAHALE NATIONAL PARK
Our shared charter flight to Mahale will collect you from the Serengeti. This flight down to Mahale is a long journey, taking about four hours with a refuel stop in Tabora along the way. The arrival into Mahale is pretty unforgettable as you fly low over the mountains and land on the airstrip that sits right on the banks of Lake Tanganyika.
TRAVEL TO GREYSTOKE MAHALE BY TRADITIONAL DHOW
When you arrive at Mahale airstrip our wonderful guides will meet you and take you by boat to Greystoke. This journey takes about an hour and a half and skims along the banks of the impossibly clear lake with the Mahale Mountains rising dramatically from the beach. Coming around the headland and catching site of the iconic Greystoke mess sat on our own patch of white sandy beach is always a memorable moment.
DAYS 4 - 8 | GREYSTOKE MAHALE
We share the mountains and the lake with so many animals, but it's the chimps that really inspire us. Time spent with them is time away from everything else that is ordinary. But, there's more. Hike the forest paths looking for all the other animals who quietly live here. Swim in pools up in mountain waterfalls, take a kayak out for a dawn paddle and enjoy the sunrise coming up over the mountains. Have sundowners on our old wooden dhow or just relax on the warm sands of the beach with a drink in hand.
DAY 8 | FLY BACK FROM MAHALE TO ARUSHA
You will bid farewell to the team at Greystoke and head back to the airstrip by boat in time to catch your scheduled shared charter flight back to Arusha. This flight again stops in Tabora for a refuel stop and arrives in Arusha in the late afternoon, usually in time to connect with any International departures from Kilimanjaro airport.
GALLERY
A TASTE OF THINGS TO COME
Add a Yacht Charter or Island Resort
YACHTS
Yacht Charters
Charter a yacht and explore the islands of the Indian Ocean
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ISLANDS
Island Beach Resorts
Choose from some of the finest island and beach resorts and lodges in the Indian Ocean
