Overview
This 12-day journey heads far from the busy northern circuit. Starting in Dar es Salaam, you travel through Mikumi and the huge elephant country of Ruaha, cross to the remote plains of Katavi and finish with chimpanzee trekking in Gombe Stream on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.
We don't sell fixed packages, so treat this as a starting plan. Our guides know these southern and western parks well, and we will work with you to choose the parks, pace and lodges that suit your time and budget.
Browse our guides to Ruaha and Nyerere, or contact us to start planning your route.
| Accommodation | Confirmed together with you — see the Rates tab for general comfort levels we work with. |
|---|---|
| Meals | Full board on safari days; meals as specified for any city/beach nights, per your final itinerary. |
Day by Day (12 days)
ARRIVAL IN DAR ES SALAAM
Your Abakombe Tours guide meets you outside customs at Julius Nyerere International Airport and drives you into the city. In the evening you meet at the hotel for a pre-safari briefing and equipment check.
Overnight at Harbour View Suites, half board.
DRIVE TO MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK
Your driver-guide collects you in the morning for the roughly five-hour drive from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi National Park. The afternoon is spent on game drives looking for buffalo, giraffe, elephant, lion, zebra, leopard, crocodile, impala, hippo and even pythons.
Overnight at Vuma Hill Tented Lodge, full board.
MIKUMI TO RUAHA NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast you set off on the drive of about six hours to Ruaha National Park. The route passes farms and villages and gives fine views of the Great Rift Valley.
Overnight at Ruaha River Lodge, full board.
FULL DAY IN RUAHA NATIONAL PARK
A whole day of game drives with a picnic lunch in the bush. Ruaha covers about 10,300 sq km and is one of Tanzania's largest parks, known for its huge elephant population. Look out for buffalo, greater kudu, Grant's gazelle, wild dog, ostrich, roan and sable antelope, and more than 400 kinds of birds. The Great Ruaha River runs along the park's eastern side and draws hippos, crocodiles and water birds.
Overnight at Ruaha River Lodge, full board.
RUAHA TO MBEYA VIA IRINGA
After breakfast you leave Ruaha and drive through Iringa to Mbeya, with a packed lunch along the way.
Overnight at Utengule Coffee Lodge, full board.
MBEYA TO SUMBAWANGA
Today you continue west towards Katavi, stopping for a picnic lunch at a spot chosen by your guide before arriving in Sumbawanga.
Overnight at Monrovia Conference Centre, full board.
GAME DRIVE IN KATAVI NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast you drive into Katavi National Park with a packed lunch for a full day of game viewing in one of Tanzania's most remote parks.
Overnight at Katavi Wildlife Lodge, full board.
SECOND DAY IN KATAVI
Another full day exploring Katavi on game drives, with a picnic lunch at a scenic spot chosen by your guide, before returning to the lodge for the evening.
Overnight at Katavi Wildlife Lodge, full board.
KATAVI TO KIGOMA
After an early breakfast you drive to Kigoma on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, stopping for a picnic lunch on the way.
Overnight at Kigoma Hilltop Lodge, full board.
BOAT TO GOMBE STREAM AND FIRST CHIMP TREK
After breakfast you transfer to the jetty for a fast boat to Gombe Stream National Park. Once checked in at the park bandas or Gombe Forest Lodge, you head out in the afternoon to track chimpanzees.
Overnight at the Gombe bandas, full board.
FULL DAY OF CHIMPANZEE TRACKING IN GOMBE
A full day in the forest tracking chimpanzees, with a packed lunch in the park. At only 52 sq km, Gombe Stream is Tanzania's smallest national park. It became a game reserve in 1943 and a national park in 1968, and it is one of the best places in the country to see chimpanzees. The forest trails are also great for hiking, and you may see red colobus and vervet monkeys, bushbuck, baboons, bush pigs and many birds.
Overnight at the Gombe bandas, full board.
GOMBE TO KIGOMA AND FLIGHT TO DAR ES SALAAM
After breakfast the speedboat takes you back to Kigoma, where you catch a Precision Air flight to Dar es Salaam to connect with your international flight home.
Rates Per Person
The Overview tab explains the accommodation and meal options. Send us your dates and group size for an exact price.
Next: Inclusions →Inclusions
Included
- All accommodations as per itinerary
- All park fees
- Boat safari fees
- All meals whilst on safari
- Mineral water
- Walking Safari
Excluded
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
Getting There
Tour Start & End
This trip starts in Ruaha National Park and ends in Gombe Stream National Park.
Airport Information
Julius Nyerere International Airport (Dar es Salaam) and Kilimanjaro International Airport or Mwanza Airport are the common arrival points for this itinerary, depending on your route.
Transfer Information
We meet you at the airport and handle every transfer between destinations throughout your trip.
Accommodation Before/After
Want an extra night in Arusha, Moshi or Zanzibar before or after your trip? Just ask and we will arrange it.