Exploring the Southern Highlands & Lake Tanganyika

This trip combines pure wilderness and luxury in one. Spend relaxing days at the shores of Lake Tanganyika, see chimpanzees in the wild & remote mountain area of Mahale Mountains National Park and spot lions in the amazing Ruaha National Park in Southern Tanzania. Three different landscapes - one country! This is a special trip for those who like to wander apart touristic paths.

Karibu Tanzania! Welcome to Tanzania!

We are happy to guide you on an amazing trip to the remote and wild Western Tanzania. You will discover the wildlife of Ruaha National Park, enjoy some relaxing days at Lake Tanganyika and you experience once in a lifetime moments on your chimpanzee trekking in the Mahale Mountains National Park. Ready for Africa? Your adventure is about to start …                                                                                                 

Day 1          Heading to Western Tanzania

Welcome to Tanzania – you made it! Early in the morning you head off to the airport and leave Dar es Salaam at 07h00 to Mpanda. The flight takes 01h45, our driver awaits you at the airport and will drive you to Lake Shore Lodge on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. You stay in a Luxury Chalet with en-suite bathroom and your own private deck built into the waters of Lake Tanganyika. Time to relax from a long flight and to treat yourself with some luxury.                                                               

Day 2 - 4      It`s peaceful, it`s quit – it`s Lake Shore Lodge

Good morning and welcome to a little piece of paradise at the end of the road. At Lake Shore you can be as active as you like: Kayaking, Scuba Diving, Water-skiing, and more is waiting for you. Go for a swim or on a snorkelling trip to one of the islands – many endemic species of cichlids and amazing rock formations can be seen. Treat yourself with a massage or take a walk up to the “Old Monastery” Tanzania`s oldest inland church. A sunset cruise is included in your itinerary … what is better than a cruise having a sundowner drink on the world`s longest lake and a campfire at the private beach. Okay, probably two sundowner drinks …

#luxury chalet #full board #sunset cruise #additional activities & massage #transfers included #free wifi #cocktail bar #soul food #barefoot adventure

 Day 5 - 7    It`s time to get excited …

… as there`s a once in a lifetime experience waiting for you. In the morning you take a charter flight from Kipili Airstrip close to Lake Shore Lodge to the Mahale Mountains National Park. This is one of only two places in Tanzania where you can see our closest neighbours, Chimpanzees. You will spend two full days in the upmarket Mbali Mbali Lodge. Having the wild jungle behind and the waters of Lake Tanganyika in front of you, this is really a place to be. The rangers will take you on two chimp trekkings and you can spend up to one hour a day with these amazing animals in their natural environment. After your trekking you return to camp, grab a drink, and enjoy the sunset over the mountains of the DRC on the other side of Lake Tanganyika.

#upmarket lodge #full board ##chimp trekking #boat trip #transfer & flights included #soft drinks #mahalemountains                        

Day 8          Time to say goodbye

Again it`s time to say farewell to Mahale Mountains. By boat you are going back to the Airstrip and then take a charter flight to your next adventurous destination; Ruaha National Park. Ruaha is Tanzania`s biggest National Park (Right, it`s not the Serengeti!) and home to elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions and many more. You will stay at the luxurious Ruaha River Lodge where you can see elephants from the sundowner deck.

Day 9 - 10  Remote luxury

The wider Ruaha area hosts 10% of the world's lion population and has been a Lion Conservation Unit since 2005. The “Ruaha River Camp” is your luxury base to explore the National Park on game drives, to spot lions and all kind of wildlife. Spend your days out in the wild and enjoy the stunning landscape before you return to camp. For sure there`s a campfire going in the evening. Time for a drink and a chat, to exchange stories and make new friends.

#luxury camp #full board #game drives #transfer & flights included #wildlife                                                                                                    

Day 11       Returning home …

… but maybe not forever? From the Ruaha Airstrip Safari Airlink will fly you back to Dar es Salaam Airport. Here in the “House of Peace” (that`s what Dar es Salaam means in Arabic) you might like to stay for a while to discover the bustling Kariakoo Market or the beaches around town. Or add some more days in Zanzibar. We are happy to help you planning your further stay.

REDUCED PRICE PER PERSON!

TOTAL price per person $ 5,990.- 5 Jan to 28 Feb / 1 Nov to 20 Dec) | $ 6,890.- 1 Jun to 31 Oct / 21 Dec to 4 Jan)

The trip includes all park entrance & concession fees, flights & transfers in Tanzania, 1% bed night levy and 18% VAT. Not included are flights from/to Tanzania. Transfer from Dar es Salaam Airport and hotel in Dar es Salaam can be organized on request. Flight schedules might change.

A deposit of 75% is to be received within 10 days of the booking date to fully confirm a booking. Full payment is to be received no later than 30 days prior to arrival. For bookings later than 30 days prior to arrival, payment is due immediately. Until the booking is confirmed we will hold the booking as provisional. Costs for domestic flights and accommodation at properties other than Lake Shore Lodge & Campsite are not refundable.

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